Edited by Tuly Weisz The Bible: The Twelve Prophets First Edition, 2018

Menorah Books An imprint of Koren Publishers Ltd.

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The Israel Bible was produced by Israel365 in cooperation with Teach for Israel and is used with permission from Teach for Israel. All rights reserved.

The English translation was adapted by Israel365 from the JPS Tanakh. Copyright © 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.

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The Israel Bible is a holy book that contains the name of God and should be treated with respect. Table of Contents

iv Credits v Acknowledgements viii Aleph Bet Chart ix Introduction xv Foreward xviii Blessing Before and After Reading theTorah

19 The Book of the Twelve Prophets 21 The Book of Hosea 43 The Book of Joel 53 The Book of Amos 69 The Book of Obadiah 75 The Book of Jonah 83 The Book of Micah 97 The Book of Nahum 105 The Book of Habakkuk 113 The Book of Zephaniah 121 The Book of Haggai 127 The Book of Zechariah 151 The Book of Malachi 159 Biographies of The Israel Bible Scholars 161 Bibliography 172 List of Transliterated Words in The Israel Bible 187 Photo Credits 188 Chart of the Hebrew Months and their Holidays 191 Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors 192 List of Prime Ministers of the State of Israel 193 Prayer for the State of Israel 196 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’s Soldiers 198 Hatikvah iii Credits

Commentary and introductions for The Israel Bible were written by the following scholars:

Bereishit (Genesis): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Shemot (Exodus): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Vayikra (Leviticus): Shira Schechter Bamidbar (Numbers): Shira Schechter Devarim (Deuteronomy): Shira Schechter Yehoshua (Joshua): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Shoftim (Judges): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Shmuel (Samuel): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Melachim (Kings): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Yeshayahu (Isaiah): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Yechezkel (Ezekiel): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Trei Asar (The Twelve Prophets) Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Tehillim (): Rabbi Avi Baumol Mishlei (Proverbs): Ahuva Balofsky Iyov (Job): Alexander Jacob Tsykin Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs): Batya Markowitz Rut (Ruth): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Eicha (Lamentations): Rabbi Noam Shapiro Kohelet (Ecclesiastes): Batya Markowitz Esther (Esther): Batya Markowitz Daniel (Daniel): Batya Markowitz Ezra v’Nechemya (Ezra and Nehemiah): Josh Even-Chen Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles): Alexander Jacob Tsykin Maps Editor: Lorien Balofsky Associate Editor: Shira Schechter Editor: Rabbi Tuly Weisz Production Management: Avishai Magence Commentary Editor: Rabbi Alan Haber Copy Editing: Gross Typesetting: Estie Dishon Cover Design: Tani Bayer Icon Design: Eliyahu Misgav

iv Acknowledgements

Producing a Tanakh is a massive undertaking that requires a tremendous team of “wise students,” as the Hebrew expression goes. The Israel Bible would never have seen the light of day without the herculean efforts of numerous contributors. First and foremost, SHIRA SCHECHTER dedicated several years as associate editor of The Israel Bible and saw the project through from beginning till end. With a perfect balance of meticulousness and fear of Heaven, she carefully supervised all aspects of research, development, editing and production. Shira’s innate appreciation for Hebrew grammar along with her sharp eye and love for the subject matter, can be felt on every page. Thank you to the esteemed scholars who contributed their immense Tanakh knowledge to this groundbreaking initiative: AVI BAUMOL, YAAKOV BEASLEY, SHMUEL JABLON AND ALEXANDER JACOB TSYKIN, AHUVA BALOFSKY, JOSH EVEN-CHEN, and BATYA MARKOWITZ. The breadth of yourTorah scholarship, along with your love for Israel, served as a constant inspiration. I would like to thank the devoted staff of Israel365 for their vast and varied contributions to The Israel Bible in the five years since we naively asked each other, “How hard could it be to create a brand new Tanakh?” First, to LORIEN BALOFSKY who was there in the beginning and designed the first versions of The Israel Bible along with many features of this volume, including the maps. And to all the other creative geniuses: MAAYAN HOFFMAN, TSIVYA FOX, ORLY GIBSON and SHLOMO VILE. To the brilliant strategic team SHIFRA GOLDMEIER, AYAL KELLMAN, STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, SIMONE SOMERS, GILA HALPERN, MAZZ WHITE and CLARINDA YUVIENCO. To the truth- seeking reporters and editors of Breaking Israel News, ABRA FORMAN, ELIYAHU ADAM BERKOWITZ, JONATHAN BENEDEK, RIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER and ELIANA RUDEE. And a special yasher koach to SHLOMO SCHREIBMAN whose acumen enabled this important effort to continue.

v I would also like to acknowledge our “alumni” whose skills and personali- ties shaped The Israel Bible over the years: JILLIAN EZEKIEL, RACHAEL PLATT and ALIZA ABRAHAMOVITZ. A major debt of gratitude is owed to my trusted friends and advisors ROBERT FROHLINGER, RAFI COHEN and ARIEL GOLDBERG, whose wise counsel continues to guide Israel365. Thank you to the faculty of the for the Nations RABBIS SHIMON APISDORF, ELAN ADLER, YISHAI FLEISHER and MOSHE LICHTMAN who taught me a deep appreciation for Eretz Yisrael when I was his student, and SHARON NIV. Teach for Israel made possible the research and writing of The Israel Bible and I would like to thank the board of directors for their years of friendship and encouragement: NOAM LIPSHITZ, SCOTT OSBORNE, MARC SINGER and DAVID SWAGGERTY. I am indebted to the spiritual mentorship of RABBI and DAVID NEKRUTMAN of the Center for Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation for their pioneering work and for contributing the foreward to The Israel Bible. Every page of this volume testifies to the impressive skill of the profes- sionals at Koren Publishers Jerusalem including MATTHEW MILLER, YEHOSHUA MILLER, RABBI AVISHAI MAGENCE, RABBI ALAN HABER, YEHUDIT SINGER, ESTIE DISHON, TANI BAYER and ASHIRAH YOSEFAH of their Menorah imprint. As Israel’s foremost Bible publishers, Koren represents a heritage of excellence and it was an honor to collaborate on this important undertaking with their prodigious staff. Thanks to RABBI BARRY SCHWARTZ and LEIF MILLIKEN for their assistance in providing the well respected New Jewish Publication Society English translation for inclusion in this volume. In addition to its many unique features, The Israel Bible is the firstTanakh to be financed through crowdfunding. I can’t thank enough the close to 1,000 contributors of our online campaign who enthusiastically supported our idea and waited patiently for its publication. While many and non-Jews from all over the world eagerly participated with great generosity, a sincere thank you is to a special and humble friend of Israel from Nigeria. I am greatly appreciative of the gift in honor of EKPE NDIYO EKPE by his loving son. Over the years, I have had many mentors, teachers and rabbis who deeply impacted me and taught me a love for . I have been fortunate to benefit from many, yet would like to thank RABBI ZEVULUN CHARLOP, dean of

vi the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for our private study sessions and his enthusiasm for my work in general and this initiative in particular. I would like to acknowledge the influence of my two grandfathers, RABBI DAVID STAVSKY AND GEORGE WEISZ, both of blessed memory. In very different ways, my grandfathers equally taught invaluable lessons of hard work and self-sacrifice on behalf ofTorah . My grandmothers, PEPPI WEISZ and RUTH STAVSKY and ROSALIND DOMBROFF have assumed the role of beloved matriarchs to our family, and should be blessed with longevity. My in-laws, RHONDA and DR. TOM WEISS, are like parents to me and have provided loving encouragement and much appreciated support. They should see much “nachas” from all their children and grandchildren. I would like to thank my own precious children who were my real inspiration for The Israel Bible. Feeding off their wide-eyed enthusiasm in learning the holy words of the Torah in school — and in Hebrew no less — I felt invigorated to immerse myself in our ancient heritage. With eternal gratitude to Hashem, I am fortunate for the opportunity each day “to teach these words to my children,” SHAINDEE, BELLA, DOVID, TZOFIA and AMITAI. My ultimate thanks are reserved for my beloved wife, ABBY, for her steadfast support. Anything I have achieved is to her credit. Certainly, that is true for The Israel Bible, which only came about through her guiding our family to fulfilling our dream of making . May all the blessings that emerge from the study of The Israel Bible reward her with her innermost prayer: that our children always embrace the eternal values of the Torah of Israel. Finally, all my colleagues in producing this volume join me in offering our profound thanksgiving to the Almighty for permitting us to help spread love for the Land and the People of Israel. May the God of Israel continue His blessings so that The Israel Bible shapes the minds and hearts of all His children for generations to come.

Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz Ramat , Israel Shevat 5778 / February 2018

vii Aleph Bet Chart

viii Introduction

The is commonly known as the Tanakh which stands for Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Neviim (the Prophets) and (the Writings). The Tanakh consists of 24 books that are considered by Jews to be the word of God. While these books have been referred to as the “Old Testament,” many Jews reject this label since it implies the replacement of the Hebrew Bible with something newer and prefer the more authentic Jewish name. The Tanakh is not only the most important book known to man, it is God’s word that is perfect and absolute. It is therefore a daunting undertaking to publish an edition of the Tanakh, and the responsibilities are awesome. There is no room for error or carelessness in dealing with the eternal word of God. Further, upon embarking on such a serious initiative, we ask ourselves if our efforts are gratuitous. Considering the many editions of the Bible in print, is there truly a need for yet another one? While there are numerous Bibles in circulation today, its most central aspect — the – has often been overlooked. References to Israel appear on nearly every page, and the city of Jerusalem is specifically referred to hundreds of times throughout the Bible. The essential link between Israel and Torah is emphasized repeatedly in verses such as, “For instruction (Torah) shall come forth from Tzion, the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim” (Micah 4:2). The miraculous return of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel in our own generation, and the celebration of the State of Israel’s 70th anniversary this year provides the perfect moment for a new volume to fill this void in biblical literature. The Israel Bible includes many special features elucidating God’s focus on Israel throughout Tanakh and there are many additional, multimedia features available on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE. COM.

ix Ordering and Presentation — In presenting The Israel Bible, our goal is to spread awareness of the biblical significance of the Land of Israel as well as the Jewish people’s eternal connection to the land, based on the text of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. We aim to honor “the God, the People and the Land of Israel” from an Orthodox Jewish perspective. To that end, The Israel Bible follows the traditional Jewish ordering of the books and the customary Hebrew division of chapters. Therefore, for example, we count 24 books of Tanakh with Sefer Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) appearing last. It is our hope that our rich content will speak to all Jews and non-Jews who appreciate Israel as the God given land of the Jewish people.

English Translation — Throughout history, Jews have studied the Bible in Hebrew, as any form of translation would miss much of the nuance of the original holy tongue in which Torah has been transmitted since the days of Moses. However, as many Jews settled in America in the 19th Century, the need for an English translation became necessary. To be sure, there were already English translations prepared over the centuries by Christians, but in the words of the original editors of the Jewish Publication Society (JPS), “The cannot afford to have his Bible translation prepared for him by others. He cannot have it as a gift, even as he cannot borrow his soul from others.” JPS set out in the late 1800’s to publish an authoritative English transla- tion “in the spirit of Jewish tradition.” It was compiled over decades by some of the leading Jewish scholars of the time. They formed committees and sub- committees to compare existing English versions, considering medieval and modern Jewish commentators. The monumental JPS translation, originally published in 1917, has been updated in recent years and The Israel Bible is proud to utilize the 1984 New Jewish Publication Society (NJPS) version with its modern, clear language, as well as its wide-ranging acceptance as an accurate and high-quality translation. We applied the NJPS translation verba- tim, except for a select list of nouns, which we replaced with their traditional Hebrew names. This is true even when we found the NJPS translation to be different than the popular translation of a word or phrase and when the NJPS switched the order of the text for the sake of clarity (see, for example, Ezekiel 24:22-24).

Hebrew Transliteration — To give our readers an authentic Tanakh experi- ence, every verse that has commentary is transliterated from Hebrew into English. The Hebrew alphabet chart includes our standards for transliteration

x and pronunciation of Hebrew verses, enabling readers of The Israel Bible to decipher key biblical passages in the holy language. Readers can hear the en- tire Bible read in Hebrew on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM. There are various standards when it comes to transliterating Hebrew words into English letters. While we have relied primarily on the classical Hebrew transliteration, we have occasionally deviated for the sake of simplicity, clarity and to reflect common usage. In addition to whole verses, we have also transliterated many proper nouns in the English translation so that our readers can learn the names of key biblical figures and locations in their Hebrew form. As a rule, we chose to transliterate names of people that were central in the establishment and functioning of the nation of Israel, as well as significant places in the Holy Land. Therefore, regarding Adam’s sons, for example, only Shet (Seth) is transliterated since it was from him that Noach (Noah) and ultimately Avraham (Abraham) descended. For this reason, there might be verses or sections of The Israel Bible that contains multiple names and only some of them are transliterated. For the same reason, we have transliterated the names of the books of Tanakh when referring to them in our introductions and commentary. When referencing a specific chapter or verse, however, we use the English names of the books in our citations for clarity. We also transliterated ideas and concepts that are central to such as (Sabbath), the names of the and the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), as well as biblical measurements. Finally, the name of God is transliterated. Out of respect, Orthodox Jews generally refer to the Lord as Hashem, which literally means ‘the Name.’ Referring to God as Hashem reminds us that we feel close to Him but also recognize our distance at the same time. To stress this moniker, we transliterated both the Tetragrammaton as well as the name Elohim as Hashem.

Study Notes — Our unique commentary was compiled by Orthodox Jewish scholars who live in Israel. It is an anthology in the sense that most of the commentary is not original, but draws from traditional teachings of early Jewish Sages and modern rabbinic commentators. We also include quotations from individuals who have played a significant part in the past century of modern Israeli history including Israeli prime ministers, poets and military leaders.

xi Our commentary can be broken into four categories, three of which are identified by an icon at the beginning of the study note: Israel lessons are indicated with an icon bearing the map of Israel and focus on the Land of Israel and the modern State of Israel. Jewish lessons are indicated with a Torah scroll and teach a concept in Judaism or a classic idea from rabbinic thought. Hebrew lessons are represented by an icon bearing the letteraleph and focus on the meaning of a Hebrew word or phrase. All other comments are considered general comments and are not assigned an icon.

Supplemental Material — In addition to our unique translation and original commentary, The Israel Bible offers supplementary material to enrich the learning experience of our readers. Before every book of Tanakh, we provide an introduction, as well as information, generally in the form of a map, a chart or a list, which is central to the specific book.

Maps — As the purpose of The Israel Bible is to highlight the biblical significance of the Land of Israel, significant time was spent researching and preparing maps to bring the physical contours of the holy land to life with great accuracy. However, since there is a lack of information regarding the precise locations of certain ancient cities, some of the places on our maps are approximate or subject to debate. In these cases, we followed the opinion that we are most comfortable with, but acknowledge that there is room for disagreement. We continue to produce new maps, which are available on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM/MAPS.

Torah Readings — TheTorah is not just a work that is studied privately, it is also read out loud in . Every Shabbat and holiday a portion of the Torah is read, as well as a related section from Neviim, the prophets, called the haftarah. For this reason, we included the blessings recited before and after the reading of the Torah. Readers can always find the current week’s Torah portion by visiting WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM/WEEKLY-TORAH- PORTION. In this volume, we indicate where a new Torah portion begins by highlighting the Hebrew verse number with a gray box so readers can follow along with the communal Torah readings. Furthermore, we have included prayers for the State of Israel and the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces

xii (IDF) that are generally recited following the in synagogue. It is our constant prayer that God watch over the State of Israel and the members of the IDF, who defend Israel every hour of every day.

In 1948, the State of Israel was created providing a modern answer to Isaiah’s ancient question, “Is a nation born all at once?” (Isaiah 66:8). We are now in the 70th year of God’s miraculous restoration of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel. Jewish wisdom teaches that 70 is a significant number:Moshe (Moses) translated the Torah into 70 languages for all 70 nations of the world. From our very origins, the Jewish people were meant to be a light unto the 70 nations, spreading God’s truth to the masses. In the seven decades since the modern rebirth of the the State of Israel, God’s plan has been unfolding with unprecedented speed, dramatic highs and heart-breaking lows. Never has Israel been at the forefront of the world’s attention as it is in our generation. Efforts to vilify the Jewish State seem to spread every day across the globe. At the same time, so does the growing movement of millions of non-Jewish biblical Zionists who stand with the nation of Israel as an expression of their commitment to God’s word. As we seek to understand the clash of these two conflicting worldviews, the need for The Israel Bible has never been so important. Standing on the great shoulders of those who came before us and emanating from the land that has always served as the birthplace for the Bible, we conclude with a heartfelt prayer: May the Almighty bless our efforts in offering thisTanakh to influence the hearts, minds and actions of its readers. In this way, it is our hope to spread God’s name so that the publication of The Israel Bible brings us one step closer to the final redemption of Israel and the entire world. Rabbi Tuly Weisz Editor, The Israel Bible

xiii

Foreward

The mandate to study God’s word daily is interestingly not found in the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch), but rather in the first book of our prophetic writings: “Let not this Book of the Teaching cease from your lips, but recite it day and night, so that you may observe faithfully all that is written in it. Only then will you prosper in your undertakings and only then will you be successful” (Joshua 1:8). Charged with bringing the Israelites into the land covenantally promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God ensures Joshua of His protection if the nation observes His ways as dictated in the Divine constitution known as the Torah. In Jewish tradition, Joshua (1:8) is directly linked with Deuteronomy (11:14), “You shall gather in your new grain and wine, and oil.”1 Our Sages deduced from this scriptural combination the importance of merging with a profession. Completely dedicating oneself to the study of Torah without having the financial means to sustain this lifestyle can lead one to eventually straying from observance of God’s will. Poverty and crime can have an intimate relationship. We must also be careful that our work does not affect our daily study of Scripture. The addiction of becoming a workaholic and not making Torah study a priority can also lead one into temptations that can violate our personal relationship with Him as well as our fellow human beings. The goal is to achieve a healthy balance between our study of God’s word and our daily work. The Deuteronomic verse quoted above is part of the second section of the Shema2 that discusses the concept of reward and punishment. Sanctifying God by fulfilling His commandments results in the Land of Israel practically benefitting from rains that occur in the right season and reaping the abundance from the fields. However, if the nation follows pagan gods and practices, the consequences are devastating – famine and death. The Land of Israel is intrinsically linked with the keeping of the Torah. Covenant Land comes with covenant responsibility. xv Born into slavery, Joshua is now leading His people into the Promised Land. More than 500 years separates him from his ancestral forefather Abraham. The historical narratives that took place between Abraham leaving everything behind to follow God in Genesis 12 and the death of Moses in the last chapter of Deuteronomy are filled with intrigue, suspense, joy, sorrow and hope. What began as a family is now a nation actualizing its mission to be a kingdom of priests to the world. However, for the Israelites to succeed in the Land of Israel, they must see the Torah as the only compass to direct their lives. The biblical episodes after our first entry into the land are well known. Our ancestors’ triumphs and sins are all on public record. We learned the harsh reality of Leviticus (18:28) “So let not the land spew you out for defiling it as it spewed out the nation that came before you.” Twice, we lost the privilege to be stewards of the Land of Israel and to fulfill our nation state mandate to be a light to the world. However, when the annals of history were ready to archive the Jewish people after , God kept His covenantal promise and gathered us from the four corners of the globe to come home. The year 1948 was a game changer. Biblical prophecies were and are being realized. We are now living in the birth pangs of the messianic era. In our morning prayers, we recite a series of blessings over the Torah that include petitioning God to have a sweet tooth for His word, to study it without any ulterior motive and to have Him to teach it to us. They are some congregations that invoke the following liturgical prayer after the completion of these blessings: May the Torah be my faith and El Shaddai my help. Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and all time. According to Jewish tradition, the neglect of not blessing the Torah before engaging in its study was one of the reasons for the destruction of the Temple.3 This is deduced from the redundancy of words in Jeremiah (9:12) that talks about Israel not following God: “…Because they forsook the teaching I had set before them. They did not obey Me and they did not follow it [did not make a blessing before studying it].” Our inability to properly cherish God’s greatest gift to the world, the Torah, led to our eventual exile from our land. The State of Israel will celebrate its 70th birthday this year. On Israel’s Independence Day, Jews around the world recite Psalms 113-118 to express our gratitude to God for His Divine hand in helping establish the State of

3. Babylonian Nedarim 81a

xvi Israel. We have learned from our past and realize the privilege to see firsthand the land, people and Torah operating all together in our generation. When Rabbi Tuly Weisz approached me about his intent to publish The Israel Bible that would highlight commentary about the special relationship between the land and people, I saw this project as another way to publicly demonstrate our appreciation to God for having the State of Israel. In addition, it is another educational tool to ensure biblical literacy. If we are to truly enjoy the Land of Israel, it is incumbent upon us to continually study the Torah. Isaiah once prophesied that the Jewish people would return to with songs, “crowned with everlasting joy” (35:10). The Israel Bible provides us the lyrical content to express our joy in living in the land that God calls holy. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chief Rabbi of Efrat Founder of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation (CJCUC)

xvii Blessing Before Reading the Torah: The one who has been called up to the Torah says: ָּבְר ּכו ֶאת ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Bless Hashem, the one who is ba-r’-KHU et a-do-NAI ham blessed vo-RAKH

The Congregation responds: ָּב ּרו ְך ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Blessed is Hashem, the one ba-RUKH a-do-NAI ham-vo ְל ָעולם ָו ֶעד who is blessed, for all eternity RAKH l’-o-LAM va-ED

The one who has been called up to the Torah continues: ָּב ּרו ְך ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Blessed is Hashem, the one ba-RUKH a-do-NAI ham-vo ְל ָעוֹלם ָו ֶעד who is blessed, for all eternity RAKH l’-o-LAM va-ED ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ֶמ ֶל ְך ָה ָעוֹלם -Our God, King of the e-lo-HAY-nu ME-lekh ha-o universe LAM ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ַחר ָּב ּנו Who has chosen us a-SHER BA-khar BA-nu ִמ ָּכל ָה ַע ִּמים From among all the nations mi-KOL ha-a-MEEM ְו ָנ ַתן ָל ּנו And has given us v’-NA-tan LA-nu ֶאת ּתוֹ ָרתוֹ His Torah et to-ra-TO ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI נוֹ ֵתן ַה ּתוֹ ָרה Giver of the Torah no-TAYN ha-to-RAH

Blessing After Reading the Torah:

ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ֶמ ֶל ְך ָה ָעוֹלם -Our God, King of the e-lo-HAY-nu ME-lekh ha-o universe LAM ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ַתן ָל ּנו Who has given us a-SHER NA-tan LA-nu ּתוֹ ַרת ֱא ֶמת TheTorah of truth to-RAT e-MET ְו ַחֵּיי ָעוֹלם ָנ ַטע -’And planted eternal life v’-kha-YAY o-LAM na-TA b ְּב ֵתוֹכ ּנו within us to-KHAY-nu ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI נוֹ ֵתן ַה ּתוֹ ָרה Giver of the Torah no-TAYN ha-to-RAH xviii Sefer Trei Asar The Book of the Twelve Prophets

Introduction and commentary by Rabbi Yaakov Beasley

The last book of the Prophets contains the prophecies of twelve distinct .meaning ‘twelve’ in Aramaic ,(תרי עשר) prophets, and is known as Trei Asar In English, it is sometimes referred to as the “Twelve Minor Prophets,” a moniker that describes only their relatively short messages, but not their importance. From the Dead Sea Scrolls and the work of Ben Sirach, we know that these twelve prophetic texts were grouped together as one book already by the second century BCE. The era of theTrei Asar ranges from the middle of the eighth century BCE to the beginning of the fourth century BCE. Hoshea, Yoel, Amos, Ovadya, Yona and Micha prophesied during the eighth century BCE, when Assyria terrorized the entire Middle East including the kingdoms of Yisrael and Yehuda. Nachum, Chavakuk and Tzefanya lived in the seventh century BCE, when Assyria’s even more vicious successor, Babylonia, threatened and eventually exiled the tiny kingdom of Yehuda. The final three prophets,Chagai , Zecharya and Malachi lived during the period of the return to Tzion, when the Jewish people returned to the Land of Israel after seventy years of Babylonian exile. These three prophets were active during a period spanning from the middle of the sixth century to the beginning of the fourth century BCE, and with the final prophecies of Malachi came the end of the age of prophecy. Despite being separated from each other by over five hundred years, these prophets shared several messages which are relevant to this very day: Concern for the poor, an emphasis on justice and morality over uninspired ritual, the enduring bond between Hashem and His people, and the eternal relationship of the Jewish people to Eretz Yisrael.

19 Chart of the Twelve Prophets and When They Lived

Name Time Period

Hoshea A contemporary of the prophets Yeshayahu, Amos and Micha, Hoshea prophesied during the reigns of Uzziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu of the kingdom of Yehuda, and Yerovam son of Yoash of the kingdom of Yisrael (Hosea 1:1).

Yoel Rashi quotes three different opinions from the Sages regarding when Yoel lived: (1) He was the son of Shmuel (see I Samuel 8:2), (2) He was a contemporary of Elisha, and (3) He prophesied during the reign of Menashe, king of Yehuda, along with Nachum and Chavakuk.

Amos Amos was a contemporary of Hoshea, Micha and Yeshayahu. He prophesied to the kingdom of Yisrael during the reigns of Uzziyahu king of Yehuda and Yerovam son of Yoash king of Yisrael (Amos 1:1).

Ovadya According to the Sages ( 39b), Ovadya was a convert from Edom who lived during the time of Yehoshafat king of Yehuda and Achav king of Yisrael. He was in charge of Achav’s household and hid 100 prophets from the wicked king and queen in order to save them from death (I Kings 18). They suggest that it is because he risked his own life to save the prophets that he merited prophecy. According to this opinion, he was a contemporary of the prophet Eliyahu.

Yona Yona is mentioned in Sefer Melachim II 14:25 as a prophet who lived during the reign of Yerovam son of Yoash in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Micha Micha was a contemporary of Yeshayahu, Hoshea and Amos. He prophesied to the kingdom of Yehuda during the reigns of Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu (Micah 1:1).

Nachum According to the Sages, Nachum prophesied during the reign of Menashe king of Yehuda and was a contemporary of Yoel and Chavakuk.

Chavakuk According to the Sages, Chavakuk prophesied during the reign of Menashe king of Yehuda along with Yoel and Nachum.

Tzefanya Tzefanya prophesied during the reign of Yoshiyahu son of Amon, king of Yehuda (Zephaniah 1:1). He was a contemporary of Yirmiyahu and Chulda the prophetess.

Chagai Chagai lived during the time of Darius, king of Persia (Haggai 1:1). He was a contemporary of Zecharya, and together they prophesied to the people of Yehuda who had returned to the Land of Israel in order to rebuild the Beit Hamikdash following the proclamation of Cyrus king of Persia. During his time, and because of his encouragement, the second Beit Hamikdash was built (Ezra 6:14).

Zecharya Zecharya lived during the time of Darius, king of Persia (Zecharya 1:1). He was a contemporary of Chagai, and together they prophesied to the people of Yehuda who had returned to the Land of Israel in order to rebuild the Beit Hamikdash following the proclamation of Cyrus king of Persia. During his time, and because of his encouragement, the second Beit Hamikdash was built (Ezra 6:14).

Malachi Malachi was the last of the prophets and lived at the beginning of the period. Following his death, the period of prophecy ceased. Sefer Hoshea The Book of Hosea

The first of theTrei Asar, the book of Hoshea (Hosea) son of Be’eri, is one of the longest of the twelve, comprising fourteen chapters. Hoshea prophesies to the last generation before the Assyrian destruction of the northern kingdom of Yisrael in 722 BCE. In his prophecies, Hoshea denounces the corruption of the rich and powerful, whose indifference to injustice is leading the people towards certain destruction. While still outwardly powerful, the country’s foundations have been weakened and undermined during years of lawlessness and violence. Though his message is stark and dire, his belief in the people’s ability to repent and return is even greater, and Hoshea tries to convince them of the possibility of salvation, even when all seems lost. In its barest form, God’s relationship with the people is founded on love, the love of a parent for an infant that He taught to walk (11:3), and the love of a husband for His betrothed (2:16). The first three chapters of the book are autobiographical;Hoshea is commanded by God to marry a woman described as a harlot, and to have children with her. Through this marriage and the naming of his children, Hoshea creates one of the most powerful metaphors for the relationship between Hashem and Israel. The following chapters, 4-13, describe a litany of sins that the people committed, and the punishments that will inevitably follow. The final chapter is one of the most sublime calls for repentance in the Bible, and is traditionally read in on the Sabbath which occurs during the Days of Repentance, between Rosh Hashana and .

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הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק א Chapter 1

א ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ֶאל־הוֹשׁ ֵ ַע ֶּבן־ The word of Hashem that came to Hoshea son 1 1 א ְּב ֵאִרי ִּב ֵימי ֻעִ ּזָּיה ָיוֹתם ָא ָחז ְי ִחְז ִקָּיה ,of Be’eri, in the reigns of Kings Uzziyahu, Yotam ַמ ְל ֵכי ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ִב ֵימי ָיָר ְב ָעם ֶּב ָן־יוֹאשׁ Achaz, and Chizkiyahu of Yehuda, and in the reign ֶמ ֶל ְך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Twelve Prophets of King Yerovam son of Yoash of Yisrael ב ְּת ִח ַּלת ִ ּד ֶּב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְּבהוֹשׁ ֵ ַע ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה When Hashem first spoke to Hoshea, Hashem said 2 ֶאל־הוֹשׁ ֵ ַע ֵל ְך ַק ְח־ל ָך ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ְז ּנו ִנים to Hoshea, “Go, yourself a wife of whoredom ְוַי ְל ֵדי ְז ּנו ִנים ִּכ ָי־זנֹה ִתְז ֶנה ָה ָאֶרץ and children of whoredom; for the land will stray ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”.from following Hashem ג ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַוִּי ַּקח ֶא ּת־ג ֶֹמר ַּב ִ ּת־ד ְב ָלִים ַו ַּת ַהר So he went and married Gomer daughter of 3 ַו ֵּת ֶלד־לוֹ ֵּבן׃ ,Diblaim. She conceived and bore him a son ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ָליו ְקָרא שׁ ְ מוֹ ִיְזְר ֶעאל ;and Hashem instructed him, “Name him Yizrael 4 ִּכי־עוֹד ְמ ַעט ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ֶא ְ ּת־ד ֵמי for, I will soon punish the House of Yehu for the ִיְזְר ֶעאל ַע ֵּל־בית ֵי ּהוא ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַּב ִּתי bloody deeds at Yizrael and put an end to the ַמ ְמ ְל ּכות ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .monarchy of the House of Yisrael Twelve Prophets va-YO-mer a-do-NAI ay-LAV k’-RA sh’-MO yiz-r’-EL kee OD m’-AT u-FA-kad- TEE et d’-MAY yiz-r’-EL al BAYT yay-HU v’-HISH-ba-TEE mam-l’-KHUT BAYT yis-ra-AYL ה ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְושׁ ָ ַבְר ִּתי ֶא ֶת־קשׁ ֶ ת In that day, I will break the bow of Yisrael in the 5 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּב ֵע ֶמק ִיְזְר ֶעאל׃ ”.Valley of Yizrael ו ַו ַּת ַהר עוֹד ַו ֵּת ֶלד ַּבת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ְקָרא She conceived again and bore a daughter; and He 6 שׁ ְ ָמ ּה לֹא ֻר ָח ָמה ִּכי לֹא ִאוֹסיף עוֹד said to him, “Name her Lo-ruhamah; for I will no ֲאַר ֵחם ֶא ֵּת־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ָי־נשֹׂא ֶא ָּשׂא .longer accept the House of Yisrael or pardon them ָל ֶהם׃ ז ְו ֶא ֵּת־בית ְי ּהו ָדה ֲאַר ֵחם ְוהוֹשׁ ַ ְע ִּתים But I will accept the House of Yehuda. And I will 7 ַּב ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְולֹא אוֹשׁ ִ ֵיעם ְּב ֶקשׁ ֶ ת give them victory through Hashem their God; I ּו ְב ֶחֶרב ּו ְב ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּב ּסו ִסים ּו ְב ָפָרשׁ ִ ים׃ will not give them victory with bow and sword and battle, by horses and riders.)” ח ַו ִּת ְגמֹל ֶאת־לֹא ֻר ָח ָמה ַו ַּת ַהר ַו ֵּת ֶלד ֵּבן׃ After weaning Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and 8 bore a son. ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְקָרא שׁ ְ מוֹ לֹא ַע ִּמי ִּכי ַא ֶּתם לֹא Then He said, “Name him Lo-ammi; for you are 9 ַע ִּמי ְו ָא ִנֹכי ֶלֹא־א ְהֶיה ָל ֶכם׃ ”.[not My people, and I will not be your [Hashem

1:4 I will soon punish the House of Yehu for the kingdom of Yisrael. It was strategically located, affording bloody deeds at Yizrael Hoshea describes how great military advantage, and the nearby Yizrael spring the nation’s present troubles stem from the manner in provided ample water for the city as well as for travellers. which the ruling dynasty of the kingdom of Israel, the It was there that the coup d’état, in which Yehu overthrew house of Yehu, had achieved power. The Yizrael valley the idolatrous house of Achav, took place. Though runs through the northern hills of Israel, from Megiddo originally supported by the prophet Elisha, the takeover to Beit Shean, and was one of the major highways in became exceedingly violent and bloodthirsty, and Tel Yizrael looking east toward Gilboa antiquity. The ancient city of Yizrael, located on the Hoshea promises that Yehu will be punished accordingly. western edge of the Gilboa mountain range, overlooked Hoshea reminds us that even when beginning with good the valley and was a very important city for the northern intentions, power and authority can easily corrupt.

