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Haftorahs of the Three Weeks - Week 1 - part 1
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The three weeks from the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of Av mark a period of mourning for the Jewish nation called "Bein Hametzarim" (Between the Straits). As we lament the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem during this three week period, they are marked by various mourning customs. One such custom is to include haftorahs (sections of the Prophets) for each week's parashah that are drawn from the books of Jeremiah and Isaiah. These special readings tell of G‑d’s disappointment with Israel’s faithlessness, and the impending doom that would befall them if they would not engage in national teshuvah (repentance). This week we are reading a section known as Divrei Yermiyahu (Jeremiah 1:1–2:3). Today we will focus on the background of the prophet and the introductory section of the book.
- You can find a summary of the Three Weeks here and here
- You can find more in-depth information here and here
- Messianic perspective on the Three Weeks
- An in-depth study on this week's Haftorah from Chabad.org by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
- An in-depth study on this week's Haftorah from YUTorah.org by Rabbi Allen Schwartz