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By Rabbi Aron Tendler | Series: | Level:

This week’s Haftorah is from Yeshayah, chapters 43 and 44. The Navi contrasts the idol worshipper with Yakov, the servant of G-d. By choosing Israel to be G-d’s nation, we were afforded the unique opportunity of serving G-d in His own home.

The Haftorah begins with G-d’s declaration that we were created for the purpose of proclaiming His praises and mastery. The tools for doing so is nature itself in accordance with G-d’s rules and dictates. After describing the foolishness of those who would replace Him with images fashioned by human hands, G-d reaffirms our selection as His Chosen People. He guarantees that so long as we return to the prescribed service of the Temple, we will be forgiven and redeemed.