23 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ב Chapter 2

א ְו ָהָיה ִמ ְס ַּפר ְּב ֵנ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּכחוֹל ַהָּים The number of the people ofYisrael shall be like 1 2 ב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִלֹא־י ַּמד ְולֹא ִי ָּס ֵפר ְו ָהָיה ִּב ְמקוֹם that of the sands of the sea, which cannot be ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־י ָא ֵמר ָל ֶהם ַלֹא־ע ִּמי ַא ֶּתם ֵי ָא ֵמר ,measured or counted; and instead of being told ָל ֶהם ְּב ֵני ֵא ָל־חי׃ You are Not-My-People,” they shall be called“ Children-of-the-Living-Hashem. ב ְו ִנ ְק ְּב ּצו ְּב ֵנ ְי־י ּהו ָדה ּו ְב ֵנ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַי ְח ָ ּדו The people ofYehuda and the people of Yisrael 2 ְו ָשׂ ּמו ָל ֶהם רֹאשׁ ֶא ָחד ְו ָע ּלו ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ shall assemble together and appoint one head over ִּכי ָגדוֹל יוֹם ִיְזְר ֶעאל׃ them; and they shall rise from the ground—for marvelous shall be the day of Yizrael! ג ִא ְמ ּרו ַל ֲא ֵח ֶיכם ַע ִּמי ְו ַל ֲא ֵחוֹת ֶיכם Oh, call your brothers “My People,” And your 3 ֻר ָח ָמה׃ ”!sisters “Lovingly Accepted ד ִר ּיבו ְב ִא ְּמ ֶכם ִר ּיבו ִּכ ִי־היא לֹא ִאשׁ ְ ִּתי Rebuke your mother, rebuke her— For she is not 4 ְו ָא ִנֹכי לֹא ִאישׁ ָ ּה ְו ָת ֵסר ְז ּנו ֶנ ָיה ִמ ָּפ ֶניה My wife And I am not her husband— And let ְו ַנ ֲא ּפו ֶפ ָיה ִמ ֵּבין שׁ ָ ֶד ָיה׃ her put away her harlotry from her face And her

adultery from between her breasts. Twelve Prophets ה ֶּפ ַן־א ְפשׁ ִ ֶיט ָנּה ֲעֻר ָּמה ְו ִה ַּצ ְג ִּת ָיה ְּכיוֹם Else will I strip her naked And leave her as on 5 ִהָּו ְל ָד ּה ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ָיה ַכ ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְושׁ ַ ִּת ָה ְּכ ֶאֶרץ the day she was born: And I will make her like a ִצָּיה ַו ֲה ִמ ִּת ָיה ַּב ָּצ ָמא׃ wilderness, Render her like desert land, And let her die of thirst. ו ְו ֶא ָּת־ב ֶנ ָיה לֹא ֲאַר ֵחם ִּכ ְי־ב ֵני ְז ּנו ִנים I will also disown her children; For they are now a 6 ֵה ָּמה׃ ,harlot’s brood ז ִּכי ָז ְנ ָתה ִא ָּמם ִהֹבישׁ ָ ה ָהוֹר ָתם ִּכי In that their mother has played the harlot, She that 7 ָא ְמָרה ֵא ְל ָכה ַא ֲחֵרי ְמ ַא ֲה ַבי ְנֹת ֵני ַל ְח ִמי conceived them has acted shamelessly— Because ּו ֵמ ַימי ַצ ְמִרי ּו ִפשׁ ְ ִּתי שׁ ַ ְמ ִני ְושׁ ִ ּק ּוָיי׃ she thought, “I will go after my lovers, Who supply my bread and my water, My wool and my linen, My oil and my drink.” ח ָל ֵכן ִה ְנ ִנ ָי־שׂ ְך ֶא ַ ּת־דְר ֵּכ ְך ַּב ִּס ִירים ְו ָג ַדְר ִּתי Assuredly, I will hedge up her roads with thorns 8 ֶא ְּת־ג ֵדָר ּה ּו ְנ ִת ֶיבוֹת ָיה לֹא ִת ְמ ָצא׃ And raise walls against her, And she shall not find her paths. ט ְוִר ְ ּד ָפה ֶא ְת־מ ַא ֲה ֶב ָיה ְו ַלֹא־ת ִּשׂיג ָאֹתם Pursue her lovers as she will, She shall not overtake 9 ּו ִב ְקשׁ ָ ַתם ְולֹא ִת ְמ ָצא ְו ָא ְמָרה ֵא ְל ָכה them; And seek them as she may, She shall never ְו ָאשׁ ּו ָבה ֶא ִל־אישׁ ִ י ָהִראשׁ וֹן ִּכי טוֹב ִלי find them. Then she will say, “I will go and return To ָאז ֵמ ָע ָּתה׃ ”.my first husband, For then I fared better than now י ְו ִהיא לֹא ָי ְד ָעה ִּכי ָא ִנֹכי ָנ ַת ִּתי ָל ּה ַה ָ ּד ָגן And she did not consider this: It was I who 10 ְו ַה ִּתירוֹשׁ ְו ַהִּי ְצ ָהר ְו ֶכ ֶסף ִהְר ֵּב ִיתי ָל ּה bestowed on her The new grain and wine and oil; I ְוָז ָהב ָע ּשׂו ַל ָּב ַעל׃ who lavished silver on her And gold—which they used for . v’-HEE LO ya-d’-AH KEE a-no-KHEE na-TA-tee LAH ha-da-GAN v’-ha-tee- ROSH v’-ha-yitz-HAR v’-KHE-sef hir-BAY-tee LAH v’-za-HAV a-SU la-BA-al

2:10 And she did not consider this: It was I who bestowed wayward wife is that she attributes to her lovers the on her the new grain One of the greatest sins of the gifts that were actually given to her by her husband.

24 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ב Chapter 2

יא ָל ֵכן ָאשׁ ּוב ְו ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ְד ָג ִני ְּב ִע ּתוֹ ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ִ י Assuredly, I will take back My new grain in its time 11 ְּב ֲמוֹעדוֹ ְו ִה ַּצ ְל ִּתי ַצ ְמִרי ּו ִפשׁ ְ ִּתי ְל ַכ ּסוֹת And My new wine in its season, And I will snatch ֶא ֶת־עְרָו ָת ּה׃ away My wool and My linen That serve to cover her nakedness. יב ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ַג ֶּלה ֶא ַת־נ ְב ֻל ָת ּה ְל ֵע ֵיני Now will I uncover her shame In the very sight of 12 ְמ ַא ֲה ֶב ָיה ְו ִאישׁ ַלֹא־י ִּצ ֶיל ָנּה ִמָּי ִדי׃ .her lovers, And none shall save her from Me יג ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַּב ִּתי ָּכ ְל־מ ָשׂוֹשׂ ּה ַח ָּג ּה ָח ְדשׁ ָ ּה And I will end all her rejoicing: Her festivals, new 13 ְושׁ ַ ַּב ָּת ּה ְוכֹל ֲמוֹע ָד ּה׃ .moons, and Shabbatot— All her festive seasons יד ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ּמ ִֹתי ַּג ְפ ָנ ּה ּו ְת ֵא ָנ ָת ּה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ְמָרה I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, Which 14 ֶא ְת ָנה ֵה ָּמה ִלי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ְת ּנו ִ־לי ְמ ַא ֲה ָבי she thinks are a fee She received from her lovers; I ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּתים ְלַי ַער ַו ֲא ָכ ָל ַתם ַחַּית ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ will turn them into brushwood, And beasts of the field shall devour them. טו ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ָע ֶל ָיה ֶא ְת־י ֵמי ַה ְּב ָע ִלים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ,Thus will I punish her For the days of the Baalim 15 ַּת ְק ִטיר ָל ֶהם ַו ַּת ַעד ִנְז ָמ ּה ְו ֶח ְלָי ָת ּה ַו ֵּת ֶל ְך ,On which she brought them offerings; When ַא ֲחֵרי ְמ ַא ֲה ֶב ָיה ְו ִאֹתי שׁ ָ ְכ ָחה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ Twelve Prophets decked with earrings and jewels, She would go after her lovers, Forgetting Me —declaresHashem . טז ָל ֵכן ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ְמ ַפ ֶּת ָיה ְו ַהֹל ְכ ִּת ָיה Assuredly, I will speak coaxingly to her And lead 16 ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְו ִד ַּבְר ִּתי ַעל ִל ָּב ּה׃ her through the wilderness And speak to her tenderly. יז ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי ָל ּה ֶא ְּת־כָר ֶמ ָיה ִמשָּׁ ם ְו ֶא ֵת־ע ֶמק I will give her her vineyards from there, And the 17 ָעכוֹר ְל ֶפ ַתח ִּת ְקָוה ְו ָע ְנ ָתה שָּׁ ָּמה ִּכ ֵימי Valley of Achor as a plowland of hope. There she ְנ ּעוֶר ָיה ִּו ְכיוֹם ֲע ָלֹת ּה ֵמ ֶאֶר ִץ־מ ְצָרִים׃ shall respond as in the days of her youth, When she came up from the land of Egypt. יח ְו ָהָיה ַב ּי ַוֹם־ה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ִּת ְקְר ִאי And in that day —declares Hashem— You will call 18 ִאישׁ ִ י ְו ִלֹא־ת ְקְר ִא ִי־לי עוֹד ַּב ְע ִלי׃ .Me] Ishi, And no more will you call Me Baali] יט ַו ֲה ִס ִרֹתי ֶאת־שׁ ְ מוֹת ַה ְּב ָע ִלים ִמ ִּפ ָיה For I will remove the names of the Baalim from her 19 ְו ִלֹא־יָ ּז ְכ ּרו עוֹד ִּבשׁ ְ ָמם׃ mouth, And they shall nevermore be mentioned by name. כ ְו ָכַר ִּתי ָל ֶהם ְּבִרית ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִעם־ In that day, I will make a covenant for them with 20 ַחַּית ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ְו ִעם־עוֹף ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ְוֶר ֶמשׂ the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the ָה ֲא ָד ָמה ְו ֶקשׁ ֶ ת ְו ֶחֶרב ּו ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ֶאשׁ ְ ּבוֹר creeping things of the ground; I will also banish ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַּכ ְב ִּתים ָל ֶב ַטח׃ bow, sword, and war from the land. Thus I will let them lie down in safety. כא ְו ֵאַר ְשׂ ִּת ְיך ִלי ְל ָעוֹלם ְו ֵאַר ְשׂ ִּת ְיך ִלי And I will espouse you forever: I will espouse you 21 ְּב ֶצ ֶדק ּו ְב ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּו ְב ֶח ֶסד ּו ְבַר ֲח ִמים׃ with righteousness and justice, And with goodness and mercy,

Symbolically, this means that Israel should have valuable metals which are not native to the land, and recognized that her prosperity comes not from the symbolize God’s extra love for His people. One must other nations, but from Hashem. The gifts mentioned learn to identify and appreciate everything Hashem in the verse include not only grains, wine and oil, does, especially those aspects of his life which reflect the traditional crops of the Land of Israel, but also His showering of kindness beyond what is deserved.

25 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ג Chapter 3

כב ְו ֵאַר ְשׂ ִּת ְיך ִלי ֶּב ֱא ּמו ָנה ְוָי ַד ַע ְּת ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה׃ And I will espouse you with faithfulness; Then you 22 shall be devoted to Hashem. כג ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֶא ֱע ֶנה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה In that day, I will respond —declares Hashem— I 23 ֶא ֱע ֶנה ֶא ַת־השָּׁ ָמִים ְו ֵהם ַי ֲע ּנו ֶאת־ will respond to the sky, And it shall respond to the ָה ָאֶרץ׃ ;earth כד ְו ָה ָאֶרץ ַּת ֲע ֶנה ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָגן ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּתירוֹשׁ And the earth shall respond With new grain and 24 ְו ֶא ַת־הִּי ְצ ָהר ְו ֵהם ַי ֲע ּנו ֶא ִת־יְזְר ֶעאל׃ .wine and oil, And they shall respond to Yizrael כה ּוְזַר ְע ִּת ָיה ִּלי ָּב ָאֶרץ ְוִר ַח ְמ ִּתי ֶאת־לֹא -I will sow her in the land as My own; And take Lo 25 ֻר ָח ָמה ְו ָא ַמְר ִּתי ְל ַלֹא־ע ִּמי ַע ִּמ ַי־א ָּתה ,ruhamah back in favor; And I will say to Lo-ammi ְו ּהוא ַיֹאמר ֱא ָלֹהי׃ You are My people,” And he will respond, “[You“ are] my God.” א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי עוֹד ֵל ְך ֱא ַה ִב־אשָּׁ ה Hashem said to me further, “Go, befriend a woman 1 3 ג ֲא ֻה ַבת ֵר ַע ּו ְמ ָנ ָא ֶפת ְּכ ַא ֲה ַבת ְי ָהֹוה who, while befriended by a companion, consorts ֶא ְּת־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ֵהם ּפ ִֹנים ֶא ֱל־א ִלֹהים ,with others, just as Hashem befriends the Israelites

Twelve Prophets ֲא ֵחִרים ְו ֲאֹה ֵבי ֲאשׁ ִ ישׁ ֵ י ֲע ָנ ִבים׃ but they turn to other gods and love the cups of the grape.” ב ָו ֶא ְּכֶר ָה ִּלי ַּב ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה ָע ָשׂר ָּכ ֶסף ְו ֶחֹמר Then I hired her for fifteenshekalim [ of] silver, a 2 ְשׂ ִעֹרים ְו ֵל ֶת ְך ְשׂ ִעֹרים׃ ;chomer of barley, and a letek of barley ג ָו ַאֹמר ֵא ֶל ָיה ָי ִמים ַר ִּבים ֵּתשׁ ְ ִבי ִלי לֹא and I stipulated with her, “In return, you are to go a 3 ִתְז ִני ְולֹא ִת ְהִיי ְל ִאישׁ ְו ַג ֲם־א ִני ֵא ָלִי ְך׃ ;long time without either fornicating or marrying even I [shall not cohabit] with you.” ד ִּכי ָי ִמים ַר ִּבים ֵישׁ ְ ּבו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵאין For the Israelites shall go a long time without king 4 ֶמ ֶל ְך ְו ֵאין ָשׂר ְו ֵאין ֶז ַבח ְו ֵאין ַמ ֵּצ ָבה ְו ֵאין and without officials, without sacrifice and without ֵאפוֹד ּו ְתָר ִפים׃ .cult pillars, and without ephod and teraphim ה ַא ַחר ָישׁ ֻ ּבו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ִב ְקשׁ ּו ֶאת־ Afterward, the Israelites will turn back and will 5 ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְו ֵאת ָ ּדִוד ַמ ְל ָּכם ּו ָפ ֲח ּדו seek Hashem their God and David their king—and ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ְו ֶא ּל־טובוֹ ְּב ַא ֲחִרית ַהָּי ִמים׃ they will thrill over Hashem and over His bounty in the days to come. a-KHAR ya-SHU-vu b’-NAY yis-ra-AYL u-vik-SHU et a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-HEM v’-AYT da-VEED mal-KAM u-fa-kha-DU el a-do-NAI v’-el tu-VO b’-a-kha-REET ha-ya-MEEM

3:5 In the days to come Hoshea promises that future. It means hatikva, ‘hope,’ as we find in Jeremiah לתת לכם אחרית) despite the period of punishment and separation, (29:11): latet lachem acharit v’tikva to give to you a future and a hope,’ or, ‘to give‘ — (ותקוה ultimately Israel will return and seek Hashem, their God and David, their king. He says this will take place b’acharit you a hopeful future.’ Acharit can also mean progeny, as .translated here as ‘in the days we find in Ezekiel (23:25), and in progeny there is future ,(באחרית הימים) ha’yamim to come,’ but often translated as ‘the end of days.’ However, Hence, b’acharit hayamim really means the days of as Prime Minister Menachem Begin pointed out in a redemption, when mankind shall enjoy the full blessings speech to the delegates of the United Nations of eternal peace for all generations to come.” The Prime Disarmament Conference in 1982, “Acharit hayamim does Minister taught the UN delegates that no matter how Prime Minister Menachem Begin not mean ‘the last days’ or ‘the end of days.’ On the difficult the present may be, one must maintain our hope (1913-1992) contrary! The key word, acharit, is a synonym for a bright for a bright future and the days of redemption.

26 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ד Chapter 4

א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ִריב Hear the word of Hashem, O people of Yisrael! For 1 4 ד ַל ָיהֹוה ִעם־יוֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָה ָאֶרץ ִּכי ֵא ֱין־א ֶמת Hashem has a case Against the inhabitants of this ְו ֵא ֶין־ח ֶסד ְו ֵא ַ ּין־ד ַעת ֱא ִלֹהים ָּב ָאֶרץ׃ land, Because there is no honesty and no goodness And no obedience to Hashem in the land. shim-U d’-var a-do-NAI b’-NAY yis-ra-AYL KEE REEV la-do-NAI im yo-sh’-VAY ha-A-retz KEE ayn e-MET v’-ayn KHE-sed v’-ayn DA-at e-lo-HEEM ba-A-retz ב ָאלֹה ְו ַכ ֵחשׁ ְוָר ַצֹח ְו ָגנֹב ְו ָנאֹף ָּפָר ּצו False] swearing, dishonesty, and murder, And] 2 ְו ָד ִמים ְּב ָד ִמים ָנ ָג ּעו׃ theft and adultery are rife; Crime follows upon crime! ג ַע ֵּל־כן ֶּת ֱא ַבל ָה ָאֶרץ ְו ֻא ְמ ַלל ָּכל־יוֹשׁ ֵ ב For that, the earth is withered: Everything that 3 ָּב ּה ְּב ַחַּית ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ּו ְבעוֹף ַהשָּׁ ָמִים ְו ַגם־ dwells on it languishes— Beasts of the field and ְ ּד ֵגי ַהָּים ֵי ָא ֵס ּפו׃ .birds of the sky— Even the fish of the sea perish ד ַא ְך ִאישׁ ַא ָל־יֵרב ְו ַא ַל־יוֹכח ִאישׁ ְו ַע ְּמ ָך Let no man rebuke, let no man protest!” For“ 4 ִּכ ְמִר ֵיבי ֵכֹהן׃ this your people has a grievance against [you], O

Twelve Prophets Kohen! ה ְו ָכשׁ ַ ְל ָּת ַה ּיוֹם ְו ָכשׁ ַ ל ַּג ָם־נ ִביא ִע ְּמ ָך So you shall stumble by day, And by night a Navi 5 ָלְי ָלה ְו ָד ִמ ִיתי ִא ֶּמ ָך׃ shall stumble as well, And I will destroy your kindred. ו ִנ ְד ּמו ַע ִּמי ִמ ְּב ִלי ַה ָ ּד ַעת ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ַה ַ ּד ַעת [My people is destroyed because of [your 6 ָמ ַא ְס ָּת ְו ֶא ְמ ָא ְס ָאך ִמ ַּכ ֵהן ִלי ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַּכח disobedience! Because you have rejected ּת ַוֹרת ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֶאשׁ ְ ַּכח ָּב ֶנ ָיך ַּג ָם־א ִני׃ obedience, I reject you as My Kohen; Because you have spurned the teaching of your God, I, in turn, will spurn your children. ז ְּכֻר ָּבם ֵּכן ָח ְט ּאו ִ־לי ְּכ ָבוֹדם ְּב ָקלוֹן ָא ִמיר׃ The more they increased, the more they sinned 7 against Me: I will change their dignity to dishonor. ח ַח ַּטאת ַע ִּמי ֵיֹאכ ּלו ְו ֶא ֲל־ע ָוׂנם ִי ְשׂ ּאו They feed on My people’s sin offerings, And so they 8 ַ נ ְ פ שׁ ֹ ו ׃ .desire its iniquity ט ְו ָהָיה ָכ ָעם ַּכ ּכ ֵֹהן ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ָע ָליו ְ ּדָר ָכיו Therefore, the people shall fare like theKohanim : I 9 ּו ַמ ֲע ָל ָליו ָאשׁ ִ יב לוֹ׃ will punish it for its conduct, I will requite it for its deeds. י ְו ָא ְכ ּלו ְולֹא ִי ְשׂ ָּב ּעו ִהְז ּנו ְולֹא ִי ְפ ּרֹצו ִּכי־ Truly, they shall eat, but not be sated; They shall 10 ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ָעְז ּבו ִלשׁ ְ מֹר׃ swill, but not be satisfied, Because they have forsaken Hashem To practice

,No obedience to Hashem in the land Hoshea intimate relationship between husband and wife 4:1 דעת begins to outline Hashem’s case against His described as, “Now the man knew his wife Chava” people by stating that there is no truth, no mercy, and (Genesis 4:1). The ideal relationship described by this no “da’at Elokim” in the land. Da’at Elokim is translated term encompasses not only the physical dimension, but here as ‘obedience to Hashem,’ but literally means includes total comprehension or knowledge of the ‘knowledge of Hashem.’ From this negative statement, other. Through study of the Bible and the world which we can see Hoshea’s conception of the ideal person: One God created, we can come as close as possible to who is honest, kind, and “knows” God. To “know God” is understand and to know Hashem. reminiscent of the Bible’s description of the ideal,

27 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ה Chapter 5

יא ְז ּנות ְוַיִין ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ִי ַּק ֵח־לב׃ lechery. Wine and new wine destroy The mind of 11 יב ַע ִּמי ְּב ֵעצוֹ ִישׁ ְ ָאל ּו ַמ ְקלוֹ ַי ִּגיד לוֹ ִּכי ּרו ַח My people: It consults its stick, Its rod directs it! A 12 ְז ּנו ִנים ִה ְת ָעה ַוִּיְז ּנו ִמ ַּת ַחת ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם׃ lecherous impulse has made them go wrong, And they have strayed from submission to their God. יג ַע ָל־ראשׁ ֵ י ֶה ָהִרים ְיַז ֵּב ּחו ְו ַע ַל־ה ְּג ָבעוֹת They sacrifice on the mountaintops And offer 13 ְי ַק ֵּט ּרו ַּת ַחת ַא ּלוֹן ְו ִל ְב ֶנה ְו ֵא ָלה ִּכי טוֹב on the hills, Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths ִצ ָּל ּה ַע ֵּל־כן ִּתְז ֶנ ָינה ְּב ֵנוֹת ֶיכם ְו ַכ ּל ֵוֹת ֶיכם Whose shade is so pleasant. That is why their ְּת ָנ ַא ְפ ָנה׃ daughters fornicate And their daughters-in-law commit adultery! יד ֶלֹא־א ְפקוֹד ַע ְּל־ב ֵנוֹת ֶיכם ִּכי ִתְז ֶנ ָינה I will not punish their daughters for fornicating 14 ְו ַע ַּל־כ ּל ֵוֹת ֶיכם ִּכי ְת ָנ ַא ְפ ָנה ִּכ ֵי־הם ִעם־ Nor their daughters-in-law for committing ַה ּזֹנוֹת ְי ָפֵר ּדו ְו ִע ַם־ה ְּק ֵדשׁ וֹת ְיַז ֵּב ּחו ְו ָעם adultery; For they themselves turn aside with ָלֹא־י ִבין ִי ָּל ֵבט׃ whores And sacrifice with prostitutes, And a people that is without sense must stumble.

Twelve Prophets טו ִא ֶם־זֹנה ַא ָּתה ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ֶל־י ְאשׁ ַ ם ְי ּהו ָדה If you are a lecher, Yisrael— Let not Yehuda incur 15 ְו ַא ָּל־ת ּבֹאו ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ְו ַא ַּל־ת ֲע ּלו ֵּבית ָאֶון guilt— Do not come to Gilgal, Do not make ְו ַא ִּל־תשָּׁ ְב ּעו ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה׃ pilgrimages to Beit Aven, And do not swear by Hashem! טז ִּכי ְּכ ָפָרה ֵסֹרָרה ָסַרר ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַע ָּתה ;Ah, Yisrael has balked Like a stubborn cow 16 ִיְר ֵעם ְי ָהֹוה ְּכ ֶכ ֶבשׂ ַּב ֶּמְר ָחב׃ ,Therefore,Hashem will graze him On the range like a sheep. יז ֲח ּבור ֲע ַצ ִּבים ֶא ְפָרִים ַה ַנּח־לוֹ׃ .Efraim is addicted to images— Let him be 17 יח ָסר ָס ְב ָאם ַהְז ֵנה ִהְז ּנו ָא ֲה ּבו ֵה ּבו ָקלוֹן They drink to excess— Their liquor turns against 18 ָמ ִג ֶנּ ָיה׃ them. They “love” beyond measure— Disgrace is the “gift” יט ָצַרר ּרו ַח ָאוֹת ּה ִּב ְכ ָנ ֶפ ָיה ְוֵיבֹשׁ ּו Which the wind is bringing; They shall garner 19 ִמ ִ ּז ְבחוֹ ָתם .shame from their sacrifices א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו־זֹאת ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ְו ַה ְקשׁ ִ ּיבו ֵּבית , Hear this, O Kohanim, Attend, O House ofYisrael 1 5 ה ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ֵבית ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ֲאִז ּינו ִּכי ָל ֶכם And give ear, O royal house; For right conduct is ַה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפט ִּכ ַי־פח ֱהִי ֶיתם ְל ִמ ְצ ָּפה ְוֶרשׁ ֶ ת your responsibility! But you have been a snare to ְּפ ּרו ָשׂה ַע ָּל־תבוֹר׃ ;Mitzpa And a net spread out over Tavor shim-u ZOT ha-ko-ha-NEEM v’-hak-SHEE-vu BAYT yis-ra-AYL u-VAYT ha-ME- lekh ha-a-ZEE-nu KEE la-KHEM ha-mish-PAT kee FAKH he-yee-TEM l’-mitz- PAH v’-RE-shet p’-ru-SAH al ta-VOR

5:1 But you have been a snare to Mitzpa and a Samuel 7:10-11), and it is the place where the tribes net spread out over Tavor Hoshea targets the gather to demand the appointment of Israel’s first king, leadership of Israel for failing the people, calling them Shaul (I Samuel 8-12). The mountain of Tavor is where “a snare to Mitzpa and a net spread out over Tavor.” the tribes gather together to fightYavin , king of Hazor These two places carry strong echoes from Israel’s and his general Sisera (Judges 4-5). The same places history. Mitzpa is a site of Israelite worship of God in where Hashem brought salvation to His people in the Mount Tavor the times of the Judges (Judges 20:1). Hashem saves past, are now used as sites of sin and rebellion against His people at Mitzpa during the time of Shmuel (I Him.

28 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ה Chapter 5

ב ְושׁ ַ ֲח ָטה ֵשׂ ִטים ֶה ְע ִמ ּיקו ַו ֲא ִני ּמו ָסר For when trappers dug deep pitfalls, I was the only 2 ְל ֻכ ָּלם׃ .reprover of them all ג ֲא ִני ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ֶא ְפַרִים ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִלֹא־נ ְכ ַחד Yes, I have watched Efraim, Yisrael has not escaped 3 ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ִּכי ַע ָּתה ִהְז ֵנ ָית ֶא ְפַרִים ִנ ְט ָמא ;my notice: Behold, you have fornicated, O Efraim ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ !Yisrael has defiled himself ד לֹא ִי ְּת ּנו ַמ ַע ְל ֵל ֶיהם ָלשׁ ּוב ֶא ֱל־א ֵלֹה ֶיהם Their habits do not let them Turn back to their 4 ִּכי ּרו ַח ְז ּנו ִנים ְּב ִקְר ָּבם ְו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה לֹא God; Because of the lecherous impulse within ָי ָד ּעו׃ . them, They pay no heed toHashem ה ְו ָע ָנה ְג ִאוֹן־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּב ָפ ָניו ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Yisrael’s pride shall be humbled before his very 5 ְו ֶא ְפַרִים ִי ָּכשׁ ְ ּלו ַּב ֲע ָוׂנם ָּכשׁ ַ ל ַּג ְם־י ּהו ָדה eyes, As Yisrael and Efraim fall because of their sin ִע ָּמם׃ .(And Yehuda falls with them) ו ְּב ָצֹאנם ּו ִב ְב ָקָרם ֵי ְל ּכו ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה Then they will go with their sheep and cattle To 6 ְולֹא ִי ְמ ָצ ּאו ָח ַלץ ֵמ ֶהם׃ seek Hashem, but they will not find Him. He has

Twelve Prophets cast them off: ז ַּב ָיהֹוה ָּב ָג ּדו ִּכ ָי־ב ִנים ָזִרים ָי ָל ּדו ַע ָּתה ,Because] they have broken faith with Hashem] 7 ְיֹאכ ֵלם ֶחֹדשׁ ֶא ֶת־ח ְל ֵק ֶיהם׃ .Because they have begotten Alien children Therefore, the new moon Shall devour their portion. ח ִּת ְק ּעו שׁ ָוֹפר ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ֲח ְצֹצָרה ָּבָר ָמה Sound a in Giva, A trumpet in Rama; Give 8 ָהִר ּיעו ֵּבית ָאֶון ַא ֲחֶר ָיך ִּב ְנָי ִמין׃ ! the alarm in Beit Aven; After you,Binyamin ט ֶא ְפַרִים ְלשׁ ַ ָּמה ִת ְהֶיה ְּביוֹם ּת ֵוֹכ ָחה Efraim is stricken with horror mOn a day of 9 ְּבשׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַהוֹד ְע ִּתי ֶנ ֱא ָמ ָנה׃ chastisement. Against the tribes of Yisrael I proclaim certainties: י ָה ּיו ָשׂ ֵרי ְי ּהו ָדה ְּכ ַמ ִּס ֵיגי ְּג ּבול ֲע ֵל ֶיהם The officers Yehudaof have acted Like shifters 10 ֶאשׁ ְ ּפ ְוֹך ַּכ ַּמִים ֶע ְבָר ִתי׃ of field boundaries; On them I will pour out My wrath like water. יא ָעשׁ ּוק ֶא ְפַרִים ְר ּצוץ ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ִּכי ִהוֹאיל Efraim is defrauded Robbed of redress, Because he 11 ָה ַל ְך ַא ֲחֵר ָי־צו׃ .has witlessly Gone after futility יב ַו ֲא ִני ָכ ָעשׁ ְל ֶא ְפָרִים ְו ָכָר ָקב ְל ֵבית For it is I who am like rot to Efraim, Like decay to 12 ְי ּהו ָדה׃ ;the House of Yehuda יג ַוַּיְרא ֶא ְפַרִים ֶא ָת־ח ְליוֹ ִו ּיהו ָדה ֶאת־ ,Yet when Efraim became aware of his sickness 13 ְמזֹרוֹ ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ְפַרִים ֶא ַל־אשּׁ ּור ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח —Yehuda of his sores, Efraim repaired to Assyria ֶא ֶל־מ ֶל ְך ָיֵרב ְו ּהוא לֹא ּיו ַכל ִלְר ּפֹא ָל ֶכם He sent envoys to a patron king! He will never be ְו ִלֹא־י ְג ֶהה ִמ ֶּכם ָמזוֹר׃ .able to cure you, Will not heal you of your sores יד ִּכי ָא ִנֹכי ַכשַּׁ ַחל ְל ֶא ְפַרִים ְו ַכ ְּכ ִפיר ְל ֵבית No, I will be like a lion to Efraim, Like a great beast 14 ְי ּהו ָדה ֲא ִני ֲא ִני ֶא ְטרֹף ְו ֵא ֵל ְך ֶא ָּשׂא ְו ֵאין to the House of Yehuda; I, I will attack and stride ַמ ִּציל׃ ;away, Carrying the prey that no one can rescue טו ֵא ֵל ְך ָאשׁ ּו ָבה ֶא ְל־מ ִקוֹמי ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ And I will return to My abode— Till they realize 15 ֶי ְאשׁ ְ ּמו ּו ִב ְקשׁ ּו ָפ ָני ַּב ַּצר ָל ֶהם ְישׁ ַ ֲחֻר ְנ ִני׃ their guilt. In their distress, they will seek Me And beg for My favor.

29 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ו Chapter 6

א ְל ּכו ְו ָנשׁ ּו ָבה ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ִּכי ּהוא ָטָרף ,Come, let us turn back to Hashem: He attacked“ 1 6 ו ְוִיְר ָּפ ֵא ּנו ַי ְך ְוַי ְח ְּבשׁ ֵ ּנו׃ and He can heal us; He wounded, and He can bind us up. ב ְי ַחֵּי ּנו ִמ ּי ָֹמִים ַּב ּיוֹם ַהשְּׁ ִלישׁ ִ י ְי ִק ֵמ ּנו In two days He will make us whole again; On the 2 ְו ִנ ְחֶיה ְל ָפ ָניו׃ third day He will raise us up, And we shall be whole by His favor. ג ְו ֵנ ְד ָעה ִנְר ְ ּד ָפה ָל ַד ַעת ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְּכשׁ ַ ַחר Let us pursue obedience to Hashem, And we shall 3 ָנכוֹן ָמוֹצאוֹ ְוָיבוֹא ַכ ֶּגשׁ ֶ ם ָל ּנו ְּכ ַמ ְלקוֹשׁ become obedient. His appearance is as sure as ֶיוֹרה ָאֶרץ׃ daybreak, And He will come to us like rain, Like latter rain that refreshes the earth.” ד ָמה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ְּה־ל ָך ֶא ְפַרִים ָמה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה־ What can I do for you, Efraim, What can I do for 4 ְּל ָך ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ַח ְס ְ ּד ֶכם ַּכ ֲע ַנ ּן־ב ֶֹקר ְו ַכ ַּטל you, Yehuda, When your goodness is like morning ַמשׁ ְ ִּכים ֵהֹל ְך׃ ?clouds, Like dew so early gone ה ַע ֵּל־כן ָח ַצ ְב ִּתי ַּב ְנּ ִב ִיאים ֲהַר ְג ִּתים That is why I have hewn down the Neviim, Have 5

Twelve Prophets ְּב ִא ְמֵר ִי־פי ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ֶט ָיך אוֹר ֵי ֵצא׃ slain them with the words of My mouth: And the day that dawned [brought on] your punishment. ו ִּכי ֶח ֶסד ָח ַפ ְצ ִּתי ְו ָלֹא־ז ַבח ְו ַד ַעת For I desire goodness, not sacrifice; Obedience to 6 ֱא ִלֹהים ֵמעֹלוֹת׃ .Hashem, rather than burnt offerings KEE KHE-sed kha-FATZ-tee v’-lo ZA-vakh v’-DA-at e-lo-HEEM may-o-LOT ז ְו ֵה ָּמה ְּכ ָא ָדם ָע ְב ּרו ְבִרית שׁ ָ ם ָּב ְג ּדו ִבי׃ .But they, to a man, have transgressed the Covenant 7 This is where they have been false to Me: ח ִּג ְל ָעד ִקְרַית ּפ ֲֹע ֵלי ָאֶון ֲע ֻק ָּבה ִמ ָ ּדם׃ .Gilad is a city of evildoers, Tracked up with blood 8 ט ּו ְכ ַח ֵּכי ִאישׁ ְּג ּדו ִדים ֶח ֶבר ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֶ ּדֶר ְך The gang ofKohanim is Like the ambuscade of 9 ְיַר ְּצ ּחו־שׁ ֶ ְכ ָמה ִּכי ִז ָּמה ָע ּשׂו׃ bandits Who murder on the road to Shechem, For they have encouraged depravity. י ְּב ֵבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָר ִא ִיתי שעריריה ;In the House of Yisrael I have seen A horrible thing 10 ]שׁ ַ ֲע ּרוִרָּיה[ שׁ ָ ם ְז ּנות ְל ֶא ְפַרִים ִנ ְט ָמא Efraim has fornicated there, Yisrael has defiled ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .himself יא ַּג ְם־י ּהו ָדה שׁ ָ ת ָק ִציר ָל ְך ְּבשׁ ּו ִבי שׁ ְ ּבות Even Yehuda has reaped a harvest of you! When I 11 ַע ִּמי׃ ,would restore My people’s fortunes

6:6 For I desire goodness, not sacrifice Chapter 6 goodness, not sacrifice, obedience to Hashem rather explains Hashem’s reluctance to answer His people in than burnt offerings.” Although we no longer offer their distress, despite their apparent repentance (6:1-3). sacrifices, to this day there are those who get caught God points to the fleeting and superficial nature of their up in the superficial, ritual aspects of religion at the request, stating, “your goodness is like morning clouds” expense of ethical behavior. In this verse, Hoshea calls (6:4). Hoshea then makes one of his most revolutionary on us to act properly in our dealings with other people declarations: Sacrificial acts alone, the basis of all ancient and to strengthen our awareness of, and commitment religions, have no value without an accompanying to, Hashem. Once these values are ingrained in us, then commitment to living a moral life. He says “For I desire rituals become meaningful.

