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HAFTARAT PARSHAT BESHALACH - From Fear to Song
Even with all the grief and fear, glimpsing a possible end to this war allows us to begin reflecting – on how we got here, how we traversed this journey together, how we remember those who have fallen, how we help those who have been injured, and how we wish to move forward.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VA'ERA - God's Awesome Power in Nature
Va’era opens with the plague of blood at the Nile, exposing Pharaoh’s false divinity & human arrogance. By revealing His power through nature - then & now - God reminds us that we are His junior partners; our efforts have meaning only when humble & directed toward God's service.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT SHEMOT - Three Faces of Redemption
Shemot defines redemption through 3 pillars: the people’s spiritual growth, principled leadership & the selfless courage of hidden heroes. True freedom is won when the nation, its leaders & individuals all work in harmony for the greater good.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYECHI - A Lion in Jerusalem
David’s reign began in Hebron, but it reached its fullest strength only in Jerusalem—when he chose a capital that belonged to everyone, not just his own tribe. Real leadership rises above “us vs. them,” embraces every part of Am Yisrael, and builds unity from a shared center.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYIGASH - Redemption through Unity
In the parsha, Yehuda and Yosef take responsibility to heal a broken family. In the haftara, Yechezkel moves from dry bones (revival) to two sticks (unity), teaching that survival is only step one: redemption requires shared responsibility and bridging divides.
SHABBAT CHANUKAH – Maoz Tzur and Spiritual Resistance: From Gaza to Sydney
Maoz Tzur is our anthem of spiritual resilience, uniting Jews from Gaza to Sydney and across centuries. It tells a meta-narrative of crisis and redemption, affirming our faith even in the darkest of times. Like the hostages in the tunnels, we channel this light today.
CHANUKAH / PARSHAT VAYESHEV - Seeing Our Brothers’ and Sisters' Plight
Chanukah lights must be visible, teaching that spiritual illumination depends on being seen. Chazal link this to Yosef’s pit to show that light & brotherhood are intertwined. True spiritual light & dispelling societal darkness requires that we truly see & care for one another.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYISHLACH - Confrontation and Redemption
R. Soloveitchik taught that Vayishlach reveals the Jew’s destiny: confronting known foes like Esav & hidden enemies like the nameless attacker. The haftara promises that despite pain & persecution, Israel will ultimately endure & justice will prevail.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYETZE - The Divergence of Traditions in Selecting a Haftara
The two traditions for Haftarat Vayetze highlight different facets of Yaakov’s life: Sephardim focus on struggle & integrity, Ashkenazim on loyalty & gratitude. Both invite reflection on how our choices shape our moral path. Yaakov’s complexities mirror our own.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT TOLDOT - Yaakov and Esav, Shoulder to Shoulder
The ancient Yaakov–Esav rivalry in the haftara presaged Jewish–X-ian tensions. Israel's founding shattered the 2,000-year X-ian supersession narrative, signaling a shift toward respect & partnership, as Rambam foresaw Christianity paving the way for global unity in serving God.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH - Leadership and Family
Tens of thousands visit Avraham & Sarah's burial site, a symbol of their enduring legacy built on a balance between communal leadership & family devotion. Avraham proactively nurtured both, guaranteeing his legacy's endurance.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYERA - Loyalty to God and Family
The parsha and haftara both center on promised and nearly lost children, teaching that devotion to God and love of family are not opposing values. True faith means serving God through our families.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT LECH LECHA - Three Engines of Destiny
The haftarah’s “man from the east” symbolizes three forces of redemption: Avraham’s moral leadership, Cyrus’s political support and the Messiah’s divine guidance. Together they show that redemption unfolds through faith, righteous action, and God’s unseen hand in history.
NOACH - Sprouting from the Ashes
After witnessing total destruction, Noach’s despair and drunkenness reflect the human urge to escape pain. Yet God’s call—to rebuild and rejoice—reminds us that healing begins with faith and courage. Even after devastation, we are commanded to hope, rebuild, and believe again.
BERESHIET - A New Beginning Built on Unity and Opportunity
Opening the Torah anew (Bereshiet) after loss requires a mindset of unity and partnership. The letter Bet, which starts the Torah, signifies beyachad (togetherness), essential for creation's endurance. Alef, symbolizing individualism (ani), leads to curse.
SUKKOT - Finding Peace in a Fragile Sukkah
True security is a Divine-human partnership. Sukkot reminds us that peace is elusive, yet by embracing vulnerability and faith (God's control) alongside active human effort (building the sukkah and service), we find courage and create a Z'man Simchateinu.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT HAAZINU - God’s Strength in Our Hands
David’s song in the haftarah for Haazinu shows the partnership bet. human effort & divine aid. Like David, we must act boldly while trusting God’s power. Resilience, courage & initiative, whether in war or daily struggles, are strengthened by recognizing this synergy.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT VAYELECH-SHABBAT SHUVA: To Serve or to Stumble
Hoshea reminds us: God’s ways are life for the righteous but stumbling blocks for those who twist Torah to evade duty. In an age of sacrifice and defense, the Torah demands responsibility. True teshuva means fidelity, courage, and love for all Am Yisrael.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT NITZAVIM - Dressed for Redemption
Yeshayahu uses clothing as a mashal for righteousness and redemption: just as garments protect and express us, so, too, our actions weave our soul’s attire. As we stand before God on Yom HaDin, we must ensure that our spiritual clothing is adorned with ma'asim tovim.
HAFTARAT PARSHAT KI TAVO - Redemption In Its Time, and In an Instant
Isaiah promises redemption “in its time”, yet also hastened.” Which is it? The Talmud resolves: if Israel merits, it will come swiftly; if not, at its set hour. Our duty is to live with hope and readiness, striving through our deeds to tip the scales the bring the Geulah.