30 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ז Chapter 7

א ְּכָר ְפ ִאי ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִנ ְג ָלה ֲעוׂן ֶא ְפַרִים When I would heal Yisrael, The guilt ofEfraim 1 7 ז ְוָרעוֹת שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ִּכי ָפ ֲע ּלו שׁ ָ ֶקר ְו ַג ָנּב ָיבוֹא .reveals itself And the wickedness of Shomron ָּפשׁ ַ ט ְּג ּדוד ַּב ּחוץ׃ For they have acted treacherously, With thieves breaking in And bands raiding outside. ב ּו ַב ְל־יֹאמ ּרו ִל ְל ָב ָבם ָּכ ָל־ר ָע ָתם ָז ָכְר ִּתי And they do not consider That I remembered all 2 ַע ָּתה ְס ָב ּבום ַמ ַע ְל ֵל ֶיהם ֶנ ֶגד ָּפ ַני ָה ּיו׃ their wickedness. Why, their misdeeds have been all around them, They have been ever before Me. ג ְּבָר ָע ָתם ְי ַשׂ ְּמ ּחו ֶ־מ ֶל ְך ּו ְב ַכ ֲחשׁ ֵ ֶיהם In malice they make a king merry, And officials in 3 ָשׂ ִרים׃ .treachery ד ֻּכ ָּלם ְמ ָנ ֲא ִפים ְּכמוֹ ַת ּנּור ּב ֵֹעָרה ֵמ ֶאֹפה They commit adultery, all of them, Like an oven 4 ִישׁ ְ ּבוֹת ֵמ ִעיר ִמ ּל ּושׁ ָּב ֵצק ַע ֻד־ח ְמ ָצתוֹ׃ fired by a baker, Who desists from stoking only From the kneading of the dough to its leavening. ה יוֹם ַמ ְל ֵּכ ּנו ֶה ֱח ּלו ָשׂ ִרים ֲח ַמת ִמָּיִין ָמשׁ ַ ְך The day they made our king sick [And] officials 5

ָידוֹ ֶא ְת־לֹצ ִצים׃ Twelve Prophets with the poison of wine, He gave his hand to traitors. ו ִּכ ֵי־קְר ּבו ַכ ַּת ּנּור ִל ָּבם ְּב ָאְר ָּבם ָּכל־ For they approach their ambush With their hearts 6 ַה ַּלְי ָלה ָישׁ ֵ ן ֵאֹפ ֶהם ּב ֶֹקר ּהוא ֵבֹער ְּכ ֵאשׁ like an oven: Through the night Their baker has ֶל ָה ָבה׃ .slept; In the morning, it flares up Like a blazing fire ז ֻּכ ָּלם ֵי ַח ּמ ּו ַּכ ַּת ּנּור ְו ָא ְכ ּלו ֶאת־שׁ ְֹפ ֵט ֶיהם They all get heated like an oven And devour their 7 ָּכ ַל־מ ְל ֵכ ֶיהם ָנ ָפ ּלו ֵא ֵין־קֹרא ָב ֶהם ֵא ָלי׃ rulers— None of them calls to Me. All their kings have fallen [by their hand]. ku-LAM yay-KHA-mu ka-ta-NUR v’-a-kh’-LU et sho-f’-tay-HEM kol mal-khay- HEM na-FA-lu ayn ko-RAY va-HEM ay-LAI ח ֶא ְפַרִים ָּב ַע ִּמים ּהוא ִי ְת ּב ָוֹלל ֶא ְפַרִים .Efraim is among the peoples; He is rotting away 8 ָהָיה ֻע ָגה ְּב ִלי ֲה ּפו ָכה׃ .Efraim is like a cake— Incapable of turning ט ָא ְכ ּלו ָזִרים ּכֹחוֹ ְו ּהוא לֹא ָי ָדע ַּג ֵם־שׂ ָיבה Strangers have consumed his strength, But he has 9 ָזְר ָקה ּבוֹ ְו ּהוא לֹא ָי ָדע׃ ,taken no notice; Also, mold is scattered over him But he has taken no notice. י ְו ָע ָנה ְג ִאוֹן־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּב ָפ ָניו ְולֹא־שׁ ָ ּבו ֶאל־ ThoughYisrael ’s pride has been humbled Before 10 ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְולֹא ִב ְקשׁ ֻ ּהו ְּב ָכל־זֹאת׃ his very eyes, They have not turned back To their God Hashem; They have not sought Him In spite of everything.

7:7 None of them calls to Me In its final years, the Indeed, of the northern kingdom’s seventeen rulers, northern kingdom suffers from political instability, only eight died naturally. Hoshea criticizes this, but with four kings assassinated in less than fifteen years adds poignantly that in the efforts to establish a (746-732 BCE). Chapter 7 describes how the dishonest lasting kingship, no one thought to call upon Hashem, princes and nobles constantly conspire against their the only King whose protection is guaranteed and leaders, devouring their judges and killing their kings. everlasting.

31 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ח Chapter 8

יא ַוְי ִהי ֶא ְפַרִים ְּכ ָיוֹנה ָפוֹתה ֵאין ֵלב Instead, Efraim has acted Like a silly dove with no 11 ִמ ְצַרִים ָקָר ּאו ַאשּׁ ּור ָה ָל ּכו׃ mind: They have appealed to Egypt! They have gone to Assyria! יב ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵי ֵל ּכו ֶא ְפרוֹשׂ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ִרשׁ ְ ִּתי When they go, I will spread My net over them, I 12 ְּכעוֹף ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ִאוֹר ֵידם ַאְי ִסֵרם ְּכשׁ ֵ ַמע will bring them down Like birds of the sky; I will ַל ֲע ָד ָתם׃ .chastise them When I hear their bargaining יג אוֹי ָל ֶהם ִּכ ָי־נ ְד ּדו ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי שׁ ֹד ָל ֶהם ִּכי־ Woe to them For straying from Me; Destruction 13 ָפשׁ ְ ּעו ִבי ְו ָא ִנֹכי ֶא ְפ ֵ ּדם ְו ֵה ָּמה ִ ּד ְּב ּרו ָע ַלי to them For rebelling against Me! For I was their ְּכָז ִבים׃ Redeemer; Yet they have plotted treason against Me. יד ְו ָלֹא־ז ֲע ּקו ֵא ַלי ְּב ִל ָּבם ִּכי ְיֵי ִל ּילו ַעל־ But they did not cry out to Me sincerely As they 14 ִמשׁ ְ ְּכ ָבוֹתם ַע ָ ּל־ד ָגן ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ִי ְת ּג ָוֹר ּרו lay wailing. They debauch over new grain and new ָי ּסו ּרו ִבי׃ .wine, They are faithless to Me

Twelve Prophets טו ַו ֲא ִני ִי ַּסְר ִּתי ִחַ ּז ְק ִּתי ְז ָרוֹעֹתם ְו ֵא ַלי I braced, I strengthened their arms, And they plot 15 ְי ַחשְּׁ ּבו ָ־רע׃ !evil against Me טז ָישׁ ּו ּבו לֹא ָעל ָה ּיו ְּכ ֶקשׁ ֶ ת ְר ִמָּיה ִי ְּפ ּלו They come back; They have been of no use, Like 16 ַב ֶחֶרב ָשׂ ֵר ֶיהם ִמַ ּז ַעם ְלשׁ ָוֹנם זוֹ ַל ְע ָּגם ,a slack bow. Their officers shall fall by the sword ְּב ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים׃ Because of the stammering of their tongues. Such shall be [the results of] their jabbering In the land of Egypt. א ֶא ִל־ח ְּכ ָך שׁ ָֹפר ַּכ ֶנּשׁ ֶ ר ַע ֵּל־בית ְי ָהֹוה ַי ַען Put] a shofar to your mouth— Like an eagle] 1 8 ח ָע ְב ּרו ְבִר ִיתי ְו ַע ּל־ת ָוֹר ִתי ָּפשׁ ָ ּעו׃ over the House of Hashem; Because they have transgressed My covenant And been faithless to My teaching. ב ִלי ִיְז ָע ּקו ֱא ַלֹהי ְי ַד ֲע ּנו ָך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ Yisrael cries out to Me, “O my God, we are devoted 2 to You.” ג ָז ַנח ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל טוֹב ֵאוֹיב ִיְר ְ ּדפוֹ׃ Yisrael rejects what is good; An enemy shall pursue 3 him. ד ֵהם ִה ְמ ִל ּיכו ְולֹא ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ֵה ִשׂ ּירו ְולֹא ;They have made kings, But not with My sanction 4 ָי ָד ְע ִּתי ַּכ ְס ָּפם ּוְז ָה ָבם ָע ּשׂו ָל ֶהם ֲע ַצ ִּבים They have made officers, But not of My choice. Of ְל ַמ ַען ִי ָּכֵרת׃ their silver and gold They have made themselves images, To their own undoing. ה ָז ַנח ֶע ְג ֵל ְך שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ָחָרה ַא ִּפי ָּבם ַעד־ He rejects your calf, Shomron! I am furious with 5 ָמ ַתי לֹא ּיו ְכ ּלו ִנ ָּקיֹן׃ ?them! Will they never be capable of purity ו ִּכי ִמִּי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ּהוא ָחָרשׁ ָע ָשׂ ּהו ְולֹא For it was Yisrael’s doing; It was only made by a 6 ֱא ִלֹהים ּהוא ִּכי־שׁ ְ ָב ִבים ִי ְהֶיה ֵע ֶגל joiner, It is not a god. No, the calf of Shomron shall שׁ ְֹמרוֹן׃ !be Reduced to splinters ז ִּכי ּרו ַח ִיְזָר ּעו ְו ּסו ָפ ָתה ִי ְק ּצֹרו ָק ָמה ֵאין־ —They sow wind, And they shall reap whirlwind 7 לוֹ ֶצ ַמח ְּב ִלי ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ֶּה־ק ַמח ּאו ַלי ַי ֲע ֶשׂה Standing stalks devoid of ears And yielding no ָזִרים ִי ְב ָל ֻע ּהו׃ .flour. If they do yield any, Strangers shall devour it

32 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ט Chapter 9

ח ִנ ְב ַלע ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַע ָּתה ָה ּיו ַב ּג ִוֹים ִּכ ְכ ִלי Yisrael is bewildered; They have now become 8 ֵא ֵין־ח ֶפץ ּבוֹ׃ ,among the nations Like an unwanted vessel niv-LA yis-ra-AYL a-TAH ha-YU va-go-YIM kikh-LEE ayn KHAY-fetz BO ט ִּכ ֵי־ה ָּמה ָע ּלו ַאשּׁ ּור ֶּפֶרא ּב ֵוֹדד לוֹ Like] a lonely wild ass. For they have gone up to] 9 ֶא ְפַרִים ִה ְת ּנו ֲא ָה ִבים .Assyria, Efraim has courted friendship י ַּגם ִּכ ִי־י ְת ּנו ַב ּג ִוֹים ַע ָּתה ֲא ַק ְּב ֵצם ַוָּי ֵח ּל ּו ,And while they are courting among the nations 10 ְּמ ָעט ִמ ַּמ ָּשׂא ֶמ ֶל ְך ָשׂ ִרים׃ There I will hold them fast; And they shall begin to diminish in number From the burden of king [and] officers. יא ִּכ ִי־הְר ָּבה ֶא ְפַרִים ִמְז ְּבחֹת ַל ֲחטֹא ָה ּיו־לוֹ For Efraim has multiplied altars—for guilt; His 11 ִמְז ְּבחוֹת ַל ֲחטֹא׃ :altars have redounded to his guilt יב ֶאכתוב־]א ְכ ָּתב־[ לוֹ רבו ֻ]ר ֵּבי[ ּת ָוֹר ִתי The many teachings I wrote for him Have been 12 ְּכ ָמוֹ־זר ֶנ ְחשׁ ָ ּבו׃ .treated as something alien

יג ִז ְב ֵחי ַה ְב ָה ַבי ִיְז ְּב ּחו ָב ָשׂר ַו ּי ֵֹאכ ּלו ְי ָהֹוה Twelve Prophets 13 When they present sacrifices to Me, It is but flesh לֹא ָר ָצם ַע ָּתה ִיְז ּכֹר ֲע ָוׂנם ְוִי ְפקֹד .for them to eat: Hashem has not accepted them ַח ּט ָֹאותם ֵה ָּמה ִמ ְצַרִים ָישׁ ּו ּבו׃ Behold, He remembers their iniquity, He will punish their sins: Back to Egypt with them! יד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכח ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ֵת־עֹשׂ ּהו ַוִּי ֶבן ֵה ָיכלוֹת Yisrael has ignored his Maker And built temples 14 ִו ּיהו ָדה ִהְר ָּבה ָעִרים ְּב ֻצרוֹת ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי־ And Yehuda has fortified many cities). So I will) ֵאשׁ ְּב ָעָריו ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ַאְר ְמ ֶנֹת ָיה׃ set fire to his cities, And it shall consume their fortresses. א ַא ִּל־ת ְשׂ ַמח ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ִּל־גיל ָּכ ַע ִּמים ִּכי Rejoice not, O Yisrael, As other peoples exult; For you 1 9 ט ָז ִנ ָית ֵמ ַעל ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ָא ַה ְב ָּת ֶא ְת ָנן ַעל ָּכל־ have strayed Away from your God: You have loved a ָּגְרנוֹת ָ ּד ָגן׃ .harlot’s fee By every threshing floor of new grain ב ּגֶֹרן ָוֶי ֶקב לֹא ִיְר ֵעם ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ְי ַכ ֶחשׁ ָּב ּה׃ ,Threshing floor and winepress Shall not join them 2 And the new wine shall betray her. ג לֹא ֵישׁ ְ ּבו ְּב ֶאֶרץ ְי ָהֹוה ְושׁ ָ ב ֶא ְפַרִים They shall not be able to remainIn the land of 3 ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ְב ַאשּׁ ּור ָט ֵמא ֵיֹאכ ּלו׃ Hashem.But Efraim shall return to EgyptAnd shall eat unclean food in Assyria. ד ִלֹא־י ְּס ּכו ַל ָיהֹוה ַיִין ְולֹא ֶי ֶעְר ּבו־לוֹ It shall be for them like the food of mourners, All 4 ִז ְב ֵח ֶיהם ְּכ ֶל ֶחם ִאוֹנים ָל ֶהם ָּכ ְל־אֹכ ָליו who partake of which are defiled. They will offer no ִי ַט ָּמ ּאו ִּכ ַי־ל ְח ָמם ְל ַנ ְפשׁ ָ ם לֹא ָיבוֹא ֵּבית libations of wine to Hashem, And no sacrifices of ְי ָהֹוה׃ theirs will be pleasing to Him; But their food will be only for their hunger, It shall not come into the House of Hashem.

8:8 Like an unwanted vessel Hoshea likens Israel to an Israel and Assyria to a person searching for love through empty vessel; once its contents are gone, the container the hire of prostitutes. The tragedy of this relationship is has no value and can be discarded. So too Israel, having that the Israelites turn to other nations, buying their false paid protection money to Assyria and Egypt for years, is and fleeting love, while everlasting love is freely available now bereft of gold and riches. Hence, Assyria no longer from God. Hashem loves them unconditionally, yet they sees any benefit in keeping Israel alive. Furthermore, turn away from Him. in verse 9, Hoshea compares the relationship between

33 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק ט Chapter 9

ה ַמ ַּה־ת ֲע ּשׂו ְליוֹם ֵמוֹעד ּו ְליוֹם ַח ְג־י ָהֹוה׃ What will you do about feast days, About the 5 festivals of Hashem? ו ִּכ ִי־ה ֵנּה ָה ְל ּכו ִמשּׁ ֹד ִמ ְצַרִים ְּת ַק ְּב ֵצם מֹף [Behold, they have gone from destruction [With 6 ְּת ַק ְּבֵרם ַמ ְח ַמד ְל ַכ ְס ָּפם ִק ּמוֹשׂ ִי ָירשׁ ֵ ם ,the silver they treasure. Egypt shall hold them fast ַחוֹח ְּב ָא ֳה ֵל ֶיהם׃ Moph shall receive them in burial. Weeds are their heirs; Prickly shrubs occupy their [old] homes. ז ָּב ּאו ְי ֵמי ַה ְּפ ֻק ָ ּדה ָּב ּאו ְי ֵמי ַהשׁ ִ ֻּלם ֵי ְד ּעו The days of punishment have come For your heavy 7 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֱאִויל ַה ָנּ ִביא ְמשׁ ֻ ָּגע ִאישׁ ָה ּרו ַח guilt; The days of requital have come— LetYisrael ַעל רֹב ֲע ְוׂנ ָך ְוַר ָּבה ַמ ְשׂ ֵט ָמה׃ know it! TheNavi was distraught, The inspired man driven mad By constant harassment. ח ֶצֹפה ֶא ְפַרִים ִע ֱם־א ָלֹהי ָנ ִביא ַּפח ָיקוֹשׁ ,Efraim watches for my God. As for the Navi 8 ַע ָּל־כ ְ ּל־דָר ָכיו ַמ ְשׂ ֵט ָמה ְּב ֵבית ֱא ָלֹהיו׃ Fowlers’ snares are on all his paths, Harassment in the House of his God. ט ֶה ְע ִמ ּיקו־שׁ ִ ֵח ּתו ִּכ ֵימי ַה ִּג ְב ָעה ִיְז ּכוֹר They have been as grievously corrupt As in the days 9

Twelve Prophets ֲע ָוׂנם ִי ְפקוֹד ַח ּט ָֹאותם׃ of Giva; He will remember their iniquity, He will punish their sins. י ַּכ ֲע ָנ ִבים ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ָמ ָצ ִאתי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל I found Yisrael [as pleasing] As grapes in the 10 ְּכ ִב ּכ ּוָרה ִב ְת ֵא ָנה ְּבֵראשׁ ִ ָית ּה ָר ִא ִיתי wilderness; Your fathers seemed to Me Like the ֲא ֵבוֹת ֶיכם ֵה ָּמה ָּב ּאו ַב ַע ְּל־פעוֹר ַוִּי ָנּ ְז ּרו first fig to ripen on a fig tree. But when they came ַל ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ַוִּי ְה ּיו שׁ ִ ּק ּו ִצים ְּכ ָא ֳה ָבם׃ ;to Baal-peor, They turned aside to shamefulness Then they became as detested As they had been loved. ka-a-na-VEEM ba-mid-BAR ma-TZA-tee yis-ra-AYL k’-vi-ku-RAH vit-ay-NAH b’-ray-shee-TAH ra-EE-tee a-vo-tay-KHEM HAY-mah BA-u va-al p’-OR va-yi-na- z’-RU la-BO-shet va-yih-YU shi-ku-TZEEM k’-a-ho-VAM יא ֶא ְפַרִים ָּכעוֹף ִי ְת ֵעוֹפף ְּכ ָבוֹדם ִמ ֵּל ָדה From birth, from the womb, from conception 11 ּו ִמ ֶּב ֶטן ּו ֵמ ֵהָריוֹן׃ .Efraim’s glory shall be Like birds that fly away יב ִּכי ִא ְם־י ַג ְ ּד ּלו ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנ ֶיהם ְושׁ ִ ַּכ ְל ִּתים Even if they rear their infants, I will bereave them 12 ֵמ ָא ָדם ִּכ ַי־גם־אוֹי ָל ֶהם ְּב ּשׂוִרי ֵמ ֶהם׃ of men. Woe to them indeed When I turn away from them! יג ֶא ְפַרִים ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ר ִא ִיתי ְלצוֹר שׁ ְ ּתו ָלה It shall go with Efraim As I have seen it go with 13 ְב ָנֶוה ְו ֶא ְפַרִים ְל ִהוֹציא ֶא ֵל־הֹרג ָּב ָניו׃ Tyre, Which was planted in a meadow; Efraim too must bring out His children to slayers. יד ֵּת ָן־ל ֶהם ְי ָהֹוה ַמ ִּה־ת ֵּתן ֵּת ָן־ל ֶהם ֶר ֶחם Give them, Hashem—give them what? Give them a 14 ַמשׁ ְ ִּכיל ְושׁ ָ ַדִים ְצֹמ ִקים׃ !womb that miscarries, And shriveled breasts

9:10 Then they became as detested as they had been 25), where the people succumbed to the charms of loved Hoshea’s rebukes increasingly draw upon the the Moabite and Midianite women and brought a to emphasize their message. The plague upon themselves. Though they are God’s first prophet mentions the tragedy of Giva (verse 9), fruits, the tastiest on the vine, Israel forgot the clear when the licentiousness of members of the tribe of warning of Sefer Vayikra 18, that sexual immorality Binyamin led to a deadly civil war (Judges 20), and and inappropriate behavior will inevitably lead to their their behavior in the desert at Baal Pe’or (Numbers expulsion from the Land of Israel.

34 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק י Chapter 10

טו ָּכ ָל־ר ָע ָתם ַּב ִּג ְל ָּגל ִּכי־שׁ ָ ם ְשׂ ֵנ ִאתים All their misfortune [began] at Gilgal, For there 15 ַעל ַרֹע ַמ ַע ְל ֵל ֶיהם ִמ ֵּב ִיתי ֲא ָגְרשׁ ֵ ם לֹא I disowned them. For their evil deeds I will drive ֵאוֹסף ַא ֲה ָב ָתם ָּכ ָל־שׂ ֵר ֶיהם ְסֹרִרים׃ ;them out of My House. I will accept them no more All their officials are disloyal. טז ֻה ָּכה ֶא ְפַרִים שׁ ָ ְרשׁ ָ ם ָי ֵבשׁ ְּפִרי בלי־ Efraim is stricken, Their stock is withered; They can 16 ַ]בל־[ ַי ֲע ּשׂון ַּגם ִּכי ֵי ֵל ּדון ְו ֵה ַמ ִּתי produce no fruit. Even if they do bear children, I ַמ ֲח ַמ ֵ ּדי ִב ְט ָנם׃ .will slay their cherished offspring יז ִי ְמ ָא ֵסם ֱא ַלֹהי ִּכי לֹא שׁ ָ ְמ ּעו לוֹ ְוִי ְה ּיו My Hashem rejects them Because they have not 17 ְנֹד ִדים ַּב ּג ִוֹים׃ obeyed Him, And they shall go wandering Among the nations. א ֶּג ֶפן ּב ֵוֹקק ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּפִרי ְישׁ ַ ֶּו ּה־לוֹ ְּכרֹב .Yisrael is a ravaged vine 1 And its fruit is like it 1 10 י ְל ִפְריוֹ ִהְר ָּבה ַל ִּמְז ְּבחוֹת ְּכטוֹב ְל ַאְרצוֹ When his fruit was plentiful, He made altars ֵה ִיט ּיבו ַמ ֵּצבוֹת׃ aplenty; When his land was bountiful, Cult pillars abounded.

Twelve Prophets GE-fen bo-KAYK yis-ra-AYL p’-REE y’-sha-veh LO k’-ROV l’-fir-YO hir-BAH la- miz-b’-KHOT k’-TOV l’-ar-TZO hay-TEE-vu ma-tzay-VOT ב ָח ַלק ִל ָּבם ַע ָּתה ֶי ְאשׁ ָ ּמו ּהוא ַי ֲערֹף Now that his boughs are broken up, He feels his 2 ִמְז ְּב ָחוֹתם ְישׁ ֵֹדד ַמ ֵּצ ָבוֹתם׃ guilt; He himself pulls apart his altars, Smashes his pillars. ג ִּכי ַע ָּתה ְיֹאמ ּרו ֵאין ֶמ ֶל ְך ָל ּנו ִּכי לֹא Truly, now they say, “We have no king; For, since 3 ָיֵר ּאנו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַמ ַּה־י ֲע ֶשׂ ָּה־ל ּנו׃ ”?we do not fear Hashem, What can a king do to us ד ִ ּד ְּב ּרו ְד ָבִרים ָאלוֹת שׁ ָ ְוא ָּכרֹת ְּבִרית So they conclude agreements and make covenants 4 ּו ָפַרח ָּכרֹאשׁ ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ַעל ַּת ְל ֵמי ָשׂ ָדי׃ With false oaths, And justice degenerates into poison weeds, Breaking out on the furrows of the fields. ה ְל ֶע ְגלוֹת ֵּבית ָאֶון ָי ּגו ּרו שׁ ְ ַכן שׁ ְֹמרוֹן The inhabitants ofShomron fear For the calf of Beit 5 ִּכ ָי־א ַבל ָע ָליו ַע ּמוֹ ּו ְכ ָמָריו ָע ָליו ָי ִג ּילו Aven; Indeed, its people and priestlings, Whose ַע ְּל־כבוֹדוֹ ִּכ ָי־ג ָלה ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו׃ joy it once was, Mourn over it for the glory That is departed from it. ו ַּגם־אוֹתוֹ ְל ַאשּׁ ּור ּיו ָבל ִמ ְנ ָחה ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך It too shall be brought to Assyria As tribute to a 6 ָיֵרב ָּבשׁ ְ ָנה ֶא ְפַרִים ִי ָּקח ְוֵיבוֹשׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל patron king; Efraim shall be chagrined, Yisrael shall ֵמ ֲע ָצתוֹ ׃ .be dismayed Because of his plans ז ִנ ְד ֶמה שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ַמ ְל ָּכ ּה ְּכ ֶק ֶצף ַע ְּל־פ ֵני־ Shomron’s monarchy is vanishing Like foam upon 7 ָמִים׃ ,water

10:1 Yisrael is a ravaged vine Throughout the off its grapes. The Hebrew word for ‘ravaged,’ bokek בוקק ’is a play on words, and means both ‘to empty ,(בוקק) Bible, Israel is compared to a grapevine (see, for example, Isaiah 5). Hoshea uses this metaphor to and to ‘lay waste’ (see Isaiah 24:1, Nahum 2:3), and also describe how as Israel prospered, they lavished even ‘luxuriant.’ Though originally prosperous, the people use more money on their idolatries, shedding their their wealth inappropriately, which leads to exile of the Grapes on a vine relationship with God like an overburdened vine casts people and to the land becoming empty and barren. in , Israel

35 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק אי Chapter 11

ח ְו ִנשׁ ְ ְמ ּדו ָּבמוֹת ָאֶון ַח ַּטאת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל קוֹץ Ruined shall be the shrines of [Beth-]aven, That sin 8 ְו ַדְר ַ ּדר ַי ֲע ֶלה ַע ִל־מְז ְּב ָחוֹתם ְו ָא ְמ ּרו of Yisrael. Thorns and thistles Shall grow on their ֶל ָהִרים ַּכ ּס ּו ּנו ְו ַל ְּג ָבעוֹת ִנ ְפ ּלו ָע ֵל ּינו׃ ”!altars. They shall call to the mountains, “Bury us To the hills, “Fall on us!” ט ִמ ֵימי ַה ִּג ְב ָעה ָח ָט ָאת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ָ ם ָע ָמ ּדו You have sinned more, O Yisrael, Than in the days 9 ַלֹא־ת ִּשׂ ֵיגם ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ַע ְּל־ב ֵני of Giva. There they stand [as] atGiva ! Shall they ַע ְלָוה׃ not be overtaken By a war upon scoundrels י ְּב ַאָּו ִתי ְו ֶא ֳּסֵרם ְו ֻא ְּס ּפו ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַע ִּמים As peoples gather against them? When I chose 10 ְּב ָא ְסָרם ִלשׁ ְ ֵּתי עינתם ָ]עוֹנֹתם׃[ them], I broke them in, Harnessing them for two] furrows. יא ְו ֶא ְפַרִים ֶע ְג ָלה ְמ ֻל ָּמ ָדה ַאֹה ְב ִּתי ָל ּדושׁ Efraim became a trained heifer, But preferred to 11 ַו ֲא ִני ָע ַבְר ִּתי ַע ּל־טוב ַצָּו ָאר ּה ַאְר ִּכיב thresh; I placed a yoke Upon her sleek neck. I will ֶא ְפַרִים ַי ֲחרוֹשׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ְי ַשׂ ֶ ּדד־לוֹ ַי ֲעקֹב׃ make Efraim do advance plowing; Yehuda shall do [main] plowing! Yaakov shall do final plowing!

Twelve Prophets יב ִזְר ּעו ָל ֶכם ִל ְצ ָד ָקה ִק ְצ ּרו ְל ִפ ֶי־ח ֶסד ִנ ּירו Sow righteousness for yourselves; Reap the fruits“ 12 ָל ֶכם ִניר ְו ֵעת ִל ְדרוֹשׁ ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ַעד־ of goodness; Break for yourselves betimes fresh ָיבוֹא ְו ֶיֹרה ֶצ ֶדק ָל ֶכם׃ ground Of seeking Hashem, So that you may obtain a teacher of righteousness.” יג ֲחַרשׁ ְ ֶּת ֶם־רשׁ ַ ע ַעְו ָל ָתה ְק ַצְר ֶּתם You have plowed wickedness, You have reaped 13 ֲא ַכ ְל ֶּתם ְּפִר ָי־כ ַחשׁ ִּכ ָי־ב ַט ְח ָּת ְב ַדְר ְּכ ָך iniquity— [And] you shall eat the fruits of ְּברֹב ִּג ּב ֶוֹר ָיך׃ treachery— Because you relied on your way, On your host of warriors. יד ְו ָקאם שׁ ָ אוֹן ְּב ַע ֶּמ ָך ְו ָכ ִל־מ ְב ָצֶר ָיך ּיושַּׁ ד ,But the din of war shall arise in your own people 14 ְּכשֹׁד שׁ ַ ְל ַמן ֵּבית ַאְר ֵבאל ְּביוֹם ִמ ְל ָח ָמה -And all your fortresses shall be ravaged As Beth ֵאם ַע ָּל־ב ִנים ֻר ָּטשׁ ָ ה׃ , was ravaged by Shalman On a day of battle When mothers and babes were dashed to death together. טו ָּכ ָכה ָע ָשׂה ָל ֶכם ֵּב ֵית־אל ִמ ְּפ ֵני ָר ַעת This is whatBeit El has done to you For your 15 ָר ַע ְת ֶכם ַּבשַּׁ ַחר ִנ ְדמֹה ִנ ְד ָמה ֶמ ֶל ְך horrible wickedness: At dawn shall Yisrael’s ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .monarchy Utterly perish א ִּכי ַנ ַער ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָו ֲאֹה ֵב ּהו ּו ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ;I fell in love with Yisrael When he was still a child 1 11 יא ָקָר ִאתי ִל ְב ִני׃ .And I have called [him] My son Ever since Egypt ב ָקְר ּאו ָל ֶהם ֵּכן ָה ְל ּכו ִמ ְּפ ֵנ ֶיהם ַל ְּב ָע ִלים Thus were they called, But they went their own 2 ְיַז ֵּב ּחו ְו ַל ְּפ ִס ִלים ְי ַק ֵּט ּרון׃ way; They sacrifice to Baalim And offer to carved images. ג ְו ָא ִנֹכי ִתְר ַּג ְל ִּתי ְל ֶא ְפַרִים ָק ָחם ַעל־ ;I have pampered Efraim, Taking them in My arms 3 ְז ָרוֹעֹתיו ְולֹא ָי ְד ּעו ִּכי ְר ָפ ִאתים׃ .But they have ignored My healing care ד ְּב ַח ְב ֵלי ָא ָדם ֶא ְמשׁ ְ ֵכם ַּב ֲעבֹתוֹת ַא ֲה ָבה ;I drew them with human ties, With cords of love 4 ָו ֶא ְהֶיה ָל ֶהם ִּכ ְמִר ֵימי עֹל ַעל ְל ֵח ֶיהם But I seemed to them as one Who imposed a yoke ְו ַאט ֵא ָליו ִאוֹכיל׃ .on their jaws, Though I was offering them food ה לֹא ָישׁ ּוב ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ִמ ְצַרִים ְו ַאשּׁ ּור ּהוא No! They return to the land of Egypt, And Assyria 5 ַמ ְל ּכוֹ ִּכי ֵמ ֲא ּנו ָלשׁ ּוב׃ ,is their king. Because they refuse to repent

36 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק בי Chapter 12

ו ְו ָח ָלה ֶחֶרב ְּב ָעָריו ְו ִכ ְּל ָתה ַב ָ ּדיו ְו ָא ָכ ָלה A sword shall descend upon their towns And 6 ִמ ּמ ֲֹע ֵצוֹת ֶיהם׃ consume their limbs And devour [them] because of their designs. ז ְו ַע ִּמי ְת ּלו ִאים ִל ְמשׁ ּו ָב ִתי ְו ֶא ַל־על ;For My people persists In its defection from Me 7 ִי ְקָר ֻא ּהו ַי ַחד לֹא ְי ֵרוֹמם׃ When it is summoned upward, It does not rise at all. ח ֵא ְיך ֶא ֶּת ְנ ָך ֶא ְפַרִים ֲא ַמ ֶּג ְנ ָך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵא ְיך How can I give you up, O Efraim? How surrender 8 ֶא ֶּת ְנ ָך ְכ ַא ְד ָמה ֲא ִשׂ ְימ ָך ִּכ ְצ ִבֹאים ֶנ ְה ַּפ ְך ,you, O Yisrael? How can I make you like Admah ָע ַלי ִל ִּבי ַי ַחד ִנ ְכ ְמ ּרו ִנ ּחו ָמי׃ Render you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart, All My tenderness is stirred. ט לֹא ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ֲחרוֹן ַא ִּפי לֹא ָאשׁ ּוב I will not act on My wrath, Will not turn to destroy 9 ְלשׁ ַ ֵחת ֶא ְפָרִים ִּכי ֵאל ָא ִנֹכי ְו ִלֹא־אישׁ Efraim. For I am Hashem, not man, The Holy One ְּב ִקְר ְּב ָך ָקדוֹשׁ ְולֹא ָאבוֹא ְּב ִעיר׃ .in your midst: I will not come in fury LO e-e-SEH kha-RON a-PEE LO a-SHUV l’-sha-KHAYT ef-RA-yim KEE AYL

Twelve Prophets a-no-KHEE v’-lo EESH b’-kir-b’-KHA ka-DOSH v’-LO a-VO b’-EER י ַא ֲחֵרי ְי ָהֹוה ֵי ְל ּכו ְּכ ַאְרֵיה ִישׁ ְ ָאג ִּכ ּי־הוא Hashem will roar like a lion, And they shall march 10 ִישׁ ְ ַאג ְוֶי ֶחְר ּדו ָב ִנים ִמָּים׃ behind Him; When He roars, His children shall come Fluttering out of the west. יא ֶי ֶחְר ּדו ְכ ִצ ּפוֹר ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ּו ְכ ָיוֹנה ֵמ ֶאֶרץ They shall flutter from Egypt like sparrows, From 11 ַאשּׁ ּור ְוהוֹשׁ ַ ְב ִּתים ַע ָּל־ב ֵּת ֶיהם ְנ ֻאם־ the land of Assyria like doves; And I will settle ְי ָהֹוה׃ .them in their homes —declares Hashem א ְס ָב ֻב ִני ְב ַכ ַחשׁ ֶא ְפַרִים ּו ְב ִמְר ָמה ֵּבית Efraim surrounds Me with deceit, The House of 1 12 יב ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּיהו ָדה עֹד ָרד ִע ֵם־אל ְו ִעם־ Yisrael with guile. (But Yehuda stands firm with ְקדוֹשׁ ִ ים ֶנ ֱא ָמן׃ (.Hashem And is faithful to the Holy One ב ֶא ְפַרִים ֶרֹעה ּרו ַח ְו ֵרֹדף ָק ִדים ָּכ ַל־ה ּיוֹם Efraim tends the wind And pursues the gale; He 2 ָּכָזב ָושׁ ֹד ַיְר ֶּבה ּו ְבִרית ִע ַם־אשּׁ ּור ִי ְכ ּרֹתו is forever adding Illusion to calamity. Now they ְושׁ ֶ ֶמן ְל ִמ ְצַרִים ּיו ָבל׃ make a covenant with Assyria, Now oil is carried to Egypt. ג ְוִריב ַל ָיהֹוה ִע ְם־י ּהו ָדה ְו ִל ְפקֹד ַעל־ Hashem once indicted Yehuda, And punished 3 ַי ֲעקֹב ִּכ ְדָר ָכיו ְּכ ַמ ֲע ָל ָליו ָישׁ ִ יב לוֹ׃ .Yaakov for his conduct, Requited him for his deeds ד ַּב ֶּב ֶטן ָע ַקב ֶא ָת־א ִחיו ּו ְבאוֹנוֹ ָשׂ ָרה ֶאת־ ;In the womb he tried to supplant his brother 4 ֱא ִלֹהים׃ ,Grown to manhood, he strove with a divine being

11:9 I will not act on My wrath Hoshea compares their rebellion, He will not go back on His promise of an Israel to a son that Hashem lovingly carried in eternal bond with the Children of Israel, nor His promise His arms, healed when sick, and taught to walk (verse of redemption. Instead, He will call out to them with a 3). Therefore, as an expression of His love, Hashem states roar like that of a lion, which will be heard in all the that He will not express the fullness of His anger at places of their exile. They will return to Him like a bird Israel’s rebellion, for He is not like man. Rashi explains that returns to its nest, and He will ultimately “settle Rashi that unlike man, God never regrets any good that He them in their homes” (verse 11) when He brings them (1040-1105) performs or promises to carry out. Therefore, despite back to the Land of Israel.

37 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק בי Chapter 12

ה ָוָּי ַשׂר ֶא ַל־מ ְל ָא ְך ַוֻּי ָכל ָּב ָכה ַוִּי ְת ַח ֶנּן־לוֹ He strove with an angel and prevailed— The other 5 ֵּב ֵית־אל ִי ְמ ָצ ֶא ּנּו ְושׁ ָ ם ְי ַד ֵּבר ִע ָּמ ּנו׃ [had to weep and implore him. At Beit El [Yaakov would meet him, There to commune with him. ו ַו ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ַה ְּצ ָבאוֹת ְי ָהֹוה ִז ְכרוֹ׃ Yet Hashem, the God of Hosts, Must be invoked as 6 “Hashem.” ז ְו ַא ָּתה ֵּב ֶאלֹה ָיך ָתשׁ ּוב ֶח ֶסד ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט You must return to your God! Practice goodness 7 שׁ ְ מֹר ְו ַקֵּוה ֶא ֱל־א ֶלֹה ָיך ָּת ִמיד׃ .and justice, And constantly trust in your God ח ְּכ ַנ ַען ְּבָידוֹ ְמֹאז ֵני ִמְר ָמה ַל ֲעשׁ ֹק ָא ֵהב׃ A trader who uses false balances, Who loves to 8 overreach, ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ְפַרִים ַא ְך ָעשׁ ַ ְר ִּתי ָמ ָצ ִאתי אוֹן Efraim thinks, “Ah, I have become rich; I have 9 ִלי ָּכ ְל־י ִג ַיעי לֹא ִי ְמ ְצ ּאו ִ־לי ָעוׂן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ gotten power! All my gains do not amount To an ֵח ְטא׃ ”.offense which is real guilt י ְו ָא ִנֹכי ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים עֹד I Hashem have been your God Ever since the land 10 אוֹשׁ ִ ְיב ָך ָב ֳא ָה ִלים ִּכ ֵימי ֵמוֹעד׃ of Egypt. I will let you dwell in your tents again As in the days of old, Twelve Prophets יא ְו ִד ַּבְר ִּתי ַע ַל־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ְו ָא ִנֹכי ָחזוֹן When I spoke to the Neviim; For I granted many 11 ִהְר ֵּב ִיתי ּו ְבַיד ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ֲא ַד ֶּמה׃ .visions, And spoke parables through the Neviim יב ִא ִּם־ג ְל ָעד ָאֶון ַא ְך־שׁ ָ ְוא ָה ּיו ַּב ִּג ְל ָּגל As for Gilad, it is worthless; And to no purpose 12 שׁ ְ ָוִרים ִז ֵּב ּחו ַּגם ִמְז ְּב ָחוֹתם ְּכ ַג ִּלים ַעל have they Been sacrificing oxen inGilgal : The altars ַּת ְל ֵמי ָשׂ ָדי׃ of these are also Like stone heaps upon a plowed field. יג ַוִּי ְבַרח ַי ֲעקֹב ְשׂ ֵדה ֲאָרם ַוַּי ֲעבֹד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ThenYaakov had to flee to the land of Aram; There 13 ְ ּ ב ִ א שׁ ּ ָ ה ּו ְ ב ִ א שׁ ּ ָ ה שׁ ָ ָ מ ר ׃ Yisrael served for a wife, For a wife he had to guard [sheep]. יד ּו ְב ָנ ִביא ֶה ֱע ָלה ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,But when Hashem Brought Yisrael up from Egypt 14 ִמ ִּמ ְצָרִים ּו ְב ָנ ִביא ִנשׁ ְ ָמר׃ It was through a Navi; Through aNavi they were guarded. uv-na-VEE he-e-LAH a-do-NAI et yis-ra-AYL mi-mitz-RA-yim uv-na-VEE nish- MAR טו ִה ְכ ִעיס ֶא ְפַרִים ַּת ְמ ּרוִרים ְו ָד ָמיו ָע ָליו Efraim gave bitter offense, And his Lord cast 15 ִי ּטוֹשׁ ְו ֶחְר ָּפתוֹ ָישׁ ִ יב לוֹ ֲא ָדֹניו׃ his crimes upon him And requited him for his mockery.

12:14 Through a Navi they were guarded In strenuous conditions, and ultimately had to flee back שמר verses 13 and 14, Hoshea ties together two to Israel. The Egyptians also took advantage of their stories from Israel’s history: Yaakov’s sojourn in Aram guests and enslaved the Israelites. Hoshea uses the meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to ,(שמר) and Israel’s slavery in Egypt. Both places served as Hebrew word shamar refuge. Aram was Yaakov’s asylum from his brother’s guard,’ to connect the two episodes. At the end of verse wrath, and Egypt provided sustenance for Yaakov’s 13, he writes that Yaakov guarded Laban’s sheep from family during the famine. However, in both of those danger, while at the end of verse 14, he says that places, the experiences turned sour. Yaakov was Hashem guarded Israel through His prophet and led deceived by Laban into working for his wives under them out of Egypt to safety.

38 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק גי Chapter 13

א ְּכ ַד ֵּבר ֶא ְפַרִים ְר ֵתת ָנ ָשׂא ּהוא ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ;When Efraim spoke piety, He was exalted in Yisrael 1 13 יג ַוֶּי ְאשׁ ַ ם ַּב ַּב ַעל ַוָּימֹת׃ .But he incurred guilt through Baal, And so he died ב ְו ַע ָּתה ִיוֹס ּפו ַל ֲחטֹא ַוַּי ְע ּשׂו ָל ֶהם ַמ ֵּס ָכה And now they go on sinning; They have made 2 ִמ ַּכ ְס ָּפם ִּכ ְת ּבו ָנם ֲע ַצ ִּבים ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה them molten images, Idols, by their skill, from their ָחָרשׁ ִ ים ֻּכ ּלֹה ָל ֶהם ֵהם ְאֹמִרים ְזֹב ֵחי silver, Wholly the work of craftsmen. Yet for these ָא ָדם ֲע ָג ִלים ִישָּׁ ּקון׃ they appoint men to sacrifice; They are wont to kiss calves! ג ָל ֵכן ִי ְה ּיו ַּכ ֲע ַנ ּן־ב ֶֹקר ְו ַכ ַּטל ַמשׁ ְ ִּכים ֵהֹל ְך Assuredly, They shall be like morning clouds, Like 3 ְּכמֹץ ְי ֵסֹער ִמ ּגֶֹרן ּו ְכ ָעשׁ ָ ן ֵמ ֲאֻר ָּבה׃ dew so early gone; Like chaff whirled away from the threshing floor. And like smoke from a lattice. ד ְו ָא ִנֹכי ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים Only I Hashem have been your God Ever since 4 ֵו ִאלֹהים ּזו ָל ִתי לֹא ֵת ָדע ּומוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ַאִין [the land of Egypt; You have never known a [true ִּב ְל ִּתי׃ Hashem but Me, You have never had a helper other than Me.

ה ֲא ִני ְי ַד ְע ִּת ָיך ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְּב ֶאֶרץ ַּת ְל ֻאבוֹת׃ .Twelve Prophets 5 I looked after you in the desert, In a thirsty land ו ְּכ ַמְר ִע ָיתם ַוִּי ְשׂ ָּב ּעו ָשׂ ְב ּעו ַוָּיָרם ִל ָּבם When they grazed, they were sated; When they 6 ַע ֵּל־כן שׁ ְ ֵכ ּחו ִני׃ were sated, they grew haughty; And so they forgot Me. ז ָו ֱא ִהי ָל ֶהם ְּכמוֹ־שׁ ָ ַחל ְּכ ָנ ֵמר ַע ֶ ּל־דֶר ְך So I am become like a lion to them, Like a leopard I 7 ָ א שׁ ּו ר ׃ ;lurk on the way ח ֶא ְפ ְּגשׁ ֵ ם ְּכדֹב שׁ ַ ּכ ּול ְו ֶא ְקַרע ְסגוֹר Like a bear robbed of her young I attack them And 8 ִל ָּבם ְו ְאֹכ ֵלם שׁ ָ ם ְּכ ָל ִביא ַחַּית ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה rip open the casing of their hearts; I will devour ְּת ַב ְּק ֵעם׃ them there like a lion, The beasts of the field shall mangle them. ef-g’-SHAYM k’-DOV sha-KUL v’-ek-RA s’-GOR li-BAM v’-o-kh’-LAYM SHAM k’-la-VEE kha-YAT ha-sa-DEH t’-va-k’-AYM ט שׁ ִ ֶח ְת ָך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ִי־בי ְב ֶעְזֶר ָך׃ You are undone, O Yisrael! You had no help but 9 Me. י ֱא ִהי ַמ ְל ְּכ ָך ֵאפוֹא ְויוֹשׁ ִ ֲיע ָך ְּב ָכ ָל־עֶר ָיך Where now is your king? Let him save you! Where 10 ְושׁ ְֹפ ֶט ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמְר ָּת ְּת ָנ ִּה־לי ֶמ ֶל ְך are the chieftains in all your towns Whom you ְו ָשׂ ִרים׃ ?”demanded: “Give me a king and officers יא ֶא ֶּת ְן־ל ָך ֶמ ֶל ְך ְּב ַא ִּפי ְו ֶא ַּקח ְּב ֶע ְבָר ִתי׃ I give you kings in my ire, And take them away in 11 My wrath. יב ָצ ּרור ֲעוׂן ֶא ְפָרִים ְצ ּפו ָנה ַח ָּטאתוֹ׃ .Efraim’s guilt is bound up, His sin is stored away 12

13:8 Like a bear robbed of her young Hoshea animals. Therefore, the sense of anger at the loss of her portrays Hashem in His ferocious anger at the cubs is correspondingly much stronger. Similarly, God Children of Israel, as a female bear whose cubs have cared for Israel for so long that His sense of loss at their been stolen. Radak notes that the mother bear takes rejection of Him is enormous. Syrian brown bears care of her young cubs much more than most other at the Jerusalem Zoo

39 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק די Chapter 14

יג ֶח ְב ֵלי ֵיוֹל ָדה ָי ּבֹאו לוֹ ּהו ֵא־בן לֹא ָח ָכם Pangs of childbirth assail him, And the babe is 13 ִּכ ֵי־עת ַלֹא־י ֲעמֹד ְּב ִמשׁ ְ ַּבר ָּב ִנים׃ not wise— For this is no time to survive At the birthstool of babes. יד ִמַּיד שׁ ְ אוֹל ֶא ְפ ֵ ּדם ִמ ָּמֶות ֶא ְג ָא ֵלם ֱא ִהי From Sheol itself I will save them, Redeem them 14 ְד ָבֶר ָיך ָמֶות ֱא ִהי ָק ָט ְב ָך שׁ ְ אוֹל ַנֹחם from very Death. Where, O Death, are your ִי ָּס ֵתר ֵמ ֵע ָיני׃ plagues? Your pestilence where, O Sheol? Revenge shall be far from My thoughts. טו ִּכי ּהוא ֵּבן ַא ִחים ַי ְפִריא ָיבוֹא ָק ִדים ּרו ַח For though he flourish among reeds, A blast, a 15 ְי ָהֹוה ִמ ִּמ ְד ָּבר ֶעֹלה ְוֵיבוֹשׁ ְמקוֹרוֹ ְוֶי ֱחַרב wind of Hashem, Shall come blowing up from ַמ ְעָינוֹ ּהוא ִישׁ ְ ֶסה ַאוֹצר ָּכ ְּל־כ ִלי ֶח ְמ ָ ּדה׃ ,the wilderness; His fountain shall be parched His spring dried up. That [wind] shall plunder treasures, Every lovely object. א ֶּת ְאשׁ ַ ם שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ִּכי ָמְר ָתה ֵּב ֶאלֹה ָיה Shomron must bear her guilt, For she has defied 1 14 יד ַּב ֶחֶרב ִי ּפ ֹּלו ְעֹל ֵל ֶיהם ְיֻר ָּטשׁ ּו ְו ָהִר ּי ָוֹתיו her God. They shall fall by the sword, Their infants ְי ֻב ָּק ּעו׃ shall be dashed to death, And their women with child ripped open. Twelve Prophets ב שׁ ּו ָבה ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַעד ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ִּכי Return, O Yisrael, to Hashem your God, For you 2 ָכשׁ ַ ְל ָּת ַּב ֲע ֶוׂנ ָך׃ .have fallen because of your sin SHU-vah yis-ra-AYL AD a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha KEE kha-SHAL-ta ba-a-vo-NE- kha ג ְק ּחו ִע ָּמ ֶכם ְ ּד ָבִרים ְושׁ ּו ּבו ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה Take words with you And return to Hashem. Say to 3 ִא ְמ ּרו ֵא ָליו ָּכ ִּל־ת ָּשׂא ָעוׂן ְו ַקח־טוֹב ;Him: “Forgive all guilt And accept what is good ּו ְנשׁ ַ ְּל ָמה ָפִרים ְשׂ ָפ ֵת ּינו׃ Instead of bulls we will pay [The offering of] our lips. ד ַאשּׁ ּור לֹא יוֹשׁ ִ ֵיע ּנו ַע ּל־סוס לֹא ִנְר ָּכב Assyria shall not save us, No more will we ride on 4 ְו ַלֹא־נֹאמר עוֹד ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ְל ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה ָי ֵד ּינו steeds; Nor ever again will we call Our handiwork ֲאשׁ ֶ ְּר־ב ָך ְיֻר ַחם ָיתוֹם׃ ”!our god, Since in You alone orphans find pity ה ֶאְר ָּפא ְמשׁ ּו ָב ָתם ֲאֹה ֵבם ְנ ָד ָבה ִּכי שׁ ָ ב I will heal their affliction, Generously will I take 5 ַא ּ ִפי ִמ ֶּמנּ ּו׃ them back in love; For My anger has turned away from them. ו ֶא ְהֶיה ַכ ַּטל ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִי ְפַרח ַּכשּׁ וֹשׁ ַ ָנּה ְוַי ְך I will be to Yisrael like dew; He shall blossom like 6 שׁ ָ ָרשׁ ָ יו ַּכ ְּל ָבנוֹן׃ .the lily, He shall strike root like a Lebanon tree

14:2 Return, O Yisrael, to Hashem your God that their sinfulness has led to their predicament, as he שוב Hoshea concludes his prophecy with a direct cry says “you have fallen because of your sin.” More to Israel to repent and return to Hashem. This is a central importantly, the commentators note that Hoshea uses (אל) which means ‘to,’ instead of el ,(עד) theme of Hoshea’s prophecies; in this short book, the the word ad appears twenty-five which means ‘towards.’ For repentance to work, it cannot ,(שוב) Hebrew word for ‘return,’ shuv times. Hoshea holds out hope that if the people be a fleeting fancy or a mere turning in God’s direction. wholeheartedly repent and return, the upcoming Rather, the people must embrace a sincere commitment devastation can still be avoided. But for that to happen, to renew the relationship with God and return, not just two things must occur. First, the people must recognize towards, but all the way to Hashem.

40 הושע Hoshea/Hosea פרק די Chapter 14

ז ֵי ְל ּכו ְיֹנ ָקוֹתיו ִו ִיהי ַכַ ּזִית הוֹדוֹ ְוֵר ַיח לוֹ His boughs shall spread out far, His beauty shall 7 ַּכ ְּל ָבנוֹן׃ be like the olive tree’s, His fragrance like that of Lebanon. ח ָישׁ ֻ ּבו יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ְב ִצ ּלוֹ ְי ַח ּי ּו ָד ָגן ְוִי ְפְר ּחו ַכ ָּג ֶפן They who sit in his shade shall be revived: They 8 ִז ְכרוֹ ְּכֵיין ְל ָבנוֹן׃ shall bring to life new grain, They shall blossom like the vine; His scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. ט ֶא ְפַרִים ַמ ִּה־לי עוֹד ָל ֲע ַצ ִּבים ֲא ִני ָע ִנ ִיתי Efraim [shall say]: “What more have I to do with 9 ַו ֲאשׁ ּוֶר ּנּו ֲא ִני ִּכ ְברוֹשׁ ַר ֲע ָנן ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ֶּפְרְי ָך idols? When I respond and look to Him, I become ִנ ְמ ָצא׃ like a verdant cypress.” Your fruit is provided by Me. י ִמי ָח ָכם ְוָי ֵבן ֵא ֶּלה ָנבוֹן ְוֵי ָד ֵעם ִּכי־ He who is wise will consider these words, He who 10 ְישׁ ָ ִרים ַ ּדְר ֵכי ְי ָהֹוה ְו ַצ ִ ּד ִקים ֵי ְל ּכו ָבם is prudent will take note of them. For the paths of ּופֹשׁ ְ ִעים ִי ָּכשׁ ְ ּלו ָבם׃ Hashem are smooth; The righteous can walk on them, While sinners stumble on them. Twelve Prophets

41

Sefer Yoel The Book of Joel

The second book of theTrei Asar, Sefer Yoel (Joel), consists of four small chapters. Aside from his father’s name, we know nothing of the prophet’s personal life, and the absence of historical references in the book make pinpointing when he lived near impossible. However, Yoel’s message is clear: Through repentance, disaster can be averted and judgment can be transformed to mercy. Indeed, Yoel is one of the few prophets who successfully effects a transformation among the people. The book has an easily identifiable structure. The first two chapters describe an impending invasion of locusts in Yehuda, a manifestation of God’s judgment. This plague of locusts is metaphorically compared to an invading army from the north. However, when the people repent, rains fall and restore the land, and the invasion is repelled. In the third chapter, the outpouring of rain becomes a metaphor for an outpouring of God’s spirit among the people, as the “day of Hashem,” judgment day, approaches. In the final chapter,Hashem punishes the nations who hated Israel and threatened Yerushalayim. Ultimately, the land is restored and the People of Israel will dwell securely on it.

43

Twelve Prophets יואל Yoel/Joel פרק א Chapter 1

א ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ֶא ֵל־יוֹאל ֶּבן־ .The word ofHashem that came to Yoel son of Petuel 11 א ְּפ ּתו ֵאל׃ ב שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו־זֹאת ַהְ ּז ֵק ִנים ְו ַה ֲאִז ּינו ּכֹל יוֹשׁ ְ ֵבי Listen to this, O elders, Give ear, all inhabitants of 2 ָה ָאֶרץ ֶה ָהְי ָתה ּזֹאת ִּב ֵימ ֶיכם ְו ִאם ִּב ֵימי the land. Has the like of this happened in your days ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם׃ ?Or in the days of your fathers ג ָע ֶל ָיה ִל ְב ֵנ ֶיכם ַס ֵּפ ּרו ּו ְב ֵנ ֶיכם ִל ְב ֵנ ֶיהם Tell your children about it, And let your children 3 ּו ְב ֵנ ֶיהם ְלדוֹר ַא ֵחר׃ !tell theirs, And their children the next generation ד ֶי ֶתר ַה ָּגָזם ָא ַכל ָה ַאְר ֶּבה ְוֶי ֶתר ָה ַאְר ֶּבה ;What the cutter has left, the locust has devoured 4 ָא ַכל ַהָּי ֶלק ְוֶי ֶתר ַהֶּי ֶלק ָא ַכל ֶה ָח ִסיל׃ ;What the locust has left, the grub has devoured And what the grub has left, the hopper has devoured. YE-ter ha-ga-ZAM a-KHAL ha-ar-BEH v’-YE-ter ha-ar-BEH a-KHAL ha-YA-lek v’-YE-ter ha-YE-lek a-KHAL he-kha-SEEL ה Wake up, you drunkards, and weep, Wail, all you 5 ָה ִק ּיצו שׁ ִ ּכ ִוֹרים ּו ְב ּכו ְו ֵה ִיל ּלו ָּכל־שׁ ֵֹתי Twelve Prophets ָיִין ַע ָל־ע ִסיס ִּכי ִנ ְכַרת ִמ ִּפ ֶיכם׃ swillers of wine— For the new wine that is denied you! ו ִּכי־גוֹי ָע ָלה ַע ַל־אְר ִצי ָע ּצום ְו ֵאין ִמ ְס ָּפר For a nation has invaded my land, Vast beyond 6 שׁ ִ ָנּיו שׁ ִ ֵנּי ַאְרֵיה ּו ְמ ַת ְּלעוֹת ָל ִביא לוֹ׃ counting, With teeth like the teeth of a lion, With the fangs of a lion’s breed. ז ָשׂם ַּג ְפ ִני ְלשׁ ַ ָּמה ּו ְת ֵא ָנ ִתי ִל ְק ָצ ָפה ָחשֹׂף They have laid my vines waste And splintered my 7 ֲח ָשׂ ָפ ּה ְו ִהשׁ ְ ִל ְיך ִה ְל ִּב ּינו ָשׂ ִר ֶיג ָיה׃ fig trees: They have stripped off their bark and thrown [it] away; Their runners have turned white. ח ֱא ִלי ִּכ ְב ּתו ָלה ֲח ֻגַר ַת־שׂק ַע ַּל־ב ַעל Lament—like a maiden girt with sackcloth For the 8 ְנ ּעוֶר ָיה׃ !husband of her youth ט ָה ְכַרת ִמ ְנ ָחה ָו ֶנ ֶס ְך ִמ ֵּבית ְי ָהֹוה ָא ְב ּלו Offering and libation have ceased From the House 9 ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ְמשׁ ָ ְר ֵתי ְי ָהֹוה׃ of Hashem; TheKohanim must mourn Who minister to Hashem. י שׁ ֻ ַ ּדד ָשׂ ֶדה ָא ְב ָלה ֲא ָד ָמה ִּכי שׁ ֻ ַ ּדד ָ ּד ָגן ;The country is ravaged, The ground must mourn 10 ִהוֹבישׁ ִּתירוֹשׁ ֻא ְמ ַלל ִי ְצ ָהר׃ For the new grain is ravaged, The new wine is dried up, The new oil has failed.

1:4 What the cutter has left, the locust has than the one that preceded it. Some commentators devoured In Israel and the Middle East, swarms understand this prophecy literally. Others see it as a of locusts are not uncommon. The insects appear in the metaphor for the different enemy nations that attack spring, sweeping across northern Africa into Egypt, and the people in their land. Indeed, the prophet Amos from there across the Sinai Peninsula into Israel. Today, writes about a plague of locusts devouring the crops of we can predict their arrival and control the damage they the northern kingdom (Amos 7:1-3). Either way, Yoel A swarm of locusts cause, but in ancient times, they could wreak havoc and calls upon the people to wake up from their drunken over the town of Naveh, Israel cause massive devastation, even destroying an entire stupor (verse 5) to meet the threat, recognizing that it year’s crop. In this verse, Yoel describes a plague of four is a result of their sins. different species of locusts, each one more destructive

45 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ב Chapter 2

יא ִהֹבישׁ ּו ִא ָּכִרים ֵה ִיל ּילו ּכְֹר ִמים ַע ִל־ח ָּטה Farmers are dismayed And vine dressers wail Over 11 ְו ַע ְל־שׂ ָעֹרה ִּכי ָא ַבד ְק ִציר ָשׂ ֶדה׃ .wheat and barley; For the crops of the field are lost יב ַה ֶּג ֶפן ִהוֹבישׁ ָ ה ְו ַה ְּת ֵא ָנה ֻא ְמ ָל ָלה ִר ּמוֹן ,The vine has dried up, The fig tree withers 12 ַּג ָּם־ת ָמר ְו ַת ּפ ּו ַח ָּכ ֲל־ע ֵצי ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ָי ֵבשׁ ּו Pomegranate, palm, and apple— All the trees of ִּכ ִי־הֹבישׁ ָשׂשׂוֹן ִמ ְּן־ב ֵני ָא ָדם׃ the field are sear. And joy has dried up Among men. יג ִח ְג ּרו ְו ִס ְפ ּדו ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֵה ִיל ּילו ְמשׁ ָ ְר ֵתי Gird yourselves and lament, O Kohanim, Wail, O 13 ִמְז ֵּב ַח ּב ֹּאו ִל ּינו ַב ַּשׂ ִּקים ְמשׁ ָ ְר ֵתי ֱא ָלֹהי ministers of the mizbayach; Come, spend the night ִּכי ִנ ְמ ַנע ִמ ֵּבית ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ִמ ְנ ָחה ָו ָנ ֶס ְך׃ in sackcloth, O ministers of my God For offering and libation are withheld From the House of your God. יד ַק ְ ּדשׁ ּו־צוֹם ִקְר ּאו ֲע ָצָרה ִא ְס ּפו ְז ֵק ִנים Solemnize a fast, Proclaim an assembly; Gather 14 ּכֹל יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָה ָאֶרץ ֵּבית ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם the elders—all the inhabitants of the land— In ְוַז ֲע ּקו ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה׃ the House of Hashem your God, And cry out to

Hashem. Twelve Prophets טו ֲא ָה ּה ַל ּיוֹם ִּכי ָקרוֹב יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְכשׁ ֹד Alas for the day! For the day of Hashem is near; It 15 ִמשׁ ַ ַ ּדי ָיבוֹא׃ .shall come like havoc from Shaddai טז ֲהלוֹא ֶנ ֶגד ֵע ֵינ ּינו ֶאֹכל ִנ ְכָרת ִמ ֵּבית For food is cut off Before our very eyes, And joy 16 ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ָו ִגיל׃ .and gladness From the House of our God יז ָע ְבשׁ ּו ְפֻרדוֹת ַּת ַחת ֶמ ְגְר ֵפֹת ֶיהם ָנשׁ ַ ּמ ּו The seeds have shriveled Under their clods. The 17 ָאֹצרוֹת ֶנ ֶהְר ּסו ַמ ְּמ ֻגרוֹת ִּכי ִהֹבישׁ ָ ּד ָגן׃ granaries are desolate, Barns are in ruins, For the new grain has failed. יח ַמ ֶה־נּ ֶא ְנ ָחה ְב ֵה ָמה ָנ ּבֹכו ֶע ְדֵרי ָב ָקר How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are 18 ִּכי ֵאין ִמְר ֶעה ָל ֶהם ַּג ֶם־ע ְדֵרי ַה ּצֹאן bewildered Because they have no pasture, And the ֶ נ ְ א שׁ ָ מ ּו ׃ .flocks of sheep are dazed יט ֵא ֶל ָיך ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְקָרא ִּכי ֵאשׁ ָא ְכ ָלה ְנאוֹת To You, Hashem, I call. For fire has consumed The 19 ִמ ְד ָּבר ְו ֶל ָה ָבה ִל ֲה ָטה ָּכ ֲל־ע ֵצי ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ pastures in the wilderness, And flame has devoured All the trees of the countryside. כ ַּג ַּם־ב ֲהמוֹת ָשׂ ֶדה ַּת ֲערוֹג ֵא ֶל ָיך ִּכי ָי ְבשׁ ּו The very beasts of the field Cry out to You; For the 20 ֲא ִפ ֵיקי ָמִים ְו ֵאשׁ ָא ְכ ָלה ְנאוֹת ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ watercourses are dried up, And fire has consumed The pastures in the wilderness. א ִּת ְק ּעו שׁ ָוֹפר ְּב ִצ ּיוֹן ְו ָהִר ּיעו ְּב ַהר ָק ְדשׁ ִ י Blow a shofar in Tzion, Sound an alarm on My holy 1 2 ב ִיְר ְּג ּזו ּכֹל יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָה ָאֶרץ ִּכ ָי־בא ְיוֹם־י ָהֹוה mount! Let all dwellers on earth tremble, For the ִּכי ָקרוֹב׃ —day of Hashem has come! It is close ב יוֹם חֹשׁ ֶ ְך ַו ֲא ֵפ ָלה יוֹם ָע ָנן ַו ֲעָר ֶפל ְּכשׁ ַ ַחר A day of darkness and gloom, A day of densest 2 ָּפֻרשׂ ַע ֶל־ה ָהִרים ַעם ַרב ְו ָע ּצום ָּכ ּמֹהו ,cloud Spread like soot over the hills. A vast לֹא ִנ ְהָיה ִמ ָן־ה ָעוֹלם ְו ַא ֲחָריו לֹא ֵיוֹסף enormous horde— Nothing like it has ever ַעד־שׁ ְ ֵני ּדוֹר ָודוֹר׃ happened, And it shall never happen again Through the years and ages. ג ְל ָפ ָניו ָא ְכ ָלה ֵאשׁ ְו ַא ֲחָריו ְּת ַל ֵהט ֶל ָה ָבה Their vanguard is a consuming fire, Their rear 3 ְּכ ַג ֵן־ע ֶדן ָה ָאֶרץ ְל ָפ ָניו ְו ַא ֲחָריו ִמ ְד ַּבר guard a devouring flame. Before them the land was שׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ְו ַג ְּם־פ ֵל ָיטה ָלֹא־הְי ָתה ּלוֹ׃ like the Garden of Eden, Behind them, a desolate waste: Nothing has escaped them.

46 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ב Chapter 2

ד ְּכ ַמְר ֵאה ּסו ִסים ַמְר ֵא ּהו ּו ְכ ָפָרשׁ ִ ים ֵּכן They have the appearance of horses, They gallop 4 ְי ּרו ּצון׃ .just like steeds ה ְּכקוֹל ַמְר ָּכבוֹת ַע ָל־ראשׁ ֵ י ֶה ָהִרים With a clatter as of chariots They bound on the 5 ְיַר ֵּק ּדון ְּכקוֹל ַל ַהב ֵאשׁ ְאֹכ ָלה ָקשׁ ְּכ ַעם hilltops, With a noise like a blazing fire Consuming ָע ּצום ֱע ּרו ְך ִמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ .straw; Like an enormous horde Arrayed for battle ו ִמ ָּפ ָניו ָי ִח ּילו ַע ִּמים ָּכ ָּל־פ ִנים ִק ְּב ּצו .Peoples tremble before them, All faces turn ashen 6 ָפ ּארור׃ ז ְּכ ִג ּב ִוֹרים ְיֻר ּצון ְּכ ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ַי ֲע ּלו They rush like warriors, They scale a wall like 7 ָחוֹמה ְו ִאישׁ ִּב ְדָר ָכיו ֵי ֵל ּכון ְולֹא ְי ַע ְּב ּטון fighters. And each keeps to his own track. Their ְאֹר ָחוֹתם׃ ;paths never cross ח ְו ִאישׁ ָא ִחיו לֹא ִי ְד ָח ּקון ֶּג ֶבר ִּב ְמ ִס ָּלתוֹ No one jostles another, Each keeps to his own 8 ֵי ֵל ּכון ּו ְב ַעד ַהשֶּׁ ַלח ִי ּפ ֹּלו לֹא ִי ְב ָצ ּעו׃ ,course. And should they fall through a loophole They do not get hurt. ט 9 ָּב ִעיר ָישׁ ֹּק ּו ַּב ָחוֹמה ְיֻר ּצון ַּב ָּב ִּתים ַי ֲע ּלו ;Twelve Prophets They rush up the wall, They dash about in the city ְּב ַעד ַה ַח ּל ִוֹנים ָי ּבֹאו ַּכ ַּג ָנּב׃ They climb into the houses, They enter like thieves By way of the windows. י ְל ָפ ָניו ָר ְגָזה ֶאֶרץ ָר ֲעשׁ ּו שׁ ָ ָמִים שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ Before them earth trembles, Heaven shakes, Sun 10 ְוָיֵר ַח ָק ָד ּרו ְו ָכוֹכ ִבים ָא ְס ּפו ָנ ְג ָהם׃ and moon are darkened, And stars withdraw their brightness. יא ַו ָיהֹוה ָנ ַתן קוֹלוֹ ִל ְפ ֵני ֵחילוֹ ִּכי ַרב ְמאֹד ;And Hashem roars aloud At the head of His army 11 ַמ ֲח ֵנ ּהו ִּכי ָע ּצום ֵעֹשׂה ְד ָברוֹ ִּכ ָי־גדוֹל For vast indeed is His host, Numberless are those ְיוֹם־י ָהֹוה ְו ָנוֹרא ְמאֹד ּו ִמי ְי ִכ ֶיל ּנּו׃ ,that do His bidding. For great is the day of Hashem Most terrible—who can endure it? יב ְו ַג ַם־ע ָּתה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה שׁ ֻ ּבו ָע ַדי ְּב ָכל־ Yet even now”—says Hashem— “Turn back to Me“ 12 ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ּו ְבצוֹם ּו ְב ְב ִכי ּו ְב ִמ ְס ֵּפד׃ with all your hearts, And with fasting, weeping, and lamenting.” יג ְו ִקְר ּעו ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ְו ַא ִּל־ב ְג ֵד ֶיכם ְושׁ ּו ּבו Rend your hearts Rather than your garments, And 13 ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ִּכ ַי־ח ּנּון ְוַר ּחום ּהוא turn back to Hashem your God. For He is gracious ֶאֶר ְך ַא ַּפִים ְוַר ֶב־ח ֶסד ְו ִנ ָחם ַע ָל־הָר ָעה׃ and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in kindness, And renouncing punishment. v’-kir-U l’-vav-KHEM v’-al big-day-KHEM v’-SHU-vu el a-do-NAI e-lo-hay- KHEM kee kha-NUN v’-ra-KHUM HU E-rekh a-PA-yim v’-rav KHE-sed v’-ni- KHAM al ha-ra-AH

2:13 Rend your hearts rather than your garments of remorse. He then references the divine attributes of Yoel tells the Children of Israel that all is not lost; if they mercy detailed in Shemot (34:6-7)in the context of the repent, the impending disaster can be averted. However, giving of the second set of tablets of the Law, which the repentance must not focus on external symbols and symbolizes the renewal of the covenant. By mentioning behavior, but rather must consist of a genuine change the divine attributes, Yoel reminds his people that God in thoughts and actions. Tearing one’s clothing is a sign gives second chances, and also hints to them how they of mourning (see for example II Samuel 3:31), but Yoel should behave in order to once again find favor in His cautions that these actions must reflect genuine feelings eyes.

47 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ב Chapter 2

יד ִמי ֵיוֹד ַע ָישׁ ּוב ְו ִנ ָחם ְו ִהשׁ ְ ִאיר ַא ֲחָריו Who knows but He may turn and relent, And 14 ְּבָר ָכה ִמ ְנ ָחה ָו ֶנ ֶס ְך ַל ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם׃ leave a blessing behind For meal offering and drink offering ToHashem your God? טו ִּת ְק ּעו שׁ ָוֹפר ְּב ִצ ּיוֹן ַק ְ ּדשׁ ּו־צוֹם ִקְר ּאו Blow a shofar in Tzion, Solemnize a fast, Proclaim 15 ֲע ָצָרה׃ !an assembly טז ִא ְס ּפו ָ־עם ַק ְ ּדשׁ ּו ָק ָהל ִק ְב ּצו ְז ֵק ִנים Gather the people, Bid the congregation purify 16 ִא ְס ּפו ָעוֹל ִלים ְו ְיֹנ ֵקי שׁ ָ ָדִים ֵי ֵצא ָח ָתן themselves. Bring together the old, Gather the ֵמ ֶח ְדרוֹ ְו ַכ ָּלה ֵמ ֻח ָּפ ָת ּה׃ babes And the sucklings at the breast; Let the bridegroom come out of his chamber, The bride from her canopied couch. יז ֵּבין ָה ּאו ָלם ְו ַל ִּמְז ֵּב ַח ִי ְב ּכ ּו ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים Between the portico and the mizbayach, Let the 17 ְמשׁ ָ ְר ֵתי ְי ָהֹוה ְו ְיֹאמ ּרו ּחו ָסה ְי ָהֹוה :Kohanim, Hashem’s ministers, weep And say ַע ַל־ע ֶּמ ָך ְו ַא ִּל־ת ֵּתן ַנ ֲח ָל ְת ָך ְל ֶחְר ָּפה Oh, spare Your people, Hashem! Let not Your“ ִל ְמשׁ ָ ָּל־בם ּג ִוֹים ָל ָּמה ְיֹאמ ּרו ָב ַע ִּמים possession become a mockery, To be taunted by ּ

Twelve Prophets ַאֵיה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם׃ nations! Let not the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” יח ַוְי ַק ֵנּא ְי ָהֹוה ְל ַאְרצוֹ ַוַּי ְחמֹל ַע ַל־ע ּמוֹ׃ ThenHashem was roused On behalf of His land 18 And had compassion Upon His people. יט ַוַּי ַען ְי ָהֹוה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ַע ּמוֹ ִה ְנ ִני שׁ ֵֹל ַח ָל ֶכם In response to His people Hashem declared: “I will 19 ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָגן ְו ַה ִּתירוֹשׁ ְו ַהִּי ְצ ָהר ּו ְשׂ ַב ְע ֶּתם grant you the new grain, The new wine, and the אֹתוֹ ְו ֶלֹא־א ֵּתן ֶא ְת ֶכם עוֹד ֶחְר ָּפה .new oil, And you shall have them in abundance ַ ּב ּגוֹ ִים׃ Nevermore will I let you be A mockery among the nations. כ ְו ֶא ַת־ה ְּצ ִפוֹני ַאְר ִחיק ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ְו ִה ַ ּד ְח ִּתיו I will drive the northerner far from you, I will 20 ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ִצָּיה ּושׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ֶא ָּת־פ ָניו ֶאל־ thrust it into a parched and desolate land— Its van ַהָּים ַה ַּק ְד ִמֹני ְוסֹפוֹ ֶא ַל־הָּים ָה ַא ֲחרוֹן ;to the Eastern Sea And its rear to the Western Sea ְו ָע ָלה ָב ְאשׁ וֹ ְו ַת ַעל ַצ ֲח ָנתוֹ ִּכי ִה ְג ִ ּדיל And the stench of it shall go up, And the foul smell ַל ֲעשׂ וֹ ת׃ .rise.” For [Hashem] shall work great deeds כא ַא ִּל־ת ְיר ִאי ֲא ָד ָמה ִּג ִילי ּו ְשׂ ָמ ִחי ִּכי־ Fear not, O soil, rejoice and be glad; For Hashem 21 ִה ְג ִ ּדיל ְי ָהֹוה ַל ֲעשׂוֹת׃ .has wrought great deeds כב ַא ִּל־ת ְיר ּאו ַּב ֲהמוֹת ָשׂ ַדי ִּכי ָדשׁ ְ ּאו ְנאוֹת Fear not, O beasts of the field, For the pastures in 22 ִמ ְד ָּבר ִּכ ֵי־עץ ָנ ָשׂא ִפְריוֹ ְּת ֵא ָנה ָו ֶג ֶפן the wilderness Are clothed with grass. The trees ָנ ְת ּנו ֵח ָילם׃ have borne their fruit; Fig tree and vine Have yielded their strength. כג ּו ְב ֵני ִצ ּיוֹן ִּג ּילו ְו ִשׂ ְמ ּחו ַּב ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם O children of Tzion, be glad, Rejoice in Hashem 23 ִּכ ָי־נ ַתן ָל ֶכם ֶא ַת־ה ּמ ֶוֹרה ִל ְצ ָד ָקה ַו ּי ֶוֹרד your God. For He has given you the early rain in ָל ֶכם ֶּגשׁ ֶ ם ֶמוֹרה ּו ַמ ְלקוֹשׁ ָּבִראשׁ וֹן׃ [His] kindness, Now He makes the rain fall [as] formerly— The early rain and the late— כד ּו ָמ ְל ּאו ַה ֳּגָרנוֹת ָּבר ְו ֵהשׁ ִ ּיקו ַהְי ָק ִבים And threshing floors shall be piled with grain, And 24 ִּתירוֹשׁ ְוִי ְצ ָהר׃ .vats shall overflow with new wine and oil כה ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְמ ִּתי ָל ֶכם ֶא ַת־השָּׁ ִנים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַכל I will repay you for the years Consumed by“ 25 ָה ַאְר ֶּבה ַהֶּי ֶלק ְו ֶה ָח ִסיל ְו ַה ָּגָזם ֵח ִילי swarms and hoppers, By grubs and locusts, The ַה ָּגדוֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ָּב ֶכם׃ .great army I let loose against you

48 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ג Chapter 3

כו ַו ֲא ַכ ְל ֶּתם ָאכוֹל ְו ָשׂ ַבוֹע ְו ִה ַּל ְל ֶּתם ֶאת־ And you shall eat your fill And praise the name of 26 שׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה ִע ָּמ ֶכם Hashem your God Who dealt so wondrously with ְל ַה ְפ ִליא ְו ֵלֹא־יבֹשׁ ּו ַע ִּמי ְל ָעוֹלם׃ .you— My people shall be shamed no more כז ִו ַיד ְע ֶּתם ִּכי ְב ֶקֶרב ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָא ִני ַו ֲא ִני And you shall know That I am in the midst of 27 ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ְו ֵאין עוֹד ְו ֵלֹא־יבֹשׁ ּו ַע ִּמי Yisrael: That IHashem am your God And there ְל ָעוֹלם׃ is no other. And My people shall be shamed no more.” א ְו ָהָיה ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ֶאשׁ ְ ּפ ְוֹך ֶא ּת־רו ִחי ;After that, I will pour out My spirit on all flesh 1 3 ג ַע ָּל־כ ָּל־ב ָשׂר ְו ִנ ְּב ּאו ְּב ֵנ ֶיכם ּו ְב ֵנוֹת ֶיכם Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; Your old ִז ְק ֵנ ֶיכם ֲחלֹמוֹת ַי ֲח ּלֹמון ַּב ּחוֵר ֶיכם men shall dream dreams, And your young men ֶחְזיֹנוֹת ִיְר ּאו׃ .shall see visions v’-ha-YAH a-kha-ray KHAYN esh-POKH et ru-KHEE al kol ba-SAR v’-ni-b’-U b’-nay-KHEM uv-no-tay-KHEM zik-nay-KHEM kha-lo-MOT ya-kha-lo-MUN ba-KHU-ray-KHEM khez-yo-NOT yir-U

ב ְו ַגם ַע ָל־ה ֲע ָב ִדים ְו ַע ַל־השְּׁ ָפחוֹת ַּבָּי ִמים Twelve Prophets 2 I will even pour out My spirit Upon male and ָה ֵה ָּמה ֶאשׁ ְ ּפ ְוֹך ֶא ּת־רו ִחי׃ .female slaves in those days ג ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי ְמוֹפ ִתים ַּבשָּׁ ַמִים ּו ָב ָאֶרץ ָ ּדם Before the great and terrible day of Hashem 3 ָו ֵאשׁ ְו ִת ֲימרוֹת ָעשׁ ָ ן׃ :comes,* I will set portents in the sky and on earth Blood and fire and pillars of smoke; ד ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ֵי ָה ֵפ ְך ְלחֹשׁ ֶ ְך ְו ַהָּיֵר ַח ְל ָדם ִל ְפ ֵני The sun shall turn into darkness And the moon 4 ּבוֹא יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ַה ָּגדוֹל ְו ַה ָנּוֹרא׃ .into blood ה ְו ָהָיה ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ְקָרא ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ִי ָּמ ֵלט But everyone who invokes the name of Hashem 5 ִּכי ְּב ַה ִר־צ ּיוֹן ּו ִב ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִּת ְהֶיה ְפ ֵל ָיטה shall escape; for there shall be a remnant on Mount ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ּו ַב ְּשׂ ִר ִידים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר .Tzion and in Yerushalayim, as Hashem promised ְי ָהֹוה ֵקֹרא׃ Anyone who invokes Hashem will be among the survivors. א ִּכי ִה ֵנּה ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵה ָּמה ּו ָב ֵעת ַה ִהיא For lo! in those days 1 And in that time, When I 1 4 ד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר אשוב ָ]אשׁ ִ יב[ ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּבות ְי ּהו ָדה ,restore the fortunes Of Yehuda and Yerushalayim ִו ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ ב ְו ִק ַּב ְצ ִּתי ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ְו ַהוֹר ְד ִּתים ֶאל־ I will gather all the nations And bring them down 2 ֵע ֶמק ְיהוֹשׁ ָ ָפט ְו ִנשׁ ְ ַּפ ְט ִּתי ִע ָּמם שׁ ָ ם ַעל־ to the Valley of Yehoshafat. There I will contend ַע ִּמי ְו ַנ ֲח ָל ִתי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּפְ ּז ּרו ַב ּג ִוֹים ,with them Over My very own people, Yisrael ְו ֶא ַת־אְר ִצי ִח ֵּל ּקו׃ Which they scattered among the nations. For they divided My land among themselves

* “Before the great and terrible day of Hashem comes” brought up from verse 4 for clarity

3:1 I will pour out My spirit on all flesh Yoel all Hashem’s people were prophets, that Hashem put describes how, in the end of days, there will be His spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29). The medieval an outpouring of God’s spirit and prophecy among all commentator Ibn Ezra narrows the meaning of Yoel’s people, young and old, male and female. This is, in fact, prophecy to those who reside in the Land of Israel. Moshe’s fervent wish when Yehoshua confronts him Only in the Holy Land can one reach the spiritual Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra with the complaint that Eldad and Medad are heights necessary to communicate with the Divine. (1089-1167) prophesying in the camp. Moshe responds “would that

49 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ד Chapter 4

ג ְו ֶא ַל־ע ִּמי ַי ּד ּו ָגוֹרל ַוִּי ְּת ּנו ַהֶּי ֶלד ַּב ּז ָוֹנה And cast lots over My people; And they bartered 3 ְו ַהַּי ְל ָ ּדה ָמ ְכ ּרו ַבַּיִין ַוִּישׁ ְ ּת ּו׃ a boy for a whore, And sold a girl for wine, which they drank. ד ְו ַגם ָמ ַה־א ֶּתם ִלי צֹר ְו ִצידוֹן ְוכֹל ְּג ִלילוֹת ,What is this you are doing to Me, O Tyre, Sidon 4 ְּפ ָלשׁ ֶ ת ַה ְּג ּמול ַא ֶּתם ְמשׁ ַ ְּל ִמים ָע ָלי and all the districts of Philistia? Are you requiting ְו ִא ּם־ג ְֹמ ִלים ַא ֶּתם ָע ַלי ַקל ְמ ֵהָרה ָאשׁ ִ יב Me for something I have done, or are you doing ְּג ֻמ ְל ֶכם ְּברֹאשׁ ְ ֶכם׃ something for My benefit? Quick as a flash, I will pay you back; ה ֲאשׁ ֶ ַּר־כ ְס ִּפי ּוְז ָה ִבי ְל ַק ְח ֶּתם ּו ַמ ֲח ַמ ַ ּדי for you have taken My gold and My silver, and have 5 ַה ּט ִֹבים ֲה ֵב ֶאתם ְל ֵה ְיכ ֵל ֶיכם׃ ;carried off My precious treasures to your palaces ו ּו ְב ֵני ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ְב ֵני ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְמ ַכְר ֶּתם ִל ְב ֵני and you have sold the people of Yehuda and the 6 ַהְּיָו ִנים ְל ַמ ַען ַהְר ִח ָיקם ֵמ ַעל ְּג ּבו ָלם׃ people of Yerushalayim to the Ionians, so that you have removed them far away from their homeland. ז ִה ְנ ִני ְמ ִע ָירם ִמ ַן־ה ָּמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־מ ַכְר ֶּתם Behold, I will rouse them to leave the place you 7

Twelve Prophets ָאֹתם שׁ ָ ָּמה ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ִבֹתי ְג ֻמ ְל ֶכם ְּברֹאשׁ ְ ֶכם׃ :have sold them to, and I will pay you back ח ּו ָמ ַכְר ִּתי ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנ ֶיכם ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנוֹת ֶיכם ְּבַיד I will deliver your sons and daughters into the 8 ְּב ֵני ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ְמ ָכ ּרום ִלשׁ ְ ָב ִאים ֶא ּל־גוֹי hands of the people of Yehuda, and they will ָרחוֹק ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ִ ּד ֵּבר׃ sell them into captivity to a distant nation—for Hashem has spoken. ט ִקְר ּאו־זֹאת ַּב ּג ִוֹים ַק ְ ּדשׁ ּו ִמ ְל ָח ָמה Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for 9 ָה ִע ּירו ַה ִּג ּב ִוֹרים ִי ְּגשׁ ּו ַי ֲע ּלו ּכֹל ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י battle! Arouse the warriors, Let all the fighters ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ !come and draw near י ּכ ֹּת ּו ִא ֵּת ֶיכם ַל ֲחָרבוֹת ּו ַמְז ְמ ֵרֹת ֶיכם Beat your plowshares into swords, And your 10 ִלְר ָמ ִחים ַה ַח ָּלשׁ ַיֹאמר ִּג ּבוֹר ָא ִני׃ pruning hooks into spears. Let even the weakling say, “I am strong.” יא ּעושׁ ּו ָו ּבֹאו ָכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ִמ ָּס ִביב ְו ִנ ְק ָּב ּצו Rouse yourselves and come, All you nations; Come 11 שׁ ָ ָּמה ַה ְנ ַחת ְי ָהֹוה ִּג ּב ֶוֹר ָיך׃ together From roundabout. There bring down Your warriors, Hashem! יב ֵי ּעוֹרו ְוַי ֲע ּלו ַה ּג ִוֹים ֶא ֵל־ע ֶמק ְיהוֹשׁ ָ ָפט Let the nations rouse themselves and march up 12 ִּכי שׁ ָ ם ֵאשׁ ֵ ב ִלשׁ ְ ּפֹט ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים To the Valley of Yehoshafat; For there I will sit in ִמ ָּס ִביב׃ .judgment Over all the nations roundabout יג שׁ ִ ְל ּחו ַמ ָּגל ִּכי ָבשׁ ַ ל ָק ִציר ּב ֹּאו ְר ּדו Swing the sickle, For the crop is ripe; Come 13 ִּכ ָי־מ ְל ָאה ַּגת ֵהשׁ ִ ּיקו ַהְי ָק ִבים ִּכי ַר ָּבה and tread, For the winepress is full, The vats are ָר ָע ָתם׃ .overflowing! For great is their wickedness יד ֲה ִמוֹנים ֲה ִמוֹנים ְּב ֵע ֶמק ֶה ָח ּרוץ ִּכי ָקרוֹב Multitudes upon multitudes In the Valley of 14 יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ֵע ֶמק ֶה ָח ּרוץ׃ Decision! For the day of Hashem is at hand In the Valley of Decision. טו שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ְוָיֵר ַח ָק ָד ּרו ְו ָכוֹכ ִבים ָא ְס ּפו ָנ ְג ָהם׃ Sun and moon are darkened, And stars withdraw 15 their brightness. טז ַו ָיהֹוה ִמ ִּצ ּיוֹן ִישׁ ְ ָאג ּו ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִי ֵּתן And Hashem will roar from Tzion, And shout 16 קוֹלוֹ ְוָר ֲעשׁ ּו שׁ ָ ַמִים ָו ָאֶרץ ַו ָיהֹוה ַמ ֲח ֶסה aloud from Yerushalayim, So that heaven and ְל ַע ּמוֹ ּו ָמעוֹז ִל ְב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ earth tremble. But Hashem will be a shelter to His people, A refuge to the children of Yisrael.

50 יואל Yoel/Joel פרק ד Chapter 4

יז ִו ַיד ְע ֶּתם ִּכי ֲא ִני ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם שׁ ֵֹכן And you shall know that I Hashem your God Dwell 17 ְּב ִצ ּיוֹן ַה ָר־ק ְדשׁ ִ י ְו ָהְי ָתה ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ֶקֹדשׁ in Tzion, My holy mount. And Yerushalayim shall ְוָזִרים ַלֹא־י ַע ְב ּרו ָ־ב ּה עוֹד׃ .be holy; Nevermore shall strangers pass through it יח ְו ָהָיה ַב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִי ְּט ּפו ֶה ָהִרים ָע ִסיס And in that day, The mountains shall drip with 18 ְו ַה ְּג ָבעוֹת ֵּת ַל ְכ ָנה ָח ָלב ְו ָכ ֲל־א ִפ ֵיקי wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the ְי ּהו ָדה ֵי ְל ּכו ָמִים ּו ַמ ְעָין ִמ ֵּבית ְי ָהֹוה ֵי ֵצא watercourses of Yehuda shall flow with water; A ְו ִהשׁ ְ ָקה ֶא ַת־נ ַחל ַהשִּׁ ִּטים׃ spring shall issue from the House of Hashem And shall water the Wadi of the Acacias. יט ִמ ְצַרִים ִלשׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ִת ְהֶיה ֶו ֱאדוֹם ְל ִמ ְד ַּבר Egypt shall be a desolation, And Edom a desolate 19 שׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ִּת ְהֶיה ֵמ ֲח ַמס ְּב ֵני ְי ּהו ָדה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ waste, Because of the outrage to the people of שׁ ָ ְפ ּכו ָד ָם־נ ִקיא ְּב ַאְר ָצם׃ Yehuda, In whose land they shed the blood of the innocent. כ ִו ּיהו ָדה ְל ָעוֹלם ֵּתשׁ ֵ ב ִו ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְלדוֹר But Yehuda shall be inhabited forever, And 20 ָודוֹר׃ .Yerushalayim throughout the ages

Twelve Prophets vee-hu-DAH l’-o-LAM tay-SHAYV vee-ru-sha-LA-im l’-DOR va-DOR כא ְו ִנ ֵּק ִיתי ָ ּד ָמם ִלֹא־נ ֵּק ִיתי ַו ָיהֹוה שׁ ֵֹכן Thus I will treat as innocent their blood Which I 21 ְ ּב ִצ ּיוֹ ן׃ have not treated as innocent; And Hashem shall dwell in Tzion.

4:20 But Yehuda shall be inhabited forever For centuries, this area has been known as the region of Yehuda is Yaakov’s fourth son. When the land is Yehuda, or Judea. Though many people seek to sever divided amongst the tribes of Israel, Yehuda receives the the bond between the Jewish people and Judea, the vast territory south of Yerushalayim, extending from the biblical heartland of the Jewish people, through His Dead Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west. prophet Yoel God promises that Yehuda will exist forever.

51

Sefer Amos The Book of Amos

The third book ofTrei Asar, Sefer Amos (Amos), contains some of the strongest calls for social justice in the Bible, and indeed, in all of human history. Like his contemporaries Yeshayahu, Hoshea and Micha, Amos prophesied in the middle of the eighth century BCE, in the generation preceding the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel at the hands of Assyria in 722 BCE. This was the period ofYerovam II, whose rule represented the last era of stability and prosperity the kingdom of Israel enjoyed before its descent into instability and eventual dissolution. The superscription to his book mentions that he prophesied “two years before the earthquake.” Excavations at Hazor have uncovered evidence of a major earthquake that caused extensive damage to the region in the year 760 BCE. Amos describes himself as both a shepherd (1:1) and as a “tender of sycamore figs” (7:14). Accordingly, his prophecies often draw their metaphors from nature. Though he himself is wealthy, he is especially sympathetic to the plight of the working-class farmers, who find themselves paying full tribute to the ruling functionaries in the capital and to the shrine at Beit El, even when suffering from drought, plague and famine. They were compelled to take out heavy loans to continue farming, and their clothes and their children are taken as pledges to secure their debts (2:6-8, 8:4-6). The book contains three main sections. The first two chapters state that just as other nations courted disaster through their failure to behave morally, Israel will not escape a similar fate. The next four chapters wrestle with the people’s claim that their prosperity is evidence of God’s favor. The final three chapters describe in clear detail the prophet’s visions of the disasters that await the people should they refuse to heed his warning and repent.

53

עמוס Amos/Amos פרק א Chapter 1

א ִ ּד ְבֵרי ָעמוֹס ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־הָיה ַב ְנֹּק ִדים ִמ ְּת ַקוֹע ,The words ofAmos , a sheepbreeder from Tekoa 1 1 א ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָחָזה ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּב ֵימי ֻעִזָּיה ֶמ ֶל ְך־ who prophesied concerning Yisrael in the reigns ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ִב ֵימי ָיָר ְב ָעם ֶּב ָן־יוֹאשׁ ֶמ ֶל ְך of Kings Uzziyahu of Yehuda and Yerovam son of ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ְ ָנ ַתִים ִל ְפ ֵני ָהָר ַעשׁ ׃ .Yoash of Yisrael, two years before the earthquake ב ַו ּי ַֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ִמ ִצ ּיוֹן ִישׁ ְ ָאג ּו ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם He proclaimed: Hashem roars from Tzion, Shouts 2 ִי ֵּתן קוֹלוֹ ְו ָא ְב ּלו ְנאוֹת ָה ִרֹעים ְוָי ֵבשׁ aloud from Yerushalayim; And the pastures of רֹאשׁ ַה ַּכְר ֶמל׃ the shepherds shall languish, And the summit of Carmel shall wither. ג ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי hus said Hashem: For three transgressions of 3 ַד ֶּמ ֶשׂק ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַעל־ Damascus, For four, I will not revoke it: Because ּד ּושׁ ָ ם ַּב ֲחֻרצוֹת ַה ַּבְרֶזל ֶא ַת־ה ִּג ְל ָעד׃ .they threshed Gilad With threshing boards of iron ד ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֵאשׁ ְּב ֵבית ֲחָז ֵאל ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ,I will send down fire upon the palace of Hazael 4 ַאְר ְמנוֹת ֶּב ֲן־ה ָדד׃ .And it shall devour the fortresses of Ben-hadad ה ְושׁ ָ ַבְר ִּתי ְּבִר ַיח ַ ּד ֶּמ ֶשׂק ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי יוֹשׁ ֵ ב I will break the gate bars of Damascus, And wipe 5 ְ ִמ ִּב ְק ַע ָת־אֶון ְו ֵתוֹמך שׁ ֵ ֶבט ִמ ֵּבית ֶע ֶדן Twelve Prophets out the inhabitants from the Vale of Aven And the ְו ָג ּלו ַע ֲם־אָרם ִק ָירה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה׃ sceptered ruler of Beth-eden; And the people of Aram shall be exiled to Kir —said Hashem. ו ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי ַעָ ּזה ,Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of Azza 6 ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַע ַל־ה ְג ָלוֹתם For four, I will not revoke it: Because they exiled an ָּג ּלות שׁ ְ ֵל ָמה ְל ַה ְס ִּגיר ֶל ֱאדוֹם׃ .entire population, Which they delivered to Edom ז ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֵאשׁ ְּב ַחוֹמת ַעָ ּזה ְו ָא ְכ ָלה I will send down fire upon the wall ofAzza , And it 7 ַאְר ְמ ֶנֹת ָיה׃ ;shall devour its fortresses ח ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ֵמ ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ְו ֵתוֹמ ְך שׁ ֵ ֶבט And I will wipe out the inhabitants of And 8 ֵמ ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ִיבוֹתי ָי ִדי ַע ֶל־ע ְקרוֹן the sceptered ruler of Ashkelon; And I will turn My ְו ָא ְב ּדו שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָא ַמר ֲא ָדֹני hand against Ekron, And the Philistines shall perish ְי ִהוה׃ .to the last man —said Hashem ט ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי־צֹר ,Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of Tyre 9 ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַע ַל־ה ְס ִּג ָירם For four, I will not revoke it: Because they handed ָּג ּלות שׁ ְ ֵל ָמה ֶל ֱאדוֹם ְולֹא ָז ְכ ּרו ְּבִרית over An entire population to Edom, Ignoring the ַא ִחים׃ .covenant of brotherhood י ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֵאשׁ ְּב ַחוֹמת צֹר ְו ָא ְכ ָלה I will send down fire upon the wall of Tyre, And it 10 ַאְר ְמ ֶנֹת ָיה׃ .shall devour its fortresses יא ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of 11 ֱאדוֹם ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַעל־ Edom, For four, I will not revoke it: Because he ָר ְדפוֹ ַב ֶחֶרב ָא ִחיו ְושׁ ִ ֵחת ַר ֲח ָמיו ַוִּי ְטרֹף pursued his brother with the sword And repressed ָל ַעד ַא ּפוֹ ְו ֶע ְבָרתוֹ שׁ ְ ָמָרה ֶנ ַצח׃ all pity, Because his anger raged unceasing And his fury stormed unchecked. KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI al sh’-lo-SHAH pish-AY e-DOM v’-al ar-ba-AH LO a-shee- VE-nu al rod-FO va-KHE-rev a-KHEEV v’-shi-KHAYT ra-kha-MAV va-yit-ROF la-AD a-PO v’-ev-ra-TO sh’-ma-RAH NE-tzakh

1:11 Because his anger raged unceasing Amos delivers When the Land of Israel could no longer bear to have a harsh prophecy against the southern nation of Edom. both Yaakov and Esau dwell there together, Esau chose

55 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ב Chapter 2

יב ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֵאשׁ ְּב ֵת ָימן ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ַאְר ְמנוֹת I will send down fire upon Teman, And it shall 12 ָּב ְצָרה׃ .devour the fortresses of Bozrah

יג ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of the 13 ְב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו Amonites, For four, I will not revoke it: Because ַע ִּל־ב ְק ָעם ָהרוֹת ַה ִּג ְל ָעד ְל ַמ ַען ַהְר ִחיב they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilad In ֶא ְּת־ג ּבו ָלם׃ .order to enlarge their own territory

יד ְו ִה ַּצ ִּתי ֵאשׁ ְּב ַחוֹמת ַר ָּבה ְו ָא ְכ ָלה I will set fire to the wall of Rabbah, And it shall 14 ַאְר ְמ ֶנוֹת ָיה ִּב ְת ּרו ָעה ְּביוֹם ִמ ְל ָח ָמה devour its fortresses, Amid shouting on a day of ְּב ַס ַער ְּביוֹם ּסו ָפה .battle, On a day of violent tempest

טו ְו ָה ַל ְך ַמ ְל ָּכם ַּב ּג ָוֹלה ּהוא ְו ָשׂ ָריו ַי ְח ָ ּדו Their king and his officers shall go Into exile 15 ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה׃ .together —said Hashem ב א ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי ָמוֹאב Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of 1 2 Twelve Prophets ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַע ָל־שׂ ְרפוֹ Moab, For four, I will not revoke it: Because he ַע ְצמוֹת ֶמ ֶל ְך ֱ־אדוֹם ַל ִּשׂיד׃ .burned the bones Of the king of Edom to lime

ב ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּת ֵי־אשׁ ְּב ָמוֹאב ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ַאְר ְמנוֹת I will send down fire upon Moab, And it shall 2 ַה ְּקִר ּיוֹת ּו ֵמת ְּבשׁ ָ אוֹן ָמוֹאב ִּב ְת ּרו ָעה devour the fortresses of Kerioth. And Moab shall ְּבקוֹל שׁ ָוֹפר׃ die in tumult, Amid shouting and the blare of shofarot; ג ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי שׁ ֵוֹפט ִמ ִּקְר ָּב ּה ְו ָכ ָל־שׂ ֶר ָיה I will wipe out the ruler from within her And slay 3 ֶא ֱהרוֹג ִע ּמוֹ ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה׃ . all her officials along with him —saidHashem

ד ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי ְי ּהו ָדה Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of 4 ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו ַע ָל־מ ֳא ָסם Yehuda, For four, I will not revoke it: Because they ֶא ּת־ת ַוֹרת ְי ָהֹוה ְו ֻח ָּקיו לֹא שׁ ָ ָמ ּרו have spurned the Teaching of Hashem And have ַוַּי ְת ּעום ִּכְז ֵב ֶיהם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ה ְל ּכו ֲא ָבוֹתם not observed His laws; They are beguiled by the ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם׃ .delusions After which their fathers walked

ה ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֵאשׁ ִּב ּיהו ָדה ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ַאְר ְמנוֹת I will send down fire uponYehuda , And it shall 5 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ .devour the fortresses of Yerushalayim

to leave for Mount Seir, which became the territory of capture Israelites who tried to escape (Obadiah 1:10-15). Edom (Genesis 36:6-8). The Edomites are traditionally Their sin was even more heinous because Israel was thought to be descendants of Esau, and are held proscribed from attacking them (Deuteronomy 2:4), and accountable for maintaining the fires of enmity and because they refused to abandon old hatreds. Once a hatred towards Yaakov’s descendants. Their hatred prosperous area (I Samuel 14:47), the land of Edom is for Yaakov’s descendants was so great, and lasted so today a desolate desert, as promised in Yechezkel (35:9), long, that during Yehuda’s downfall at the hands of the “I will make you a desolation for all time; your towns Babylonians, the Edomites rejoiced and cheered, took shall never be inhabited, and you shall know that I am spoils from the war and even helped the Babylonians Hashem.”

56 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ב Chapter 2

ו ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי Thus saidHashem : For three transgressions of 6 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַע ַל־אְר ָּב ָעה לֹא ֲאשׁ ִ ֶיב ּנּו Yisrael, For four, I will not revoke it: Because they ַע ִל־מ ְכָרם ַּב ֶּכ ֶסף ַצ ִ ּדיק ְו ֶא ְביוֹן ַּב ֲע ּבור ,have sold for silver Those whose cause was just ַנ ֲע ָלִים׃ .And the needy for a pair of sandals KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI al sh’-lo-SHAH pish-AY yis-ra-AYL v’-alar-ba-AH LO a-shee-VE-nu al mikh-RAM ba-KE-sef tza-DEEK v’-ev-YON ba-a-VUR na-a-LA- yim ז ַהשּׁ ֲֹא ִפים ַע ֲל־ע ַפ ֶר־אֶרץ ְּברֹאשׁ ַ ּד ִּלים Ah,] you who trample the heads of the poor Into 7 ְו ֶדֶר ְך ֲע ָנִוים ַי ּט ּו ְו ִאישׁ ְו ָא ִביו ֵי ְל ּכו ֶאל־ the dust of the ground, And make the humble walk ַה ַנּ ֲעָרה ְל ַמ ַען ַח ֵּלל ֶאת־שׁ ֵ ם ָק ְדשׁ ִ י׃ a twisted course! Father and son go to the same girl, And thereby profane My holy name. ח ְו ַע ְּל־ב ָג ִדים ֲח ֻב ִלים ַי ּט ּו ֵא ֶצל ָּכ ִל־מְז ֵּב ַח They recline by every On garments taken in 8 ְוֵיין ֲע ּנושׁ ִ ים ִישׁ ְ ּת ּו ֵּבית ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם׃ pledge, And drink in the House of their God Wine bought with fines they imposed. 9 ט ְו ָא ִנֹכי ִהשׁ ְ ַמ ְד ִּתי ֶא ָת־ה ֱא ִמֹרי ִמ ְּפ ֵנ ֶיהם Twelve Prophets Yet I Destroyed the Amorite before them, Whose ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּכ ַגֹב ּה ֲאָרִזים ָּג ְבהוֹ ְו ָחסֹן ּהוא stature was like the cedar’s And who was stout ָּכ ַא ּל ִוֹנים ָו ַאשׁ ְ ִמיד ִּפְריוֹ ִמ ַּמ ַעל ְושׁ ָ ָרשׁ ָ יו as the oak, Destroying his boughs above And his ִמ ָּת ַחת׃ !trunk below י ְו ָא ִנֹכי ֶה ֱע ֵל ִיתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים And I Brought you up from the land of Egypt And 10 ָו ֵאוֹל ְך ֶא ְת ֶכם ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ַאְר ָּב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה led you through the wilderness forty years, To ָלֶרשׁ ֶ ת ֶא ֶת־אֶרץ ָה ֱא ִמֹרי׃ !possess the land of the Amorite יא ָו ָא ִקים ִמ ְּב ֵנ ֶיכם ִל ְנ ִב ִיאים ּו ִמ ַּב ּחוֵר ֶיכם And I raised up Neviim from among your sons And 11 ִל ְנִזִרים ַה ַאף ֵאין־זֹאת ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְנ ֻאם־ nazirites from among your young men. Is that not ְי ָהֹוה׃ .so, O people of Yisrael? —says Hashem יב ַו ַּתשׁ ְ ּקו ֶא ַת־ה ְנּ ִזִרים ָיִין ְו ַע ַל־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים But you made the nazirites drink wine And ordered 12 ִצִּו ֶיתם ֵלאמֹר לֹא ִּת ָנּ ְב ּאו׃ .the Neviim not to prophesy יג ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ֵמ ִעיק ַּת ְח ֵּת ֶיכם ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּת ִעיק Ah, I will slow your movements As a wagon is 13 ָה ֲע ָג ָלה ַה ְמ ֵל ָאה ָל ּה ָע ִמיר׃ .slowed When it is full of cut grain יד ְו ָא ַבד ָמנוֹס ִמ ָּקל ְו ָחָזק ְלֹא־י ַא ֵּמץ ּכֹחוֹ Flight shall fail the swift, The strong shall find no 14 ְו ִג ּבוֹר ְלֹא־י ַמ ֵּלט ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ׃ .strength, And the warrior shall not save his life

2:6 Because they have sold for silver those whose poor by purchasing all the land surrounding a poor cause was just Amos begins his denunciation person’s field, preventing him from accessing his lot. of Israel’s crimes with the statement that “they have They would then compell the poor man to sell his sold for silver those whose cause was just, and the property at heavily discounted prices, forcing him into needy for a pair of sandals “. The earliest commentators poverty. In this way, not only did the rich take took this as an allusion to the sale of Yosef by his advantage of the less fortunate, but they forced them Rashi (1040-1105) brothers. Rashi, however, suggests an alternative into selling their ancestral property. The crime of explanation based on the Hebrew word for ‘shoe’, na’al appropriating a person’s ancestral property, his which also means ‘to lock’ or ‘close in’. According connection to the Land of Israel, is denounced in I ,(נעל) to Rashi, the rich would “close in” the property of the Kings chapter 21 and Isaiah 5:8.

57 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ג Chapter 3

טו ְו ֵתֹפשׂ ַה ֶּקשׁ ֶ ת לֹא ַי ֲעמֹד ְו ַקל ְּבַר ְג ָליו The bowman shall not hold his ground, And the 15 לֹא ְי ַמ ֵּלט ְו ֵרֹכב ַה ּס ּוס לֹא ְי ַמ ֵּלט ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ׃ fleet-footed shall not escape, Nor the horseman save his life. טז ְו ַא ִּמיץ ִל ּבוֹ ַּב ִּג ּב ִוֹרים ָערוֹם ָי ּנוס ַּב ּיוֹם־ Even the most stouthearted warrior Shall run away 16 ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .unarmed that day —declares Hashem א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ְי ָהֹוה Hear this word, O people of Yisrael, ThatHashem 1 3 ג ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַעל ָּכ ַל־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפ ָחה has spoken concerning you, Concerning the whole ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶה ֱע ֵל ִיתי ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצַרִים ֵלאמֹר׃ :family that I brought up from the land of Egypt ב ַרק ֶא ְת ֶכם ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִמ ּכֹל ִמשׁ ְ ְּפחוֹת You alone have I singled out Of all the families of 2 ָה ֲא ָד ָמה ַע ֵּל־כן ֶא ְפקֹד ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֵאת ָּכל־ the earth— That is why I will call you to account ֲע ֵוׂנֹת ֶיכם׃ .For all your iniquities ג ֲהֵי ְל ּכו שׁ ְ ַנִים ַי ְח ָ ּדו ִּב ְל ִּתי ִא ָם־נוֹע ּדו׃ ?Can two walk together Without having met 3 ד ֲהִישׁ ְ ַאג ַאְרֵיה ַּבַּי ַער ְו ֶטֶרף ֵאין לוֹ ֲהִי ֵּתן Does a lion roar in the forest When he has no 4

Twelve Prophets ְּכ ִפיר קוֹלוֹ ִמ ְּמ ָעֹנתוֹ ִּב ְל ִּתי ִא ָם־ל ָכד׃ prey? Does a great beast let out a cry from its den Without having made a capture? ha-yish-AG ar-YAY ba-YA-ar v’-TE-ref AYN LO ha-yi-TAYN k’-FEER ko-LO mi- m’-o-na-TO bil-TEE im la-KHAD ה ֲה ִת ּפֹל ִצ ּפוֹר ַע ַּל־פח ָה ָאֶרץ ּו ֵמוֹקשׁ ֵאין Does a bird drop on the ground—in a trap— With 5 ָל ּה ֲהַי ֲע ֶל ַּה־פח ִמ ָן־ה ֲא ָד ָמה ְו ָלכוֹד לֹא no snare there? Does a trap spring up from the ִי ְל ּכוֹ ד׃ ?ground Unless it has caught something ו ִא ִם־י ָּת ַקע שׁ ָוֹפר ְּב ִעיר ְו ָעם לֹא ֶי ֱחָר ּדו When a shofar is sounded in a town, Do the people 6 ִא ִּם־ת ְהֶיה ָר ָעה ְּב ִעיר ַו ָיהֹוה לֹא ָע ָשׂה׃ not take alarm? Can misfortune come to a town If Hashem has not caused it? ז ִּכי לֹא ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ָ ּד ָבר ִּכי ִאם־ Indeed, my God does nothing Without having 7 ָּג ָלה סוֹדוֹ ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים׃ .revealed His purpose To His servants the Neviim ח ַאְרֵיה שׁ ָ ָאג ִמי לֹא ִי ָירא ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ִ ּד ֶּבר A lion has roared, Who can but fear? My Hashem 8 ִמי לֹא ִי ָנּ ֵבא׃ ?has spoken, Who can but prophesy ט ַהשׁ ְ ִמ ּיעו ַע ַל־אְר ְמנוֹת ְּב ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ְו ַעל־ Proclaim in the fortresses of Ashdod And in the 9 ַאְר ְמנוֹת ְּב ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים ְו ִא ְמ ּרו ֵה ָא ְס ּפו fortresses of the land of Egypt! Say: Gather on the ַע ָל־הֵרי שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ּוְר ּאו ְמ ּהומֹת ַר ּבוֹת hill of Shomron And witness the great outrages ְּב ָתוֹכ ּה ַו ֲעשׁ ּו ִקים ְּב ִקְר ָּב ּה׃ .within her And the oppression in her midst י ְו ָלֹא־י ְד ּעו ֲע ְשׂוֹת־נ ָכֹחה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה They are incapable of doing right —declares 10 ָה ְאוֹצִרים ָח ָמס ָושׁ ֹד ְּב ַאְר ְמ ֵנוֹת ֶיהם׃ Hashem; They store up lawlessness and rapine In their fortresses.

3:4 Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? In unperceptive animal, on the other hand, will get caught ancient Israel, lions inhabited the forested areas of the and destroyed. The message to the Jewish people is country, and are therefore commonly used as metaphors to pay attention to the warning signs of impending in the Bible. A lion roars when he is about to attack his destruction, and do what is necessary to prevent it. prey. An astute animal who hears a roar understands Those who choose to ignore these signs will suffer the A lion at the that the lion is about to attack, and rushes to escape. An consequences. Ramat Gan safari

58 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ד Chapter 4

יא ָל ֵכן ּכֹה ָא ַמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ַצר ּו ְס ִביב Assuredly, Thus said my God: An enemy, all about 11 ָה ָאֶרץ ְו ִהוֹרד ִמ ֵּמ ְך ֻעֵ ּז ְך ְו ָנ ּבֹז ּו the land! He shall strip you of your splendor, And ַא ְר ְמנוֹ ָת ִי ְך׃ .your fortresses shall be plundered יב ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ִּציל ָה ֶרֹעה ִמ ִּפי Thus saidHashem : As a shepherd rescues from the 12 ָה ֲאִרי שׁ ְ ֵּתי ְכָר ַעִים אוֹ ְב ַד ֶל־אֹזן ֵּכן lion’s jaws Two shank bones or the tip of an ear, So ִי ָנּ ְצ ּלו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ּיֹשׁ ְ ִבים ְּבשׁ ְֹמרוֹן —shall the Israelites escape Who dwell in Shomron ִּב ְפ ַאת ִמ ָּטה ּו ִב ְד ֶמשׁ ֶ ק ָעֶרשׂ׃ .With the leg of a bed or the head of a couch יג שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ְו ָה ִע ּידו ְּב ֵבית ַי ֲעקֹב ְנ ֻא ֲם־א ָדֹני Hear [this], and warn the House of Yaakov —says 13 ְי ִהוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ַה ְּצ ָבאוֹת׃ —my Lord Hashem, the God of Hosts יד ִּכי ְּביוֹם ָּפ ְק ִדי ִפשׁ ְ ֵע ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָע ָליו That when I punishYisrael for its transgressions, I 14 ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ַע ִל־מְז ְּבחוֹת ֵּב ֵית־אל ְו ִנ ְג ְ ּד ּעו will wreak judgment on the altar of Beit El, And the ַקְרנוֹת ַה ִּמְז ֵּב ַח ְו ָנ ְפ ּלו ָל ָאֶרץ׃ horns of the altar shall be cut off And shall fall to the ground. טו ְו ִה ֵּכ ִיתי ֵב ַית־ה ֶחֹרף ַע ֵּל־בית ַה ָּקִיץ I will wreck the winter palace Together with 15 ְו ָא ְב ּדו ָּב ֵּתי ַהשֵּׁ ן ְו ָס ּפו ָּב ִּתים ַר ִּבים Twelve Prophets the summer palace; The ivory palaces shall ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ be demolished, And the great houses shall be destroyed —declares Hashem. א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ַה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ָּפרוֹת ַה ָּבשׁ ָ ן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Hear this word, you cows of Bashan On the hill of 1 4 ד ְּב ַהר שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ָהעֹשׁ ְ קוֹת ַ ּד ִּלים ָה ְרֹצצוֹת Shomron— Who defraud the poor, Who rob the ֶא ְב ִיוֹנים ָה ְאֹמרֹת ַל ֲא ֵדֹנ ֶיהם ָה ִב ָיאה needy; Who say to your husbands, “Bring, and ְ ו ִ נ שׁ ְ ֶ ּ ת ה ׃ ”!let’s carouse shim-U ha-da-VAR ha-ZEH pa-ROT ha-ba-SHAN a-SHER b’-HAR sho-m’-RON ha-o-sh’-KOT da-LEEM ha-ro-tz’-TZOT ev-yo-NEEM ha-o-m’-ROT la-a-do-nay- HEM ha-VEE-ah v’-nish-TEH ב ִנשׁ ְ ַּבע ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְּב ָק ְדשׁ וֹ ִּכי ִה ֵנּה ָי ִמים My Hashem swears by His holiness: Behold, days 2 ָּב ִאים ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ְו ִנ ָּשׂא ֶא ְת ֶכם ְּב ִצנּוֹת are coming upon you When you will be carried off ְו ַא ֲחִר ְית ֶכן ְּב ִסירוֹת ּד ּו ָגה׃ ,in baskets, And, to the last one, in fish baskets ג ּו ְפָר ִצים ֵּת ֶצ ָאנה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶנ ְג ָ ּד ּה And taken out [of the city]— Each one through a 3 ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַל ְכ ֶּת ָנה ַה ַהְר ָמוֹנה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ breach straight ahead— And flung on the refuse heap —declares Hashem. ד ּב ֹּאו ֵב ֵית־אל ּו ִפשׁ ְ ּעו ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ַהְר ּב ּו Come to Beit El and transgress; To Gilgal, and 4 ִל ְפשׁ ַֹע ְו ָה ִב ּיאו ַל ּב ֶֹקר ִז ְב ֵח ֶיכם ִלשׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת transgress even more: Present your sacrifices the ָי ִמים ַמ ְע ְשׂ ֵרֹת ֶיכם׃ ;next morning And your tithes on the third day ה ְו ַק ֵּטר ֵמ ָח ֵמץ ּת ָוֹדה ְו ִקְר ּאו ְנ ָדבוֹת And burn a thank offering of leavened bread; And 5 ַהשׁ ְ ִמ ּיעו ִּכי ֵכן ֲא ַה ְב ֶּתם ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל proclaim freewill offerings loudly. For you love that ְנ ֻאם ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה׃ .sort of thing, O Israelites —declares my God

4:1 You cows of Bashan Sparing no one in his denun- consume grains and ask the masters for more to drink. ciations, Amos speaks against the women of Shomron. The plains of Bashan are located east of the Sea of Their selfish lifestyle and constant consumption forces , on the banks of the Yarmuk river in Trans-Jor- their husbands to continually extort money from the dan. They were considered among the richest lands poor to satisfy their extravagant tastes. He compares in biblical times (Deuteronomy 32:14, Ezekiel 39:18, these women to the cattle of Bashan, who constantly Psalms 22:13).

59 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ה Chapter 5

ו ְו ַג ֲם־א ִני ָנ ַת ִּתי ָל ֶכם ִנ ְקיוֹן שׁ ִ ַנּ ִים ְּב ָכל־ I, on My part, have given you Cleanness of teeth 6 ָעֵר ֶיכם ְו ֶחֹסר ֶל ֶחם ְּבכֹל ְמ ֵקוֹמֹת ֶיכם in all your towns, And lack of food in all your ְולֹא־שׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ָע ַדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ — settlements. Yet you did not turn back to Me declares Hashem. ז ְו ַגם ָא ִנֹכי ָמ ַנ ְע ִּתי ִמ ֶּכם ֶא ַת־ה ֶּגשׁ ֶ ם ְּבעוֹד I therefore withheld the rain from you Three 7 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים ַל ָּק ִציר ְו ִה ְמ ַטְר ִּתי ַעל־ months before harvesttime: I would make it rain ִעיר ֶא ָחת ְו ַע ִל־עיר ַא ַחת לֹא ַא ְמ ִטיר on one town And not on another; One field would ֶח ְל ָקה ַא ַחת ִּת ָּמ ֵטר ְו ֶח ְל ָקה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־לֹא־ be rained upon While another on which it did not ַת ְמ ִטיר ָע ֶל ָיה ִּת ָיבשׁ ׃ .rain Would wither ח ְו ָנ ּעו שׁ ְ ַּתִים שׁ ָ לֹשׁ ָעִרים ֶא ִל־עיר ַא ַחת So two or three towns would wander To a single 8 ִלשׁ ְ ּתוֹת ַמִים ְולֹא ִי ְשׂ ָּב ּעו ְולֹא־שׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם town to drink water, But their thirst would not be ָע ַדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ slaked. Yet you did not turn back to Me —declares Hashem. ט ִה ֵּכ ִיתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ַּבשִּׁ ָ ּדפוֹן ּו ַבֵּיָרקוֹן ַהְר ּבוֹת I scourged you with blight and mildew; Repeatedly 9 ּ your gardens and vineyards, Your fig trees and olive Twelve Prophets ַג ֵנּוֹת ֶיכם ְו ַכְר ֵמ ֶיכם ּו ְת ֵא ֵנ ֶיכם ְוֵז ֵית ֶיכם ַיֹאכל ַה ָּגָזם ְולֹא־שׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ָע ַדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ trees Were devoured by locusts. Yet you did not turn back to Me —declares Hashem. י שׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ָב ֶכם ֶ ּד ֶבר ְּב ֶדֶר ְך ִמ ְצַרִים ָהַר ְג ִּתי I sent against you pestilence In the manner of 10 ַב ֶחֶרב ַּב ּחוֵר ֶיכם ִעם שׁ ְ ִבי ּסו ֵס ֶיכם ,Egypt; I slew your young men with the sword ָו ַא ֲע ֶלה ְּבאֹשׁ ַמ ֲח ֵנ ֶיכם ּו ְב ַא ְּפ ֶכם ְולֹא־ Together with your captured horses, And I made שׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ָע ַדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .the stench of your armies Rise in your very nostrils Yet you did not turn back to Me —declares Hashem. יא ָה ַפ ְכ ִּתי ָב ֶכם ְּכ ַמ ְה ֵּפ ַכת ֱא ִלֹהים ֶאת־ I have wrought destruction among you As when 11 ְסדֹם ְו ֶא ֲת־ע ָמֹרה ַו ִּת ְה ּיו ְּכ ּאוד ֻמ ָּצל Hashem destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; You have ִמ ְשׂ ֵר ָפה ְולֹא־שׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ָע ַדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ become like a brand plucked from burning. Yet you have not turned back to Me —declares Hashem. יב ָל ֵכן ּכֹה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ְּה־ל ָך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵע ֶקב ִּכי־ Assuredly, Because I am doing that to you, Even so 12 זֹאת ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ָּה־ל ְך ִה ּכוֹן ִל ְקַר ֱאת־א ֶלֹה ָיך will I act toward you, O Yisrael— Prepare to meet ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ !your God, O Yisrael יג ִּכי ִה ֵנּה ֵיוֹצר ָהִרים ּו ֵבֹרא ּרו ַח ּו ַמ ִּגיד Behold, He who formed the mountains, And 13 ְל ָא ָדם ַמ ֵּה־שׂחוֹ ֵעֹשׂה שׁ ַ ַחר ֵע ָיפה ְו ֵדֹר ְך created the wind, And has told man what His wish ַע ָּל־ב ֳמ ֵתי ָאֶרץ ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ְי־צ ָבאוֹת is, Who turns blackness into daybreak, And treads שׁ ְ מ ֹ ו ׃ upon the high places of the earth— His name is Hashem, the God of Hosts. א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי ֵנֹשׂא ,Hear this word which I intone As a dirge over you 1 5 ה ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ִק ָינה ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ :O House of Yisrael ב ָנ ְפ ָלה ִלֹא־תוֹסיף ּקום ְּב ּתו ַלת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ;Fallen, not to rise again, Is Maiden Yisrael 2 ִנ ְּטשׁ ָ ה ַע ַל־א ְד ָמ ָת ּה ֵאין ְמ ִק ָימ ּה׃ .Abandoned on her soil With none to lift her up ג ִּכי כֹה ָא ַמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ָה ִעיר ַה ּי ֵֹצאת :For thus said my God About the House of Yisrael 3 ֶא ֶלף ַּתשׁ ְ ִאיר ֵמ ָאה ְו ַה ּי ֵוֹצאת ֵמ ָאה The town that marches out a thousand strong Shall ַּתשׁ ְ ִאיר ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ְל ֵבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ have a hundred left, And the one that marches out a hundred strong Shall have but ten left.

60 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ה Chapter 5

ד ִּכי כֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֵבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִ ּדְרשׁ ּו ִני Thus saidHashem To the House of Yisrael: Seek 4 ִו ְח ּיו׃ .Me, and you will live ה ְו ַא ִּל־ת ְדְרשׁ ּו ֵּב ֵית־אל ְו ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל לֹא ָת ּבֹאו Do not seek Beit El, Nor go to Gilgal, Nor cross 5 ּו ְב ֵאר שׁ ֶ ַבע לֹא ַת ֲע ּבֹרו ִּכי ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ָּגלֹה ,over to Be’erSheva; For Gilgal shall go into exile ִי ְג ֶלה ּו ֵב ֵית־אל ִי ְהֶיה ְל ָאֶון׃ .And Beit El shall become a delusion ו ִ ּדְרשׁ ּו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ִו ְח ּיו ֶּפ ִן־י ְצ ַלח ָּכ ֵאשׁ Seek Hashem, and you will live, Else He will rush 6 ֵּבית ֵיוֹסף ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ְו ֵא ְין־מ ַכ ֶּבה ְל ֵב ֵית־אל׃ like fire upon the House ofYosef And consume Beit El with none to quench it. ז ַה ְהֹפ ִכים ְל ַל ֲע ָנה ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּו ְצ ָד ָקה ָל ָאֶרץ Ah,] you who turn justice into wormwood And] 7 ִה ִנּ ּיחו׃ [,hurl righteousness to the ground! [Seek Hashem ח ֵעֹשׂה ִכ ָימה ּו ְכ ִסיל ְו ֵהֹפ ְך ַל ּב ֶֹקר ַצ ְל ָמֶות Who made the Pleiades and Orion, Who turns 8 ְויוֹם ַלְי ָלה ֶה ְחשׁ ִ ְיך ַה ּק ֵוֹרא ְל ֵמ ַי־הָּים deep darkness into dawn And darkens day into ַוִּישׁ ְ ְּפ ֵכם ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ָה ָאֶרץ ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ְ מוֹ׃ night, Who summons the waters of the sea And pours them out upon the earth— His name is Twelve Prophets Hashem! ט ַה ַּמ ְב ִליג שׁ ֹד ַע ָל־עז ְושׁ ֹד ַע ִל־מ ְב ָצר ,It is He who hurls destruction upon strongholds 9 ָיבוֹא׃ !So that ruin comes upon fortresses י ָשׂ ְנ ּאו ַבשַּׁ ַער ִמוֹכ ַיח ְו ֵדֹבר ָּת ִמים They hate the arbiter in the gate, And detest him 10 ְי ָת ֵע ּבו׃ .whose plea is just יא ָל ֵכן ַי ַען ּבוֹשׁ ַ ְס ֶכם ַע ָ ּל־דל ּו ַמ ְשׂ ַא ַּת־בר Assuredly, Because you impose a tax on the poor 11 ִּת ְק ּחו ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ָּב ֵּתי ָגִזית ְּב ִנ ֶיתם ְולֹא־ And exact from him a levy of grain, You have built ֵתשׁ ְ ּבו ָבם ַּכְר ֵמ ֶי־ח ֶמד ְנ ַט ְע ֶּתם ְולֹא houses of hewn stone, But you shall not live in ִתשׁ ְ ּת ּו ֶא ֵת־י ָינם׃ them; You have planted delightful vineyards, But shall not drink their wine. יב ִּכי ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ַר ִּבים ִּפשׁ ְ ֵע ֶיכם ַו ֲע ֻצ ִמים For I have noted how many are your crimes, And 12 ַח ּט ֵֹאת ֶיכם ְצֹרֵרי ַצ ִ ּדיק ְלֹק ֵחי ֶכֹפר how countless your sins— You enemies of the ְו ֶא ְב ִיוֹנים ַּבשַּׁ ַער ִה ּט ּו׃ righteous, You takers of bribes, You who subvert in the gate The cause of the needy! יג ָל ֵכן ַה ַּמ ְשׂ ִּכיל ָּב ֵעת ַה ִהיא ִי ּדֹם ִּכי ֵעת Assuredly, At such a time the prudent man keeps 13 ָר ָעה ִהיא׃ .silent, For it is an evil time יד ִ ּדְרשׁ ּו־טוֹב ְו ַא ָל־רע ְל ַמ ַען ִּת ְח ּיו ִו ִיהי־ Seek good and not evil, That you may live, And that 14 ֵכן ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ְי־צ ָבאוֹת ִא ְּת ֶכם ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ,Hashem, the God of Hosts, May truly be with you ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם׃ .As you think טו ִשׂ ְנ ּאו ָ־רע ְו ֶא ֱה ּבו טוֹב ְו ַה ִּצ ּיגו ַבשַּׁ ַער Hate evil and love good, And establish justice in 15 ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּאו ַלי ֶי ֱח ַנן ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ְי־צ ָבאוֹת the gate; Perhaps Hashem, the God of Hosts, Will שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ֵיוֹסף׃ .be gracious to the remnant of Yosef טז ָל ֵכן ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ְצ ָבאוֹת ֲא ָדֹני Assuredly, Thus saidHashem , My Lord, the God 16 ְּב ָכ ְל־רחֹבוֹת ִמ ְס ֵּפד ּו ְב ָכ ּל־חוצוֹת ְיֹאמ ּרו ,of Hosts: In every square there shall be lamenting הוֹ־הוֹ ְו ָקְר ּאו ִא ָּכר ֶא ֵל־א ֶבל ּו ִמ ְס ֵּפד In every street cries of “Ah, woe!” And the farm ֶא ְל־יוֹד ֵעי ֶנ ִהי׃ hand shall be Called to mourn, And those skilled in wailing To lament;

61 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ו Chapter 6

יז ּו ְב ָכ ְּל־כָר ִמים ִמ ְס ֵּפד ִּכ ֶי־א ֱעבֹר ְּב ִקְר ְּב ָך ,For there shall be lamenting In every vineyard, too 17 ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה׃ .When I pass through your midst —said Hashem יח הוֹי ַה ִּמ ְת ַאִּוים ֶאת־יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ָל ָּמ ֶ ּה־זה Ah, you who wish For the day of Hashem! Why 18 ָל ֶכם יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ּהוא־חֹשׁ ֶ ְך ְולֹא־אוֹר׃ should you want The day ofHashem ? It shall be darkness, not light!— יט ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ּנוס ִאישׁ ִמ ְּפ ֵני ָה ֲאִרי ּו ְפ ָגעוֹ As if a man should run from a lion And be attacked 19 ַה ּדֹב ּו ָבא ַה ַּבִית ְו ָס ַמ ְך ָידוֹ ַע ַל־ה ִּקיר by a bear; Or if he got indoors, Should lean his ּ ו ְ נ שׁ ָ כ ֹ ו ַה ָּ נ ָ ח שׁ ׃ !hand on the wall And be bitten by a snake כ ֲהלֹא־חֹשׁ ֶ ְך יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא־אוֹר ְו ָא ֵפל Surely the day of Hashem shall be Not light, but 20 ְו ַלֹא־נֹג ּה לוֹ׃ .darkness, Blackest night without a glimmer כא ָשׂ ֵנ ִאתי ָמ ַא ְס ִּתי ַח ֵּג ֶיכם ְולֹא ָאִר ַיח I loathe, I spurn your festivals, I am not appeased 21 ְּב ַע ְּצ ֵרֹת ֶיכם׃ .by your solemn assemblies כב ִּכי ִא ַּם־ת ֲע ּלו ִ־לי עֹלוֹת ּו ִמ ְנ ֵחֹת ֶיכם לֹא If you offer Me burnt offerings—or your meal 22

Twelve Prophets ֶאְר ֶצה ְושׁ ֶ ֶלם ְמִר ֵיא ֶיכם לֹא ַא ִּביט׃ offerings— I will not accept them; I will pay no heed To your gifts of fatlings. כג ָה ֵסר ֵמ ָע ַלי ֲהמוֹן שׁ ִ ֶר ָיך ְוִז ְמַרת ְנ ָב ֶל ָיך Spare Me the sound of your hymns, And let Me not 23 לֹא ֶאשׁ ְ ָמע׃ .hear the music of your lutes כד ְוִי ַּגל ַּכ ַּמִים ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּו ְצ ָד ָקה ְּכ ַנ ַחל ֵא ָיתן׃ But let justice well up like water, Righteousness 24 like an unfailing stream. v’-yi-GAL ka-MA-yim mish-PAT utz-da-KAH k’-NA-khal ay-TAN כה ַהְ ּז ָב ִחים ּו ִמ ְנ ָחה ִה ַּגשׁ ְ ֶּת ִם־לי ַב ִּמ ְד ָּבר Did you offer sacrifice and oblation to Me Those 25 ַאְר ָּב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ?forty years in the wilderness, O House of Yisrael כו ּו ְנ ָשׂ ֶאתם ֵאת ִס ּכ ּות ַמ ְל ְּכ ֶכם ְו ֵאת ִּכ ּי ּון And you shall carry off your “king”— Sikkuth and 26 ַצ ְל ֵמ ֶיכם ּכ ַוֹכב ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם Kiyyun, The images you have made for yourselves ָל ֶכם׃ —Of your astral deity כז ְו ִה ְג ֵל ִיתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ֵמ ָה ְל ָאה ְל ַד ָּמ ֶשׂק ָא ַמר As I drive you into exile beyond Damascus —Said 27 ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ְי־צ ָבאוֹת שׁ ְ מוֹ׃ .Hashem, whose name is God of Hosts א הוֹי ַהשַּׁ ֲא ַנ ִנּים ְּב ִצ ּיוֹן ְו ַה ּב ְֹט ִחים ְּב ַהר Ah, you who are at ease in Tzion And confident 1 6 ו שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ְנ ֻק ֵבי ֵראשׁ ִ ית ַה ּג ִוֹים ּו ָב ּאו ָל ֶהם on the hill of Shomron, You notables of the leading ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ nation On whom the House of Yisrael pin their hopes: HOY ha-sha-a-na-NEEM b’-tzi-YON v’-ha-bo-t’-KHEEM b’-HAR sho-m’-RON n’-ku-VAY ray-SHEET ha-go-YIM u-VA-u la-HEM BAYT yis-ra-AYL

5:24 Righteousness like an unfailing stream Having flowing rivers and there are even flash floods. So too, the rejected rote ritual worship that is not accompanied desire for justice and righteousness should build up in by moral behavior (verse 22), Amos makes a simple the people until it overflows “like an unfailing stream”. statement: He declares that Hashem desires justice and righteousness. Though the Land of Israel has only one 6:1 And confident on the hill of Shomron While rainy season, when the rainfall builds up and finally the poor suffer under heavy taxation and overflows, the creeks and brooks are filled from the swiftly injustice, the rich remain blissfully unaware of the Flash flood water in the Judean desert

62 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ו Chapter 6

ב ִע ְב ּרו ַכ ְל ֵנה ּוְר ּאו ּו ְל ּכו ִמשָּׁ ם ֲח ַמת Cross over to Calneh and see, Go from there 2 ַר ָּבה ּוְר ּדו ַג ְּת־פ ִלשׁ ְ ּתים ֲה ִטוֹבים to Great Hamath, And go down to Gath of the ִמ ַן־ה ַּמ ְמ ָלכוֹת ָה ֵא ֶּלה ִא ַם־רב ְּג ּבו ָלם ,Philistines: Are [you] better than those kingdoms ִמ ְּג ֻב ְל ֶכם׃ ?Or is their territory larger than yours ג ַה ְמ ַנ ִ ּדים ְליוֹם ָרע ַו ַּת ִּגישׁ ּון שׁ ֶ ֶבת ָח ָמס׃ Yet you ward off [the thought of] a day of woe And 3 convene a session of lawlessness. ד ַהשּׁ ְֹכ ִבים ַע ִל־מ ּטוֹת שׁ ֵ ן ּו ְסֻר ִחים ַעל־ ,They lie on ivory beds, Lolling on their couches 4 ַעְר ָשׂוֹתם ְו ְאֹכ ִלים ָּכִרים ִמ ּצֹאן ַו ֲע ָג ִלים Feasting on lambs from the flock And on calves ִמ ּת ְוֹך ַמְר ֵּבק׃ .from the stalls ה ַה ּפְֹר ִטים ַע ִּל־פי ַה ָנּ ֶבל ְּכ ָדִויד ָחשׁ ְ ּבו They hum snatches of song To the tune of the 5 ָל ֶהם ְּכ ֵלי־שׁ ִ יר׃ lute— They account themselves musicians like David. ו ַהשּׁ ִֹתים ְּב ִמְזְר ֵקי ַיִין ְוֵראשׁ ִ ית שׁ ְ ָמ ִנים They drink [straight] from the wine bowls And 6 ִי ְמשׁ ָ ּחו ְולֹא ֶנ ְח ּלו ַעל־שׁ ֵ ֶבר ֵיוֹסף anoint themselves with the choicest oils— But

Twelve Prophets they are not concerned about the ruin of Yosef. ז ָל ֵכן ַע ָּתה ִי ְג ּלו ְּברֹאשׁ ּג ִֹלים ְו ָסר ִמְרַזח Assuredly, right soon They shall head the column 7 ְס ּרו ִחים׃ .of exiles; They shall loll no more at festive meals ח ִנשׁ ְ ַּבע ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְּב ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה My Hashem swears by Himself: I loathe the Pride 8 ֱא ֵלֹהי ְצ ָבאוֹת ְמ ָת ֵאב ָא ִנֹכי ֶא ְּת־גאוֹן of Yaakov, And I detest his fortresses. I will declare ַי ֲעקֹב ְו ַאְר ְמ ָנֹתיו ָשׂ ֵנ ִאתי ְו ִה ְס ַּגְר ִּתי ִעיר forfeit city and inhabitants alike —declares ּו ְמ ָלֹא ּה׃ .Hashem, the God of Hosts ט ְו ָהָיה ִא ִם־יָּו ְת ּרו ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ְּב ַבִית .If ten people are left in one house, they shall die 9 ֶא ָחד ָו ֵמ ּתו׃ י ּו ְנ ָשׂאוֹ ּדוֹדוֹ ּו ְמ ָסְרפוֹ ְל ִהוֹציא ֲע ָצ ִמים And if someone’s kinsman—who is to burn 10 ִמ ַן־ה ַּבִית ְו ָא ַמר ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבַיְר ְּכ ֵתי ַה ַּבִית incense for him—comes to carry the remains out ַהעוֹד ִע ָּמ ְך ְו ָא ַמר ָא ֶפס ְו ָא ַמר ָהס ִּכי of a house, and he calls to the one at the rear of the לֹא ְל ַהְז ִּכיר ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה׃ house, “Are there any alive besides you?” he will answer, “No, none.” And he will say, “Hush!”—so that no one may utter the name ofHashem . יא ִּכ ִי־ה ֵנּה ְי ָהֹוה ְמ ַצֶּוה ְו ִה ָּכה ַה ַּבִית ַה ָּגדוֹל For Hashem will command, And the great house 11 ְר ִס ִיסים ְו ַה ַּבִית ַה ָּקטֹן ְּב ִק ִעים׃ shall be smashed to bits, And the little house to splinters. יב ַהְיֻר ּצון ַּב ֶּס ַלע ּסו ִסים ִא ַם־י ֲחרוֹשׁ Can horses gallop on a rock? Can it be plowed with 12 ַּב ְּב ָקִרים ִּכ ֲי־ה ַפ ְכ ֶּתם ְלרֹאשׁ ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט oxen? Yet you have turned justice into poison weed ּו ְפִרי ְצ ָד ָקה ְל ַל ֲע ָנה׃ .And the fruit of righteousness to wormwood

conditions outside their palaces and the impending security. Amos uses this geographical fact to mock the doom that awaits them. Shomron was situated in the leadership’s lack of awareness of the events transpiring central hills of the country, surrounded by an array of on the other side of these mountains. mountains, which gave its inhabitants a feeling of The hills of Shomron

63 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ז Chapter 7

יג ַה ְּשׂ ֵמ ִחים ְללֹא ָד ָבר ָה ְאֹמִרים ֲהלוֹא ,Ah,] those who are so happy about Lo-dabar] 13 ְב ָחְז ֵק ּנו ָל ַק ְח ּנו ָל ּנו ַקְר ָנִים׃ Who exult, “By our might We have captured Karnaim”! יד ִּכי ִה ְנ ִני ֵמ ִקים ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל But I, O House of Yisrael, Will raise up a nation 14 ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ַה ְּצ ָבאוֹת ּגוֹי ְו ָל ֲח ּצו against you —declares Hashem, the God of ֶא ְת ֶכם ִמ ְּלבוֹא ֲח ָמת ַע ַד־נ ַחל ָה ֲעָר ָבה׃ Hosts— Who will harass you from Lebo-Hamath To the Wadi Arabah. 1 א ּכֹה ִהְר ַא ִני ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵיוֹצר ּג ַֹבי This is what my God showed me: He was creating 1 7 ז ִּב ְת ִח ַּלת ֲעלוֹת ַה ָּל ֶקשׁ ְו ִה ֵנּ ֶה־ל ֶקשׁ ַא ַחר -a plague of] locusts at the time when the late] ִּגֵ ּזי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ -sown crops were beginning to sprout—the late sown crops after the king’s reaping. ב ְו ָהָיה ִא ִּם־כ ָּלה ֶל ֱאכוֹל ֶא ֵת־ע ֶשׂב ָה ָאֶרץ When it had finished devouring the herbage in 2 ָו ַאֹמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְס ַל ָח־נא ִמי ָי ּקום the land, I said, “O Hashem, pray forgive. How will ַי ֲעקֹב ִּכי ָקטֹן ּהוא׃ ”.Yaakov survive? He is so small

Twelve Prophets ג ִנ ַחם ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־זֹאת לֹא ִת ְהֶיה ָא ַמר Hashem relented concerning this. “It shall not 3 ְי ָהֹוה׃ .come to pass,” said Hashem ד ּכֹה ִהְר ַא ִני ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵקֹרא ָלִרב This is whatHashem showed me: Lo, my God was 4 ָּב ֵאשׁ ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ַו ּת ַֹאכל ֶא ְּת־תהוֹם summoning to contend by fire which consumed ַר ָּבה ְו ָא ְכ ָלה ֶא ַת־ה ֵח ֶלק׃ .the Great Deep and was consuming the fields ה ָו ַאֹמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ֲח ַד ָל־נא ִמי ָי ּקום I said, “Oh, Hashem, refrain! How will Yaakov 5 ַי ֲעקֹב ִּכי ָקטֹן ּהוא׃ ”.survive? He is so small ו ִנ ַחם ְי ָהֹוה ַעל־זֹאת ַּג ִם־היא לֹא ִת ְהֶיה Hashem relented concerning this. “That shall not 6 ָא ַמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה׃ .come to pass, either,” said my God ז ּכֹה ִהְר ַא ִני ְו ִה ֵנּה ֲא ָדֹני ִנ ָּצב ַע ַל־חוֹמת This is what He showed me: He was standing on a 7 ֲא ָנ ְך ּו ְבָידוֹ ֲא ָנ ְך׃ wall checked with a plumb line and He was holding a plumb line. ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ָמ ַה־א ָּתה ֶרֹאה ָעמוֹס ”?And Hashem asked me, “What do you see, Amos 8 ָו ַאֹמר ֲא ָנ ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ָדֹני ִה ְנ ִני ָשׂם ֲא ָנ ְך ,A plumb line,” I replied. And my Lord declared“ ְּב ֶקֶרב ַע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִלֹא־אוֹסיף עוֹד I am going to apply a plumb line to My people“ ֲעבוֹר לוֹ׃ .Yisrael; I will pardon them no more va-YO-mer a-do-NAI ay-LAI mah a-TAH ro-EH a-MOS va-o-MAR a-NAKH va-YO-mer a-do-NAI hi-n’-NEE SAM a-NAKH b’-KE-rev a-MEE yis-ra-AYL lo o-SEEF OD a-VOR LO

7:8 I am going to apply a plumb line to My people Yisrael collapse under its own weight as it is being built, or Amos is shown a vision of a plumb line, a construction afterwards. Here, the plumb line is a symbol of God’s tool used to measure the vertical straightness of a examination of the people’s moral uprightness. Their wall by means of a string with a piece of lead tied pretensions of integrity are symbolized by a wall being to it. This is important, because if the wall is leaning built higher and higher. When He checks it, he finds the or uneven, it will be unstable and may eventually measurements lacking.

64 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ח Chapter 8

ט ְו ָנשׁ ַ ּמ ּו ָּבמוֹת ִי ְשׂ ָחק ּו ִמ ְק ְ ּדשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל The shrines ofYitzchak shall be laid waste, and the 9 ֶי ֱחָר ּבו ְו ַק ְמ ִּתי ַע ֵּל־בית ָיָר ְב ָעם ֶּב ָחֶרב׃ sanctuaries of Yisrael reduced to ruins; and I will turn upon the House of Yerovam with the sword.” י ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֲא ַמ ְצָיה ּכ ֵֹהן ֵּב ֵית־אל ֶא ָל־יָר ְב ָעם Amatzya, the Kohen of Beit El, sent this message to 10 ֶמ ֶל ְך ִ־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵלאמֹר ָקשׁ ַ ר ָע ֶל ָיך ָעמוֹס King Yerovam of Yisrael: “Amos is conspiring against ְּב ֶקֶרב ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּלֹא־תו ַכל ָה ָאֶרץ you within the House of Yisrael. The country ְל ָה ִכיל ֶא ָּת־כ ְ ּל־ד ָבָריו׃ .cannot endure the things he is saying יא ִּכי־כֹה ָא ַמר ָעמוֹס ַּב ֶחֶרב ָי ּמות ָיָר ְב ָעם ,For Amos has said, ‘Yerovam shall die by the sword 11 ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּגלֹה ִי ְג ֶלה ֵמ ַעל ַא ְד ָמתוֹ׃ ”’.and Yisrael shall be exiled from its soil יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ַמ ְצָיה ֶא ָל־עמוֹס ֶחֹזה ֵל ְך ְּבַרח־ Amatzya also said to Amos, “Seer, off with you to 12 ְל ָך ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ְי ּהו ָדה ֶו ֱא ָכל־שׁ ָ ם ֶל ֶחם the land of Yehuda! Earn your living there, and do ְושׁ ָ ם ִּת ָנּ ֵבא׃ .your prophesying there יג ּו ֵב ֵית־אל ִלֹא־תוֹסיף עוֹד ְל ִה ָנּ ֵבא ִּכי But don’t ever prophesy again at Beit El; for it is a 13 ִמ ְק ַ ּדשׁ ֶ־מ ֶל ְך ּהוא ּו ֵבית ַמ ְמ ָל ָכה ּהוא׃ ”.king’s sanctuary and a royal palace Twelve Prophets יד ַוַּי ַען ָעמוֹס ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ֲל־א ַמ ְצָיה ָלֹא־נ ִביא Amos answered Amatzya: “I am not a Navi, and I 14 ָא ִנֹכי ְולֹא ֶב ָן־נ ִביא ָא ִנֹכי ִּכ ֵי־בוֹקר ָא ִנֹכי am not a Navi’s disciple. I am a cattle breeder and a ּו ֵבוֹלס שׁ ִ ְק ִמים׃ .tender of sycamore figs טו ַוִּי ָּק ֵח ִני ְי ָהֹוה ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ּצֹאן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי But Hashem took me away from following the 15 ְי ָהֹוה ֵל ְך ִה ָנּ ֵבא ֶא ַל־ע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ flock, andHashem said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Yisrael.’ טז ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ְ ַמע ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ַא ָּתה ֵאֹמר לֹא And so, hear the word of Hashem. You say I must 16 ִת ָנּ ֵבא ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְולֹא ַת ִּטיף ַע ֵּל־בית not prophesy about the House of Yisrael or preach ִי ְשׂ ָחק׃ ;about the House of Yitzchak יז ָל ֵכן ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ִאשׁ ְ ְּת ָך ָּב ִעיר ִּתְז ֶנה but this, I swear, is what Hashem said: Your wife 17 ּו ָב ֶנ ָיך ּו ְב ֶנֹת ָיך ַּב ֶחֶרב ִי ּפ ֹּלו ְו ַא ְד ָמ ְת ָך shall play the harlot in the town, your sons and ַּב ֶח ֶבל ְּת ֻח ָּלק ְו ַא ָּתה ַע ֲל־א ָד ָמה ְט ֵמ ָאה daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land ָּת ּמות ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּגלֹה ִי ְג ֶלה ֵמ ַעל ַא ְד ָמתוֹ׃ shall be divided up with a measuring line. And you yourself shall die on unclean soil; for Yisrael shall be exiled from its soil.” א ּכֹה ִהְר ַא ִני ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ְו ִה ֵנּה ְּכ ּלוב ָקִיץ׃ This is what my God showed me: There was a 1 8 ח .basket of figs KOH hir-A-nee a-do-NAI e-lo-HEEM v’-hi-NAY k’-LUV KA-yitz

8:1 A basket of figs Amos is shown a vision of a has come for My people Yisrael; I will not pardon them ’again” (verse 2), is a play on words. In Hebrew, ‘summer ,(כלוב קיץ) basket of figs, in Hebrew ak’luv ka-yitz ’while ‘end’, or ‘hour of doom ,(קיץ) which literally means ‘a basket of summer fruit.’ The fruits is pronounced ka-yitz The .(קץ) were harvested during the transition from summer to the as it is translated here, is pronounced kaytz rainy season, and brought to the Beit Hamikdash during Malbim explains that the prophet is warning that just as Malbim the holiday in the seventh month of the year. the summer marks the end of the fruit harvest, so too the (1809-1879) Hashem’s explanation of the vision: “The hour of doom end of the kingdom of Israel is approaching.

65 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ח Chapter 8

ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָמ ַה־א ָּתה ֶרֹאה ָעמוֹס ָו ַאֹמר He said, “What do you see, Amos?” “A basket of 2 ְּכ ּלוב ָקִיץ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ָּבא ַה ֵּקץ figs,” I replied. AndHashem said to me: “The hour ֶא ַל־ע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִלֹא־אוֹסיף עוֹד ֲעבוֹר of doom has come for My people Yisrael; I will not לוֹ ׃ .pardon them again ג ְו ֵה ִיל ּילו שׁ ִ ירוֹת ֵה ָיכל ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻאם And the singing women of the palace shall howl on 3 ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ַרב ַה ֶּפ ֶגר ְּב ָכ ָל־מקוֹם ִהשׁ ְ ִל ְיך that day—declares my God: So many corpses Left ָהס׃ ”!lying everywhere! Hush ד שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו־זֹאת ַהשּׁ ֲֹא ִפים ֶא ְביוֹן ְו ַלשׁ ְ ִּבית ,Listen to this, you who devour the needy 4 ֲענוי־]ע ִנֵּיי־[ ָאֶרץ׃ ,annihilating the poor of the land ה ֵלאמֹר ָמ ַתי ַי ֲעבֹר ַה ֶחֹדשׁ ְו ַנשׁ ְ ִּב ָירה saying, “If only the new moon were over, so that we 5 שֶּׁ ֶבר ְו ַהשַּׁ ָּבת ְו ִנ ְפ ְּת ָח ָּה־בר ְל ַה ְק ִטין could sell grain; the Shabbat, so that we could offer ֵא ָיפה ּו ְל ַה ְג ִ ּדיל שׁ ֶ ֶקל ּו ְל ַעֵּות ְמֹאז ֵני wheat for sale, using an efah that is too small, and a ִמְר ָמה׃ ,shekel that is too big, tilting a dishonest scale ו לקנוֹת ּב ּכסף ד ּלים ואביוֹן ּבעבור and selling grain refuse as grain! We will buy the 6 Twelve Prophets ִ ְ ַ ֶ ֶ ַ ּ ִ ְ ֶ ְ ַ ֲ ּ ַנ ֲע ָלִים ּו ַמ ַּפל ַּבר ַנשׁ ְ ִּביר׃ ”.poor for silver, the needy for a pair of sandals ז ִנשׁ ְ ַּבע ְי ָהֹוה ִּב ְגאוֹן ַי ֲעקֹב ִא ֶם־אשׁ ְ ַּכח Hashem swears by the Pride of Yaakov: “I will never 7 ָל ֶנ ַצח ָּכ ַל־מ ֲע ֵשׂ ֶיהם׃ ”.forget any of their doings ח ַה ַעל זֹאת ִלֹא־תְר ַּגז ָה ָאֶרץ ְו ָא ַבל ָּכל־ Shall not the earth shake for this And all that dwell 8 יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ָּב ּה ְו ָע ְל ָתה ָכאֹר ֻּכ ָּל ּה ְו ִנ ְגְרשׁ ָ ה on it mourn? Shall it not all rise like the Nile And ונשקה ְ]ו ִנשׁ ְ ְק ָעה[ ִּכיאוֹר ִמ ְצָרִים׃ ?surge and subside like the Nile of Egypt ט ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻאם ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה And in that day —declares my God— I will make 9 ְו ֵה ֵב ִאתי ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ַּב ָּצ ֳהָרִים ְו ַה ֲחשׁ ַ ְכ ִּתי the sun set at noon, I will darken the earth on a ָל ָאֶרץ ְּביוֹם אוֹר׃ .sunny day י ְו ָה ַפ ְכ ִּתי ַח ֵּג ֶיכם ְל ֵא ֶבל ְו ָכל־שׁ ִ ֵיר ֶיכם I will turn your festivals into mourning And all 10 ְל ִק ָינה ְו ַה ֲע ֵל ִיתי ַע ָּל־כ ָל־מ ְת ַנִים ָשׂק your songs into dirges; I will put sackcloth on all ְו ַע ָּל־כל־רֹאשׁ ָקְר ָחה ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ָיה ְּכ ֵא ֶבל loins And tonsures on every head. I will make it ָי ִחיד ְו ַא ֲחִר ָית ּה ְּכיוֹם ָמר׃ mourn as for an only child, All of it as on a bitter day. יא ִה ֵנּה ָי ִמים ָּב ִאים ְנ ֻאם ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה A time is coming—declares my God—when I 11 ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַל ְח ִּתי ָר ָעב ָּב ָאֶרץ ָלֹא־ר ָעב ַל ֶּל ֶחם will send a famine upon the land: not a hunger ְו ָלֹא־צ ָמא ַל ַּמִים ִּכי ִא ִם־לשׁ ְ ַמֹע ֵאת for bread or a thirst for water, but for hearing the ִ ּד ְבֵרי ְי ָהֹוה׃ .words of Hashem יב ְו ָנ ּעו ִמָּים ַע ָד־ים ּו ִמ ָּצפוֹן ְו ַע ִד־מְזָרח Men shall wander from sea to sea and from north 12 ְישׁ ְוֹט ּטו ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְולֹא to east to seek the word of Hashem, but they shall ִי ְמ ָצ ּאו׃ .not find it יג ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִּת ְת ַע ַּל ְפ ָנה ַה ְּב ּתולֹת ַהָּיפוֹת In that day, the beautiful maidens and the young 13 ְו ַה ַּב ּחוִרים ַּב ָּצ ָמא׃ —men shall faint with thirst יד ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָּב ִעים ְּב ַאשׁ ְ ַמת שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ֵחי ,Those who swear by the guilt ofShomron , Saying 14 ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ָ ּדן ְו ֵחי ֶ ּדֶר ְך ְּב ֵאר־שׁ ָ ַבע ְו ָנ ְפ ּלו As your god lives, Dan,” And “As the way to“ ְו ָלֹא־י ּקו ּמו עוֹד׃ .Be’erSheva lives”— They shall fall to rise no more

66 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ט Chapter 9

א ָר ִא ִיתי ֶא ֲת־א ָדֹני ִנ ָּצב ַע ַל־ה ִּמְז ֵּב ַח I saw Hashem standing by the mizbayach, and He 1 9 ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ְך ַה ַּכ ְפ ּתוֹר ְוִיְר ֲעשׁ ּו ַה ִּס ִּפים said: Strike the capitals so that the thresholds ּו ְב ַצ ַעם ְּברֹאשׁ ֻּכ ָּלם ְו ַא ֲחִר ָיתם ַּב ֶחֶרב quake, and make an end of the first of them all. And ֶא ֱהרֹג ָלֹא־י ּנוס ָל ֶהם ָנס ְו ִלֹא־י ָּמ ֵלט I will slay the last of them with the sword; not one ָל ֶהם ָּפ ִליט׃ of them shall escape, and not one of them shall survive. ב ִא ַם־י ְח ְּת ּרו ִבשׁ ְ אוֹל ִמשָּׁ ם ָי ִדי ִת ָּק ֵחם If they burrow down to Sheol, From there My 2 ְו ִא ַם־י ֲע ּלו ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ִמשָּׁ ם ִאוֹר ֵידם׃ ,hand shall take them; And if they ascend to heaven From there I will bring them down. ג ְו ִא ֵם־י ָח ְב ּאו ְּברֹאשׁ ַה ַּכְר ֶמל ִמשָּׁ ם If they hide on the top of Carmel, There I will 3 ֲא ַח ֵּפשׂ ּו ְל ַק ְח ִּתים ְו ִא ִם־י ָּס ְת ּרו ִמ ֶנּ ֶגד search them out and seize them; And if they ֵע ַיני ְּב ַקְר ַקע ַהָּים ִמשָּׁ ם ֲא ַצֶּוה ֶאת־ conceal themselves from My sight At the bottom of ַ ה ָּ נ ָ ח שׁ ּו ְ נ שׁ ָ ָ כ ם ׃ the sea, There I will command The serpent to bite them. ד ְו ִא ֵם־י ְל ּכו ַבשְּׁ ִבי ִל ְפ ֵני ֵאֹיב ֶיהם ִמשָּׁ ם ,And if they go into captivity Before their enemies 4 ֲא ַצֶּוה ֶא ַת־ה ֶחֶרב ַו ֲהָר ָג ַתם ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּתי ֵע ִיני Twelve Prophets There I will command The sword to slay them. I ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְלָר ָעה ְולֹא ְל ָטוֹבה׃ .will fix My eye on them for evil And not for good ה ַו ָאדֹני ְי ִהוה ַה ְּצ ָבאוֹת ַה ֵנּוֹג ַע ָּב ָאֶרץ It is my Lord the God of Hosts At whose touch the 5 ַו ָּתמוֹג ְו ָא ְב ּלו ָּכל־יוֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָב ּה ְו ָע ְל ָתה earth trembles And all who dwell on it mourn, And ַכְיאֹר ֻּכ ָּל ּה ְושׁ ָ ְק ָעה ִּכיאֹר ִמ ְצָרִים all of it swells like the Nile And subsides like the Nile of Egypt; ו ַה ּב ֶוֹנה ַבשָּׁ ַמִים מעלותו ַ]מ ֲע ָלוֹתיו[ Who built His chambers in heaven And founded 6 ַו ֲא ֻג ָ ּדתוֹ ַע ֶל־אֶרץ ְי ָס ָד ּה ַה ּקֵֹרא ְל ֵמ ַי־הָּים His vault on the earth, Who summons the waters ַוִּישׁ ְ ְּפ ֵכם ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ָה ָאֶרץ ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ְ מוֹ׃ of the sea And pours them over the land— His name is Hashem. ז ֲהלוֹא ִכ ְב ֵני ֻכשׁ ִ ִּיים ַא ֶּתם ִלי ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל To Me, O Israelites, you are Just like the Ethiopians 7 ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ֲהלוֹא ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶה ֱע ֵל ִיתי declares Hashem. True, I brought Yisrael up— ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתִּיים ִמ ַּכ ְפ ּתוֹר From the land of Egypt, But also the Philistines ַו ֲאָרם ִמ ִּקיר׃ .from Caphtor And the Arameans from Kir ח ִה ֵנּה ֵע ֵיני ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ַּב ַּמ ְמ ָל ָכה ַה ַח ָּט ָאה Behold, Hashem has His eye Upon the sinful 8 ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַמ ְד ִּתי ָאֹת ּה ֵמ ַעל ְּפ ֵני ָה ֲא ָד ָמה !kingdom: I will wipe it off The face of the earth ֶא ֶפס ִּכי לֹא ַהשׁ ְ ֵמיד ַאשׁ ְ ִמיד ֶא ֵּת־בית But, I will not wholly wipe out The House of ַי ֲעקֹב ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .Yaakov —declares Hashem ט ִּכ ִי־ה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ְמ ַצֶּוה ַו ֲה ִנ ִעוֹתי ְב ָכל־ For I will give the order And shake the House of 9 ַה ּג ִוֹים ֶא ֵּת־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ַנּוֹע Yisrael— Through all the nations— As one shakes ַּב ְּכ ָבָרה ְו ִלֹא־י ּפוֹל ְצרוֹר ָאֶרץ׃ sand] in a sieve, And not a pebble falls to the] ground. י ַּב ֶחֶרב ָי ּמו ּתו ּכֹל ַח ָּט ֵאי ַע ִּמי ָה ְאֹמִרים All the sinners of My people Shall perish by the 10 ַלֹא־ת ִּגישׁ ְו ַת ְק ִ ּדים ַּב ֲע ֵד ּינו ָהָר ָעה׃ sword, Who boast, “Never shall the evil Overtake us or come near us.” יא ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָא ִקים ֶא ֻת־ס ַּכת ָ ּדִויד In that day, I will set up again the fallen booth of 11 ַה ֶנֹּפ ֶלת ְו ָג ַדְר ִּתי ֶא ִּת־פְר ֵצ ֶיהן ַו ֲהִר ָסֹתיו David: I will mend its breaches and set up its ruins ָא ִקים ּו ְב ִנ ִית ָיה ִּכ ֵימי ָעוֹלם׃ ,anew. I will build it firm as in the days of old

67 עמוס Amos/Amos פרק ט Chapter 9

יב ְל ַמ ַען ִי ְירשׁ ּו ֶאת־שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ֱאדוֹם ְו ָכל־ So that they shall possess the rest of Edom And all 12 ַה ּג ִוֹים ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־נ ְקָרא שׁ ְ ִמי ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְנ ֻאם־ the nations once attached to My name —declares ְי ָהֹוה ֶעֹשׂה ּזֹאת׃ .Hashem who will bring this to pass יג ִה ֵנּה ָי ִמים ָּב ִאים ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְו ִנ ַּגשׁ A time is coming —declares Hashem— When the 13 ֵחוֹרשׁ ַּב ּק ֵֹצר ְו ֵדֹר ְך ֲע ָנ ִבים ְּבמֹשׁ ֵ ְך ַהָ ּזַרע plowman shall meet the reaper, And the treader of ְו ִה ִּט ּיפו ֶה ָהִרים ָע ִסיס ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְּג ָבעוֹת grapes Him who holds the [bag of] seed; When ִּת ְת ַמוֹג ְג ָנה׃ the mountains shall drip wine And all the hills shall wave [with grain]. יד ְושׁ ַ ְב ִּתי ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּבות ַע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ָב ּנו I will restore My people Yisrael. They shall rebuild 14 ָעִרים ְנשׁ ַ ּמוֹת ְוָישׁ ָ ּבו ְו ָנ ְט ּעו ְכָר ִמים ruined cities and inhabit them; They shall plant ְושׁ ָ ּתו ֶא ֵת־י ָינם ְו ָע ּשׂו ַגנּוֹת ְו ָא ְכ ּלו ֶאת־ vineyards and drink their wine; They shall till ְּפִר ֶיהם׃ .gardens and eat their fruits טו ּו ְנ ַט ְע ִּתים ַע ַל־א ְד ָמ ָתם ְולֹא ִי ָנּ ְתשׁ ּו עוֹד And I will plant them upon their soil, Nevermore 15 ֵמ ַעל ַא ְד ָמ ָתם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ַת ִּתי ָל ֶהם ָא ַמר — to be uprooted From the soil I have given them ָ Twelve Prophets ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹהיך׃ .said Hashem your God un-ta-TEEM al ad-ma-TAM v’-LO yi-na-t’-SHU OD may-AL ad-ma-TAM a-SHER na-TA-tee la-HEM a-MAR a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha

9:15 Nevermore to be uprooted from the soil I have given fruits. This is reminiscent of the idyllic times described them Despite the predictions of punishments that will by Micha (4:4) when every man shall sit “Under his befall the Children of Israel, Amos ends his prophecy grapevine or fig tree with no one to disturb him.”Amos with a message of hope. He proclaims that the day will concludes by comparing the people to a sapling planted come when the people will return to the Land of Israel, firmly in the ground. Their connection to the Land of build houses, plant vineyards and trees, and enjoy their Israel will never again be uprooted.

68

Sefer Ovadya The Book of Obadiah

The fourth book of the Trei Asar, Sefer Ovadya (Obadiah), is the shortest book in the Tanakh. It contains one stark message consisting of invective against Edom. Throughout history, Edom remained Israel’s implacable enemy, a hatred made even more unforgivable due to their close blood relationship: The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Yaakov’s brother. The loathing for Edom became engraved in the Jewish mind, and in rabbinic thought, all of Israel’s enemies are considered to be Edom’s spiritual descendants. It is impossible to identify who Ovadya was, or the time in which he lived. Some traditions connect him with the righteous treasurer of Achav’s court, who hid the prophets from Jezebel’s murderous wrath (I Kings 18:3-4). However, it is difficult to imagine a prophecy against Edom being uttered at that time, in the ninth century BCE, when Edom was a backward region consisting mostly of desert sands. Furthermore, the focus of the book is on Yehuda and Yerushalayim, and not on Achav‘s northern kingdom. Therefore, others suggest thatOvadya prophesied after the destruction of the first Temple in 586 BCE, when Edom not only broke their alliance with Yehuda to betray them to the Babylonian conquerors (see Psalms 137:7 and Isaiah 34:5-17), but then moved across the Jordan Valley to the area west of the Dead Sea, invading and occupying territory that had previously been the inheritance of the exiled Judeans. The single chapter ofOvadya contains several smaller sections, including the prophecy and call against Edom, the grounds for the upcoming punishment, and the punishment itself.

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עובדיה Ovadya/Obadiah פרק א Chapter 1

א ֲחזוֹן ַעֹב ְדָיה ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה The prophecy ofOvadya . We have received tidings 1 1 א ֶל ֱאדוֹם שׁ ְ ּמו ָעה שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ּנו ֵמ ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה from Hashem, And an envoy has been sent out ְו ִציר ַּב ּג ִוֹים שׁ ֻ ָּלח ּקו ּמו ְו ָנ ּקו ָמה ָע ֶל ָיה among the nations: “Up! Let us rise up against her ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ :for battle.” Thus said my God concerning Edom ב ִה ֵנּה ָקטֹן ְנ ַת ִּת ָיך ַּב ּג ִוֹים ָּב ּזוי ַא ָּתה ְמאֹד׃ I will make you least among nations, You shall be 2 most despised. ג ְזדוֹן ִל ְּב ָך ִהשִּׁ ֶיא ָך שׁ ְֹכ ִני ְב ַח ְגֵו ֶּי־ס ַלע Your arrogant heart has seduced you, You who 3 ְמרוֹם שׁ ִ ְב ּתוֹ ֵאֹמר ְּב ִל ּבוֹ ִמי ִיוֹר ֵד ִני ָאֶרץ׃ dwell in clefts of the rock, In your lofty abode. You think in your heart, “Who can pull me down to earth?” ד ִא ַּם־ת ְג ִּב ַּיה ַּכ ֶנּשׁ ֶ ר ְו ִא ֵּם־בין ּכ ָוֹכ ִבים ִשׂים Should you nest as high as the eagle, Should your 4 ִק ֶנּ ָך ִמשָּׁ ם ִאוֹר ְיד ָך ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ eyrie be lodged ’mong the stars, Even from there I will pull you down —declares Hashem. ה ִא ַּם־ג ָנּ ִבים ָּב ּאו ְ־ל ָך ִאם־שׁ ְוֹד ֵדי ַלְי ָלה ,If thieves were to come to you, Marauders by night 5

ֵא ְיך ִנ ְד ֵמ ָיתה ֲהלוֹא ִי ְג ְנ ּבו ַ ּדָּים ִאם־ Twelve Prophets They would steal no more than they needed. If ּב ְֹצִרים ָּב ּאו ָל ְך ֲהלוֹא ַישׁ ְ ִא ּירו ֵעֹללוֹת׃ vintagers came to you, They would surely leave some gleanings. How utterly you are destroyed! ו ֵא ְיך ֶנ ְח ְּפ ּשׂו ֵע ָשׂו ִנ ְב ּעו ַמ ְצ ֻּפ ָניו׃ How thoroughly rifled is Esau, How ransacked his 6 hoards! ז ַע ַד־ה ְּג ּבול שׁ ִ ְּל ּחו ָך ּכֹל ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ְבִר ֶית ָך All your allies turned you back At the frontier; Your 7 ִהשִּׁ ּיאו ָך ָי ְכ ּלו ְל ָך ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י שׁ ְ ֶלֹמ ָך ַל ְח ְמ ָך ;own confederates Have duped and overcome you ָי ִשׂ ּימו ָמזוֹר ַּת ְח ֶּת ָיך ֵאין ְּת ּבו ָנה ּבוֹ׃ Those who ate] your bread Have planted snares] under you. He is bereft of understanding. ח ֲהלוֹא ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְו ַה ֲא ַב ְד ִּתי In that day —declares Hashem— I will make the 8 ֲח ָכ ִמים ֵמ ֱאדוֹם ּו ְת ּבו ָנה ֵמ ַהר ֵע ָשׂו׃ wise vanish from Edom, Understanding from Esau’s mount. ט ְו ַח ּת ּו ִג ּב ֶוֹר ָיך ֵּת ָימן ְל ַמ ַען ִי ָּכֶר ִת־אישׁ Your warriors shall lose heart, O Teman, And not a 9 ֵמ ַהר ֵע ָשׂו ִמ ָּק ֶטל׃ .man on Esau’s mount Shall survive the slaughter v’-kha-TU gi-bo-RE-kha tay-MAN l’-MA-an yi-KA-ret eesh may-HAR ay-SAV mi- KA-tel י ֵמ ֲח ַמס ָא ִח ָיך ַי ֲעקֹב ְּת ַכ ְּס ָך ּבושׁ ָ ה ְו ִנ ְכַר ָּת For the outrage to your brother Yaakov, Disgrace 10 ְל ָעוֹלם׃ shall engulf you, And you shall perish forever

1:9 Not a man on Esau’s mount shall survive the slaughter David writes: “Hashem shall reign forever, your God, O In the conclusion of Ovadya’s description of Edom’s Tzion, for all generations” (Psalms 146:10). Zecharya downfall, two mountains face off against each other: prophesies: “Hashem shall be King over all the earth” Mount Tzion, the symbol of justice and peace, and the (Zecharya 14:9), and Yeshayahu and Micha envision a Mountain of Esau or Mount Seir, which is the symbol time when “Many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come, Let of Esau’s treachery and greed. When Tzion defeats Seir, us go up to the Mount of Hashem, to the House of the God’s rule over the world will be complete. The end of God of Yaakov, that He may instruct us in His ways, and this prophecy is reminiscent of other verses in the Bible that we may walk in His paths; for instruction shall come that foretell Hashem’s dominion over the world in future forth from Tzion, the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim” times, with Tzion the seat of His reign. For example, King (Isaiah 2:3, Micah 4:2).

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יא ְּביוֹם ֲע ָמ ְד ָך ִמ ֶנּ ֶגד ְּביוֹם שׁ ְ בוֹת ָזִרים On that day when you stood aloof, When aliens 11 ֵחילוֹ ְו ָנ ְכִרים ָּב ּאו שערו ]שׁ ְ ָעָריו[ carried off his goods, When foreigners entered his ְו ַע ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ַי ּד ּו ָגוֹרל ַּג ַם־א ָּתה ְּכ ַא ַחד gates And cast lots for Yerushalayim, You were as ֵמ ֶהם׃ .one of them יב ְו ַא ֵּל־תֶרא ְב ָיוֹם־א ִח ָיך ְּביוֹם ָנ ְכרוֹ ְו ַאל־ How could you gaze with glee On your brother 12 ִּת ְשׂ ַמח ִל ְב ֵנ ְי־י ּהו ָדה ְּביוֹם ָא ְב ָדם ְו ַאל־ that day, On his day of calamity! How could you ַּת ְג ֵ ּדל ִּפ ָיך ְּביוֹם ָצָרה׃ gloat Over the people of Yehuda On that day of ruin! How could you loudly jeer On a day of anguish! יג ַא ָּל־תבוֹא ְבשׁ ַ ַע ַר־ע ִּמי ְּביוֹם ֵא ָידם ַאל־ How could you enter the gate of My people On its 13 ֵּתֶרא ַג ַם־א ָּתה ְּבָר ָעתוֹ ְּביוֹם ֵאידוֹ ְו ַאל־ day of disaster, Gaze in glee with the others On its ִּתשׁ ְ ַל ְח ָנה ְב ֵחילוֹ ְּביוֹם ֵאידוֹ׃ misfortune On its day of disaster, And lay hands on its wealth On its day of disaster! יד ְו ַא ַּל־ת ֲעמֹד ַע ַל־ה ֶּפֶרק ְל ַה ְכִרית ֶאת־ How could you stand at the passes To cut down its 14 fugitives! How could you betray those who fled On Twelve Prophets ְּפ ִל ָיטיו ְו ַא ַּל־ת ְס ֵּגר ְשׂ ִר ָידיו ְּביוֹם ָצָרה׃ that day of anguish! טו ִּכ ָי־קרוֹב ְיוֹם־י ָהֹוה ַע ָּל־כ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר As you did, so shall it be done to you; Your conduct 15 ָע ִשׂ ָית ֵי ָע ֶשׂה ָּל ְך ְּג ֻמ ְל ָך ָישׁ ּוב ְּברֹאשׁ ֶ ָך׃ shall be requited. Yea, against all nations The day of Hashem is at hand. טז ִּכי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ְ ִת ֶיתם ַע ַל־הר ָק ְדשׁ ִ י ִישׁ ְ ּת ּו That same cup that you drank on My Holy Mount 16 ָכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ָּת ִמיד ְושׁ ָ ּתו ְו ָל ּעו ְו ָה ּיו ְּכלוֹא Shall all nations drink evermore, Drink till their ָה ּיו׃ speech grows thick, And they become as though they had never been. יז ּו ְב ַהר ִצ ּיוֹן ִּת ְהֶיה ְפ ֵל ָיטה ְו ָהָיה ֶקֹדשׁ ,But on Tzion’s mount a remnant shall survive 17 ְוָיְרשׁ ּו ֵּבית ַי ֲעקֹב ֵאת ָמוֹרשׁ ֵ ֶיהם׃ And it shall be holy. The House ofYaakov shall dispossess Those who dispossessed them. uv-HAR tzi-YON tih-YEH f’-lay-TAH v’-HA-yah KO-desh v’-ya-r’-SHU BAYT ya- a-KOV AYT mo-ra-shay-HEM

1:17 But on Tzion’s mount a remnant shall sur- descendants, the Jewish people. When the European vive. Ovadya uses the same Hebrew word, Jewish community realized the grave danger Hitler remnant,’ that Yaakov originally used to posed, they found solace in the words of the Tanakh and‘ ,(פליטה) playta describe his confrontation with his brother: “If Esau recognized that “on Tzion’s mount a remnant shall sur- comes to the one camp and attacks it, the other camp vive.” The saintly Rabbi Israel Meir Kagen (1839-1933), may yet escape (playta)” (Genesis 32:9). When the same known as the Chofetz Chaim, told his students that the Front wall of the Hebrew word is used to describe unrelated events, this survival of the Jewish people would be through the Ponovezh Yeshiva in means that the Tanakh is alluding to a deep connection Land of Israel. In fact, the great Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei between them. Ovadya is invoking the great confronta- Brak, one of the largest centers of Torah study in the tion between Yaakov and Esau to describe the final world, has this verse etched on its front wall, reminding encounter between the Jews and their enemies, and its students never to forget that Tzion is the only refuge teaching us the ultimate secret to the survival of Yaakov’s from persecution and the wrath of Esau.

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יח ְו ָהָיה ֵב ַית־י ֲעקֹב ֵאשׁ ּו ֵבית ֵיוֹסף ֶל ָה ָבה The House ofYaakov shall be fire, And the House 18 ּו ֵבית ֵע ָשׂו ְל ַקשׁ ְו ָד ְל ּקו ָב ֶהם ַו ֲא ָכ ּלום of Yosef flame, And the House of Esau shall be ְו ִלֹא־י ְהֶיה ָשׂ ִריד ְל ֵבית ֵע ָשׂו ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה straw; They shall burn it and devour it, And no ִ ּד ֵּבר׃ survivor shall be left of the House of Esau —for Hashem has spoken. יט ְוָיְרשׁ ּו ַה ֶנּ ֶגב ֶא ַת־הר ֵע ָשׂו ְו ַהשְּׁ ֵפ ָלה ֶאת־ Thus they shall possess theNegev and Mount Esau 19 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְוָיְרשׁ ּו ֶא ְת־שׂ ֵדה ֶא ְפַרִים ְו ֵאת as well, the Shephelah and Philistia. They shall ְשׂ ֵדה שׁ ְֹמרוֹן ּו ִב ְנָי ִמן ֶא ַת־ה ִּג ְל ָעד׃ possess the Ephraimite country and the district of Shomron, and Binyamin along with Gilad. כ ְו ָג ֻלת ַה ֵח ַל־הֶ ּזה ִל ְב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ [And that exiled force of Israelites [shall possess 20 ְּכ ַנ ֲע ִנים ַע ָד־צְר ַפת ְו ָג ֻלת ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר what belongs to the Phoenicians as far as ִּב ְס ָפַרד ִיְרשׁ ּו ֵאת ָעֵרי ַה ֶנּ ֶגב׃ Zarephath, while the Jerusalemite exile community of Sepharad shall possess the towns of the Negev. כא ְו ָע ּלו מוֹשׁ ִ ִעים ְּב ַהר ִצ ּיוֹן ִלשׁ ְ ּפֹט ֶאת־ For liberators shall march up on Mount Tzion to 21 ַהר ֵע ָשׂו ְו ָהְי ָתה ַל ָיהֹוה ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה׃ wreak judgment on Mount Esau; and dominion Twelve Prophets shall be Hashem’s. v’-a-LU mo-shi-EEM b’-HAR tzi-YON lish-POT et HAR ay-SAV v’-ha-y’-TAH la- do-NAI ha-m’-lu-KHAH

1:21 For liberators shall march up on Mount understand every nuance of this verse, for I believe we Tzion Who are the liberators who will march are living in a time when Ovadya’s prophecy is at last upon Mount Zion and judge the enemies of the Jewish being realized… These seem to be the days of a people? Rabbi David Stavsky (1929-2004) quotes sev- Messianic era. If not, how else can we explain the awak- eral commentators including Radak, Malbim and ening from a coma of millions of Soviet Jews, a Mezudat David, who agree that these saviors are the resuscitation, a life after spiritual death, a return to a Rabbi David Stavsky Mashiach and his ministers. He writes that especially in Judaism that they knew of, but could not practice. We (1930-2004) our own times, following the Holocaust and the estab- feel in the depths of our souls, in the marrow of our lishment of the State of Israel, “We must analyze and bones, that we are living in Messianic times.”

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Sefer Yona The Book of Jonah

The fifth book of theTrei Asar, Sefer Yona (Jonah), is one of the most famous books of the Bible and one of the least understood. The excitement of the giant fish that swallows the runaway prophet, the suspense about whether or not the people of Nineveh will repent, and the question if God will carry out his threat to overturn the city, all tend to overshadow the resounding moral message contained in the book: Hashem is merciful, patient, and forgiving, even to the worst scoundrels and enemies that humanity knows, as long as they take steps towards justice, righteousness, and repentance. Yona, son of Amittai, is mentioned in Melachim II (14:25) as a prophet who lived during the reign of Yerovam II in the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign at the beginning of the eighth century BCE was one of relative peace and quiet. However, the shadow of Assyrian domination and conquest, which had been long dormant, was beginning to raise its terrible head. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, and one can only imagine the feelings of the prophet when asked to prophesy to save the city of Nineveh, Israel’s most bitter enemy who would become the instrument of its annihilation. In Yona’s mind, saving the city of Nineveh would make him complicit in the destruction of his people. Is this something he can do? The book can be divided into two sections of two chapters each. Each section contains a request by God that Yona prophesy to the people of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, and Yona’s response. The first time,Yona refuses to deliver the message and attempts to flee, only to be stopped by Hashem. The second timeHashem calls him, Yona acquiesces, and tells the people of Nineveh that their end is near. They repent, and God chooses to forgive them. When the prophet complains, God demonstrates to him that His mercy extends to all the world’s inhabitants and creatures.

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יונה Yona/Jonah פרק א Chapter 1

א ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ָל־יוֹנה ֶב ֲן־א ִמ ַּתי :The word ofHashem came to Yona son of Amitai 1 1 א ֵלאמֹר׃ ב ּקום ֵל ְך ֶא ִל־נ ְינֵוה ָה ִעיר ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ּו ְקָרא Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and 2 ָע ֶל ָיה ִּכ ָי־ע ְל ָתה ָר ָע ָתם ְל ָפ ָני׃ proclaim judgment upon it; for their wickedness has come before Me. ג ַוָּי ָקם ָיוֹנה ִל ְב ַרֹח ַּתְרשׁ ִ ישׁ ָ ה ִמ ִּל ְפ ֵני Yona, however, started out to flee to Tarshish 3 ְי ָהֹוה ַוֵּיֶרד ָיפוֹ ַוִּי ְמ ָצא ָא ִנָּיה ָּב ָאה from Hashem’s service. He went down to Yaffo ַתְרשׁ ִ ישׁ ַוִּי ֵּתן ְשׂ ָכָר ּה ַוֵּיֶרד ָּב ּה ָלבוֹא and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the ִע ָּמ ֶהם ַּתְרשׁ ִ ישׁ ָ ה ִמ ִּל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ fare and went aboard to sail with the others to Tarshish, away from the service of Hashem. va-YA-kom yo-NAH liv-RO-akh tar-SHEE-shah mi-lif-NAY a-do-NAI va-YAY-red ya-FO va-yim-TZA o-ni-YAH ba-AH tar-SHEESH va-yi-TAYN s’-kha-RAH va- YAY-red BAH la-VO i-ma-HEM tar-SHEE-shah mi-lif-NAY a-do-NAI ד ַו ָיהֹוה ֵה ִטיל ּרו ַח ְּ־ג ָדוֹלה ֶא ַל־הָּים ַוְי ִהי But Hashem cast a mighty wind upon the sea, and 4

ַס ַע ָּר־גדוֹל ַּבָּים ְו ָה ֳא ִנָּיה ִחשְּׁ ָבה ְל ִהשָּׁ ֵבר׃ Twelve Prophets such a great tempest came upon the sea that the ship was in danger of breaking up. ה ַוִּי ְיר ּאו ַה ַּמ ָּל ִחים ַוִּיְז ֲע ּקו ִאישׁ ֶא ֱל־א ָלֹהיו In their fright, the sailors cried out, each to his own 5 ַוָּי ִט ּלו ֶא ַת־ה ֵּכ ִלים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ֳא ִנָּיה ֶא ַל־הָּים god; and they flung the ship’s cargo overboard to ְל ָה ֵקל ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְו ָיוֹנה ָיַרד ֶא ַל־יְר ְּכ ֵתי make it lighter for them. Yona, meanwhile, had ַה ְּס ִפ ָינה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ַוֵּיָר ַדם׃ gone down into the hold of the vessel where he lay down and fell asleep. ו ַוִּי ְקַרב ֵא ָליו ַרב ַה ֵחֹבל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַמה־ The captain went over to him and cried out, “How 6 ְּל ָך ִנְר ָ ּדם ּקום ְקָרא ֶא ֱל־א ֶלֹה ָיך ּאו ַלי can you be sleeping so soundly! Up, call upon your ִי ְת ַעשֵּׁ ת ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ָל ּנו ְולֹא ֵנֹאבד׃ god! Perhaps the god will be kind to us and we will not perish.” ז ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ִאישׁ ֶא ֵל־ר ֵע ּהו ְל ּכו ְו ַנ ִּפ ָילה The men said to one another, “Let us cast lots and 7 ָגוֹרלוֹת ְו ֵנ ְד ָעה ְּבשׁ ֶ ְּל ִמי ָהָר ָעה ַה ּזֹאת find out on whose account this misfortune has ָל ּנו ַוַּי ִּפ ּלו ּג ָוֹרלוֹת ַוִּי ּפֹל ַה ּג ָוֹרל ַע ָל־יוֹנה׃ come upon us.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Yona. ח ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵא ָליו ַה ִּג ָיד ָה־נּא ָל ּנו ַּב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר They said to him, “Tell us, you who have brought 8 ְל ִמ ָי־הָר ָעה ַה ּזֹאת ָל ּנו ַמ ְּה־מ ַל ְאכ ְּת ָך ?this misfortune upon us, what is your business ּו ֵמ ַאִין ָּתבוֹא ָמה ַאְר ֶצ ָך ְו ֵא ִי־מֶ ּזה ַעם ,Where have you come from? What is your country ָא ָּתה׃ ”?and of what people are you ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ִע ְבִרי ָא ִנֹכי ְו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ,I am a Hebrew,” he replied. “I worship Hashem“ 9 ֱא ֵלֹהי ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ֲא ִני ָיֵרא ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה ”.the God of Heaven, who made both sea and land ֶא ַת־הָּים ְו ֶא ַת־הַּי ָּבשׁ ָ ה׃

1:3 Yona, however, started out to flee to Tarshish spiritual consciousness, necessary for direct prophetic from Hashem’s service How could Yona even communication, is possible only in the Holy Land. By entertain the possibility that he could flee from God? leaving Eretz Yisrael, Yona thought that he had managed Doesn’t Hashem’s providence and dominion extend over to disqualify himself from receiving future prophecies, all the earth? Many commentators, such as Rashi, Radak, and that Hashem would have to turn to another prophet Malbim, and others explain that while Yona knew that to deliver His message. Hashem’s rule extends everywhere, the highest level of

77 יונה Yona/Jonah פרק ב Chapter 2

י ַוִּי ְיר ּאו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִיְר ָאה ְג ָדוֹלה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ,The men were greatly terrified, and they asked him 10 ֵא ָליו ַמ ּה־זֹאת ָע ִשׂ ָית ִּכ ָי־י ְד ּעו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים What have you done?” And when the men learned“ ִּכ ִי־מ ִּל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ּהוא ֵבֹר ַח ִּכי ִה ִּגיד ָל ֶהם׃ — that he was fleeing from the service ofHashem for so he told them— יא ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵא ָליו ַמ ַה־נּ ֲע ֶשׂה ָּל ְך ְוִישׁ ְ ּתֹק they said to him, “What must we do to you to make 11 ַהָּים ֵמ ָע ֵל ּינו ִּכי ַהָּים ֵהוֹל ְך ְו ֵסֹער׃ the sea calm around us?” For the sea was growing more and more stormy. יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ָשׂ ּאו ִני ַו ֲה ִט ֻיל ִני ֶא ַל־הָּים He answered, “Heave me overboard, and the sea 12 ְוִישׁ ְ ּתֹק ַהָּים ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ִּכי ֵיוֹד ַע ָא ִני ִּכי will calm down for you; for I know that this terrible ְבשׁ ֶ ִּלי ַה ַּס ַער ַה ָּגדוֹל ַהֶ ּזה ֲע ֵל ֶיכם׃ ”.storm came upon you on my account יג ַוַּי ְח ְּת ּרו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַל־הַּי ָּבשׁ ָ ה Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to regain the 13 ְולֹא ָי ּכֹלו ִּכי ַהָּים ֵהוֹל ְך ְו ֵסֹער ֲע ֵל ֶיהם׃ shore, but they could not, for the sea was growing more and more stormy about them. יד ַוִּי ְקְר ּאו ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָא ָנּה ְי ָהֹוה ,Then they cried out toHashem : “Oh, please 14 Twelve Prophets ַא ָל־נא ְנֹאב ָדה ְּב ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָה ִאישׁ ַהֶ ּזה ְו ַאל־ Hashem, do not let us perish on account of this ִּת ֵּתן ָע ֵל ּינו ָ ּדם ָנ ִקיא ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה man’s life. Do not hold us guilty of killing an ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָח ַפ ְצ ָּת ָע ִשׂ ָית׃ ,innocent person! For You, Hashem, by Your will have brought this about.” טו ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ֶא ָת־יוֹנה ַוְי ִט ֻל ּהו ֶא ַל־הָּים ַוַּי ֲעמֹד And they heaved Yona overboard, and the sea 15 ַה ָ ּים ִמ ַ ּז ְע ּפוֹ ׃ .stopped raging טז ַוִּי ְיר ּאו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִיְר ָאה ְג ָדוֹלה ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה The men fearedHashem greatly; they offered a 16 ַוִּיְז ְּב ּחו ֶ־ז ַבח ַל ָיהֹוה ַוִּי ְ ּד ּרו ְנ ָדִרים׃ .sacrifice toHashem and they made vows א ַוְי ַמן ְי ָהֹוה ָ ּדג ָּגדוֹל ִל ְב ַלֹע ֶא ָת־יוֹנה ַוְי ִהי Hashem provided a huge fish to swallowYona ; and 1 2 ב ָיוֹנה ִּב ְמ ֵעי ַה ָ ּדג שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ָי ִמים ּושׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה Yona remained in the fish’s belly three days and ֵלילוֹת׃ .three nights ב ַוִּי ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ָיוֹנה ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ָלֹהיו ִמ ְּמ ֵעי Yona prayed to Hashem his God from the belly of 2 ַה ָ ּד ָגה׃ .the fish ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָקָר ִאתי ִמ ָּצָרה ִלי ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה He said: In my trouble I called to Hashem, And He 3 ַוַּי ֲע ֵנ ִני ִמ ֶּב ֶטן שׁ ְ אוֹל שׁ ִ ַּו ְע ִּתי שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ָּת ,answered me; From the belly of Sheol I cried out ִקוֹלי׃ .And You heard my voice ד ַו ַּתשׁ ְ ִל ֵיכ ִני ְמ ּצו ָלה ִּב ְל ַבב ַי ִּמים ְו ָנ ָהר You cast me into the depths, Into the heart of the 4 ְי ְסֹב ֵב ִני ָּכ ִל־משׁ ְ ָּבֶר ָיך ְו ַג ֶּל ָיך ָע ַלי ָע ָב ּרו׃ sea, The floods engulfed me; Al Your breakers and billows Swept over me. ה ַו ֲא ִני ָא ַמְר ִּתי ִנ ְגַרשׁ ְ ִּתי ִמ ֶנּ ֶגד ֵע ֶינ ָיך ַא ְך :I thought I was driven away Out of Your sight 5 ִאוֹסיף ְל ַה ִּביט ֶא ֵל־ה ַיכל ָק ְדשׁ ֶ ָך׃ ?Would I ever gaze again Upon Your holy Temple ו ֲא ָפ ּפו ִני ַמִים ַע ֶד־נ ֶפשׁ ְּתהוֹם ְי ְסֹב ֵב ִני The waters closed in over me, The deep engulfed 6 ּסוף ָח ּבושׁ ְלרֹאשׁ ִ י׃ .me. Weeds twined around my head ז ְל ִק ְצ ֵבי ָהִרים ָיַר ְד ִּתי ָה ָאֶרץ ְּבִר ֶח ָיה I sank to the base of the mountains; The bars of the 7 ַב ֲע ִדי ְל ָעוֹלם ַו ַּת ַעל ִמשַּׁ ַחת ַחַּיי ְי ָהֹוה earth closed upon me forever. Yet You brought my ֱא ָלֹהי׃ !life up from the pit, Hashem my God

78 יונה Yona/Jonah פרק ג Chapter 3

ח ְּב ִה ְת ַע ֵּטף ָע ַלי ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ָז ָכְר ִּתי When my life was ebbing away, I called Hashem to 8 ַו ָּתבוֹא ֵא ֶל ָיך ְּת ִפ ָּל ִתי ֶא ֵל־ה ַיכל ָק ְדשׁ ֶ ָך׃ mind; And my prayer came before You, Into Your holy Temple. b’-hit-a-TAYF a-LAI naf-SHEE et a-do-NAI za-KHAR-tee va-ta-VO ay-LE-kha t’-fi-la-TEE el hay-KHAL kod-SHE-kha ט ְמשׁ ַ ְּמִרים ַה ְב ֵלי־שׁ ָ ְוא ַח ְס ָ ּדם ַי ֲע ּזֹבו׃ They who cling to empty folly Forsake their own 9 welfare, י ַו ֲא ִני ְּבקוֹל ּת ָוֹדה ֶאְז ְּב ָח ָּה־ל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ;But I, with loud thanksgiving, Will sacrifice to You 10 ָנ ַדְר ִּתי ֲאשׁ ַ ֵּל ָמה ְישׁ ּו ָע ָתה ַל ָיהֹוה׃ What I have vowed I will perform. Deliverance is Hashem’s! יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ַל ָ ּדג ַוָּי ֵקא ֶא ָת־יוֹנה ֶאל־ Hashem commanded the fish, and it spewed Yona 11 ַ ה ַ ּ י ָ ּ ב שׁ ָ ה ׃ .out upon dry land ג א ַוְי ִהי ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ָל־יוֹנה שׁ ֵ ִנית ֵלאמֹר׃ :The word ofHashem came to Yona a second time 1 3

ב ּקום ֵל ְך ֶא ִל־נ ְינֵוה ָה ִעיר ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ִּו ְקָרא Twelve Prophets 2 “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and ֵא ֶל ָיה ֶא ַת־ה ְּקִר ָיאה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי ּד ֵֹבר ”.proclaim to it what I tell you ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ג ַוָּי ָקם ָיוֹנה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־נ ְינֶוה ִּכ ְד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה Yona went at once to Nineveh in accordance with 3 ְו ִנ ְינֵוה ָהְי ָתה ִע ְּיר־ג ָדוֹלה ֵל ִאלֹהים Hashem’s command. Nineveh was an enormously ַמ ֲה ַל ְך שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָי ִמים׃ .large city a three days’ walk across ד ַוָּי ֶחל ָיוֹנה ָלבוֹא ָב ִעיר ַמ ֲה ַל ְך יוֹם ֶא ָחד Yona started out and made his way into the city the 4 ַוִּי ְקָרא ַו ּי ַֹאמר עוֹד ַאְר ָּב ִעים יוֹם ְו ִנ ְינֵוה distance of one day’s walk, and proclaimed: “Forty ֶנ ְה ָּפ ֶכת׃ ”!days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown ה ַוַּי ֲא ִמ ּינו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִנ ְינֵוה ֵּב ִאלֹהים ַוִּי ְקְר ּאו־ The people of Nineveh believedHashem . They 5 צוֹם ַוִּי ְל ְּבשׁ ּו ַשׂ ִּקים ִמ ְּג ָדוֹלם ְו ַעד־ proclaimed a fast, and great and small alike put on ְק ַט ָנּ ם׃ .sackcloth ו ַוִּי ַּגע ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֶא ֶל־מ ֶלך ִנ ְינֵוה ַוָּי ָקם ִמ ִּכ ְסאוֹ When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he 6 ַוַּי ֲע ֵבר ַא ַ ּדְר ּתוֹ ֵמ ָע ָליו ַוְי ַכס ַשׂק ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on ַע ָל־ה ֵא ֶפר׃ .sackcloth, and sat in ashes ז ַוַּיְז ֵעק ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְּב ִנ ְינֵוה ִמ ַּט ַעם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך :And he had the word cried through Nineveh 7 ּו ְג ָדֹליו ֵלאמֹר ָה ָא ָדם ְו ַה ְּב ֵה ָמה ַה ָּב ָקר By decree of the king and his nobles: No man or“ ְו ַה ּצֹאן ַא ִל־י ְט ֲע ּמו ְמ ּאו ָמה ַא ִל־יְר ּעו beast—of flock or herd—shall taste anything! They ּו ַמִים ַא ִל־ישׁ ְ ּת ּו׃ !shall not graze, and they shall not drink water

2:8 And my prayer came before You, into Your holy pray (verse 10). This prayer anticipates the lesson that Temple Such is the heart of a true prophet. Trapped Hashem later imparts to Yona. Though man may stumble inside the belly of the large fish, with no hope of escape, in sin, he can always pick himself up and recover, as it is Yona does not despair. Instead, he pours out his prayer written, “Seven times the righteous man falls and gets to God. Though he has run away from Hashem and His up, while the wicked are tripped by one misfortune” mission, Yona hopes that he will not only survive, but (Proverbs 24:16). Even after our biggest failures, God once again become worthy to stand before God in his lovingly awaits our return, if only we have the will to Holy Temple in Yerushalayim, to bring offerings and to do so.

79 יונה Yona/Jonah פרק ד Chapter 4

ח ְוִי ְת ַּכ ּס ּו ַשׂ ִּקים ָה ָא ָדם ְו ַה ְּב ֵה ָמה ְוִי ְקְר ּאו They shall be covered with sackcloth—man and 8 ֶא ֱל־א ִלֹהים ְּב ָחְז ָקה ְוָישׁ ֻ ּבו ִאישׁ ִמ ַ ּדְר ּכוֹ beast—and shall cry mightily to Hashem. Let ָהָר ָעה ּו ִמ ֶן־ה ָח ָמס ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ַכ ֵּפ ֶיהם׃ everyone turn back from his evil ways and from the injustice of which he is guilty. ט ִמ ֵי־יוֹד ַע ָישׁ ּוב ְו ִנ ַחם ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ְושׁ ָ ב ?Who knows but that Hashem may turn and relent 9 ֵמ ֲחרוֹן ַא ּפוֹ ְולֹא ֵנֹאבד׃ He may turn back from His wrath, so that we do not perish.” י ַוַּיְרא ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֶא ַת־מ ֲע ֵשׂ ֶיהם ִּכי־שׁ ָ ּבו Hashem saw what they did, how they were turning 10 ִמ ַ ּדְר ָּכם ָהָר ָעה ַוִּי ָנּ ֶחם ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַעל־ back from their evil ways. And Hashem renounced ָהָר ָעה ֲאשׁ ֶ ִ ּר־ד ֶּבר ַל ֲע ָשׂוֹת־ל ֶהם ְולֹא the punishment He had planned to bring upon ָע ָשׂ ה׃ .them, and did not carry it out va-YAR ha-e-lo-HEEM et ma-a-say-HEM kee SHA-vu mi-dar-KAM ha-ra-AH va-yi-NA-khem ha-e-lo-HEEM al ha-ra-AH a-sher di-BER la-a-sot la-HEM v’-LO a-SAH 1 Twelve Prophets ד א ַוֵּיַרע ֶא ָל־יוֹנה ָר ָעה ְג ָדוֹלה ַוִּי ַחר לוֹ׃ .This displeasedYona greatly, and he was grieved 4 ב ַוִּי ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ַו ּי ַֹאמר ָא ָנּה ְי ָהֹוה He prayed to Hashem, saying, “Hashem! Isn’t this 2 ֲה ֶלוֹא־זה ְד ָבִרי ַע ֱד־ה ִיוֹתי ַע ַל־א ְד ָמ ִתי ?just what I said when I was still in my own country ַע ֵּל־כן ִק ַ ּד ְמ ִּתי ִל ְב ַרֹח ַּתְרשׁ ִ ישׁ ָ ה ִּכי That is why I fled beforehand to Tarshish. For I ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכי ַא ָּתה ֵא ַל־ח ּנּון ְוַר ּחום ֶאֶר ְך know that You are a compassionate and gracious ַא ַּפִים ְוַר ֶב־ח ֶסד ְו ִנ ָחם ַע ָל־הָר ָעה׃ ,God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness renouncing punishment. ג ְו ַע ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה ַק ָח־נא ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ִ י ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ִּכי Please, Hashem, take my life, for I would rather die 3 טוֹב ִמוֹתי ֵמ ַחָּיי׃ ”.than live ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ַה ֵה ֵיטב ָחָרה ָל ְך׃ ”?Hashem replied, “Are you that deeply grieved 4 ה ַוֵּי ֵצא ָיוֹנה ִמ ָן־ה ִעיר ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ִמ ֶּק ֶדם ָל ִעיר Now Yona had left the city and found a place east 5 ַוַּי ַעשׂ לוֹ שׁ ָ ם ֻס ָּכה ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ַּת ְח ֶּת ָיה ַּב ֵּצל of the city. He made a booth there and sat under it ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִיְר ֶאה ַמ ִּה־י ְהֶיה ָּב ִעיר׃ in the shade, until he should see what happened to the city.

3:10 How they were turning back from their evil They abandon their evil ways and make a true ways The people of Nineveh don sackcloth, fast, commitment to behave righteously and justly in the and sit in dust and ashes, in the hope that this will bring future. Without such a genuine change of heart, the Hashem to forgive them. What Yona teaches us, however, external signs remain empty gestures. The Sages of the is that it is not these external actions that bring about Talmud (Taanit 16a) derive this lesson from the fact that their forgiveness. Instead, what impresses Hashem is the the verse does not say “God saw their sackcloth and fact that these actions reflected, and perhaps helped fasting,” but rather, “Hashem saw what they did, how bring about, a fundamental change in their mentality. they were turning back from their evil ways”.

80 יונה Yona/Jonah פרק ד Chapter 4

ו ַוְי ַמן ְי ָהֹו ֱה־א ִלֹהים ִק ָיקיוֹן ַוַּי ַעל ֵמ ַעל Hashem provided a ricinus plant, which grew up 6 ְל ָיוֹנה ִל ְהיוֹת ֵצל ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ ְל ַה ִּציל over Yona, to provide shade for his head and save לוֹ ֵמָר ָעתוֹ ַוִּי ְשׂ ַמח ָיוֹנה ַע ַל־ה ִּק ָיקיוֹן him from discomfort. Yona was very happy about ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ְג ָדוֹלה׃ .the plant vai-MAN a-do-nai e-lo-HEEM kee-ka-YON va-YA-al may-AL l’-yo-NAH lih-YOT TZAYL al ro-SHO l’-ha-TZEEL LO may-ra-a-TO va-yis-MAKH yo-NAH al ha- kee-ka-YON sim-KHAH g’-do-LAH ז ַוְי ַמן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ּת ַוֹל ַעת ַּב ֲעלוֹת ַהשַּׁ ַחר ,But the next day at dawn Hashem provided a worm 7 ַל ָּמ ֳחָרת ַו ַּת ְך ֶא ַת־ה ִּק ָיקיוֹן ַוִּי ָיבשׁ ׃ .which attacked the plant so that it withered ח ַוְי ִהי ִּכְז ַרֹח ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ַוְי ַמן ֱא ִלֹהים ּרו ַח And when the sun rose, Hashem provided a sultry 8 ָק ִדים ֲחִרישׁ ִ ית ַו ַּת ְך ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ַעל־רֹאשׁ east wind; the sun beat down on Yona’s head, and ָיוֹנה ַוִּי ְת ַע ָּלף ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ וֹ ָל ּמות he became faint. He begged for death, saying, “I ַו ּי ֶֹאמר טוֹב ִמוֹתי ֵמ ַחָּיי׃ ”.would rather die than live ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֱא ִלֹהים ֶא ָל־יוֹנה ַה ֵה ֵיטב ָחָרה־ ThenHashem said to Yona, “Are you so deeply 9 ְל ָך ַע ַל־ה ִּק ָיקיוֹן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵה ֵיטב ָחָר ִה־לי Twelve Prophets grieved about the plant?” “Yes,” he replied, “so ַע ָד־מֶות׃ ”.deeply that I want to die י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ַא ָּתה ַח ְס ָּת ַע ַל־ה ִּק ָיקיוֹן ,ThenHashem said: “You cared about the plant 10 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָלֹא־ע ַמ ְל ָּת ּבוֹ ְולֹא ִג ַ ּד ְל ּתוֹ שׁ ֶ ִּבן־ which you did not work for and which you did ַלְי ָלה ָהָיה ּו ִב ַן־לְי ָלה ָא ָבד׃ not grow, which appeared overnight and perished overnight. יא ַו ֲא ִני לֹא ָא ּחוס ַע ִל־נ ְינֵוה ָה ִעיר ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה And should not I care about Nineveh, that great 11 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶישׁ ָּ־ב ּה ַהְר ֵּבה ִמשׁ ְ ֵּת ֶים־ע ְשׂ ֵרה city, in which there are more than a hundred and ִר ּבוֹ ָא ָדם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָלֹא־י ַדע ֵּב ְין־י ִמינוֹ twenty thousand persons who do not yet know ִל ְשׂמֹאלוֹ ּו ְב ֵה ָמה ַר ָּבה׃ their right hand from their left, and many beasts as well!”

4:6 Hashem provided a ricinus plant As Yona to a considerable height in a short amount of time, so sulks over God’s compassion to those he views that a sprout quickly attains the appearance of a small as sinners, Hashem prepares for him a large plant, a tree, much like Yona’s kikayon which appeared suddenly to provide Yona with shade. The identity and provided him with ample shade. The scientific name ,(קיקיון) kikayon of this plant has long fascinated commentators. of this plant is Ricinus Communis. In Egyptian, the plant According to some, it is the castor oil plant, which is is called kiki, which is similar to the Hebrew word used Castor oil plant common in Israel. This plant has large leaves and grows here: Kikayon. seedling in Israel

81

Sefer Micha The Book of Micah

The sixth of theTrei Asar, Sefer Micha (Micah), records the prophecies of Micha the Morashite. A contemporary of Yeshayahu and Hoshea, he lived in the second half of the eighth century BCE, a time which saw the Assyrians become a superpower in the Middle East, defeating and subjecting the nations and countries that stood in its path of conquest. The northern kingdom of Israel, Shomron, is conqured and exiled by the Assyrian king Sargon II in 722 BCE, and just over twenty years later, in 701 BCE, his son Sennacherib embarks on his own campaign of conquest, capturing all of Yehuda’s fortified cities and laying siege toYerushalayim . Only through God’s miraculous intervention described in Sefer Melachim II 19, bringing a plague that strikes the Assyrian army at night, killing hundreds of thousands and causing their retreat, is the country saved. The brilliance of the Hebrew prophets is expressed in their understanding that these events were not accidental, but were directly linked to the level of righteousness and justice among the nation. Yehuda, unlike the idolatrous Yisrael, continued to worship Hashem. Like their northern brethren, however, unscrupulous officials in the cities profited from the labor of the hard-working farmers in the countryside. The prophetMicha was a strong opponent of these wealthy and powerful men, denouncing them at every opportunity. It is thus not surprising that scholars have referred to him as the “Amos of the southern kingdom”. However, unlike Amos, Micha was somewhat successful in effecting a change among his people. When, a century later, Yirmiyhau is tried for sedition, the elders protested, reminding them: “Micha the Morashtite, who prophesied in the days of King Chizkiyahu of Yehuda, said to all the people of Yehuda: ‘Thus said the lord of Hosts: Tzion shall be plowed as a field,Yerushalayim shall become heaps of ruins, and the Temple Mount a shrine in the woods.’ “Did King Chizkiyahu of Yehuda, and all Yehuda, put him to death? Did he not rather fear Hashem and implore Hashem, so that Hashem renounced the

83 punishment He had decreed against them? We are about to do great injury to ourselves!” (Jeremiah 26:18-19). The structure of the book is straightforward. It contains three sections beginning in chapters 1, 3, and 6. In each section, Micha outlines God’s complaint before the people, clarifies whatHashem wants from them, and concludes with a message of hope and salvation.

84 א

יב יא י ט ח ז ו ה ד ג ב א ִ ְ ְ ְ ִ שׁ ִ ָ ָ ְ ּ ּ ְ ְ ָ ַ ָ ַ ַ ִ ֵ ַ ֵ ֻ י ֵ ו ִ ו ְ ָ י ו ִ ו י ו ִ ַ ו נ ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ ִ ָ כ כ כ כ כ ַ ל ב ב ב ד ְ ה ה ִ ע ע ע ְ ָ ֶ מ מ מ מ מ נ ַ ְ ַ ג ַ ּ ַ ַ כ ֵ ָ ֶ ְ ּ ֵ ג ּ ֵ ֵ ֶ ַ מ ְ מ שׂ ת שׂ ר ג ב ְ פ ע ב ִ א ל ת ָ א מ ה ַ שׁ ִ א א מ ּ ּ ִ ַ ּ ֲ ְ נּ שׁ ו מ ִ ירו ָ ְ ַ ֵ ב ר ֶ ְ ָ ר שׁ ּ ר כ פ י א לֹא י מ י־ה ֹר י־ח ָ ָ ָ ָ צ ּ ָ ַ ּ ַ ֵ שׁ ֵ ּ ס ת נּ ְ ִ ְ ְ ּ י ב ְ מיכה יכ ָ לֹא ַ ַ ק ְ ּ ּ ע ע ר־י ר ם ו א ו פרק א ל־פ ב ו ל נ ּ ּ צ ְ ְ עו נו ְ ת ּ ת א ׃ ת י ִ שׁ ו שׁ ָ ָ י י ִ ָ ה י ל ָ ל ִ

ֶ ִ ה ּ ָ ְ ס ל י ַ ַ א ָ ּ ַ ְ ים ו כ ֶ עו ע י ּ ְ ּ ִ ה ָ הֹו ַ ת ג ּ ע ד־שׁ ָ כ ה י ים ב ו ִ ֵ ְ ָ ֲ ָ ּ הֹו ְ ַ הו ל ק ֶ ּ ִ ק ַ ּ ַ ָ ל מ א ה ל ְ ּ ִם׃ ֶ ע ה ע ָ ה ר יל ִ כ ן זוֹנ מ ִ ֶ ל־ת ָ ִ ָ ד ל־זֹאת א ּ ד ִ ְ ְ ּ ַ הֹו ִ ב יה ֲ ָ ּ ר מוֹת י ּ פ י ב ֲ ַ ָ ְ ג ָ ת ד שׁ י ֹמ ]שׁ וֹל שילל ]שׁ וֹל ע ל־ע יוֹשׁ ה יוֹשׁ ְ ֶ ה א יה ס ה מ ִ מוֹר שׁ ה ל ֶ ַ ָ י־פ ַ ֵ ּ יוֹשׁ ם יוֹשׁ ּ שׁ ְ ּ ֶ ִ וֹנ שׁ ֻ ח מ ֲ ּ צ ל־במותי ]ב ֶ הו כ ַ ֲ י פ ַ ימ ַ ִ ּ ָ ה ק שׁ וֹ׃ ֶ ֶ י א ֻ ּ ָ ָ ּ ֳ ּ ּ ּ י ל ל כ ֶ ה א ַ ד׃ ידו ּ ַ כ ים כ קֹב כ ָ ב ַ ֵ שׁ ַ ד כ ּ ּ ְ ּ ב ְ ד ֶ מ ֶ ג ר ע ב ֶ ַ ָ ל[ ו ה יֹצ ּ ִ ּ ב ֵ ָ ים ת ב ְ ל ָ וֹת ּ ּ ִ יוֹשׁ טוֹב יוֹשׁ ָ ע ָ ָ דֹנ רוֹן ל ב ג מ ת ְ ֶ ת צ ָ מ ע יה ּ ִ ּ ְ ו ח ַ ָ ֲ ָ ְ ֶ ר ה ע י ֲ פ ע ָ ה ו ָ ַ ּ ְ י א יה ְ ֵ ֶ י ם ע ָ יוֹת י יוֹת ִ ְ י י ה ה שׁ ת שׁ ֲ נ ֵ ת צ ו ר י ַ ָ ב ת ָ ַ ְ ָ א ְ ע א מ ֲ ָ א ב ם ה ִ ה ו ּ י ע ָ ַ מ ַ ר־ח ּ ֶ ְ כ ַ ִ כ ָ א ִ נוֹת י ְ נ ָ ַ ּ י[ א כוֹ א הו ָ שׂ ָ ז י ה ִ ּ רו מ ֶ ִ ֲ נ ֶ ק ע שׁ ד ָ ּ פ ְ יל י ה שׁ ָ ָ ע ָ ר ֶ יו ו ָ ה א ם א ּ ִ ָ ל־זֹאת ו ֵ ְ ָ שׂ יה ָ נ ד־י רוֹם א ת מ ָ ֶ ְ י־ב ָ א ְ ֶ ִ ה ִ ֲ ֱ לוֹא י ּ ָ ָ ִ ב יל ח ַ ל־א ּ ָ ץ׃ ו ל ד ֶ ן מ ה ב ֲ

קֹב ה תוֹ׃ ע ַ ְ ל־ת ה ע שׁ ים שׁ ִ א ּ ה׃ רו ֶ ִ ְ ע ד־א ֶ ְ ְ ח שׁ יב ֶ ת ּ כ ְ רו ְ יר ע ָ ס ָ ל־מ ב ִ ַ ּ שׂ ז י שׁ ְ נ ּ ִם׃ ַ ֵ ְ ָ ר התפלשתי ]ה מ ּ ְ ת ּ ֶ ִ ט נּ ָ ֶ ר ְ שׁ כ כ קוֹמוֹ ו ַ פ ְ ָ ִ ָ ה א ֶ נ ָ ח ַ ה ל ָ ּ מ י יסֹד ַ יכ ו י ְ ִ ּ ל ַ ק

ת י א ַ ה ע ָ ז ָ רוֹת כ ְ ָ ֶ מ ּ ל ְ

ַ ם ל ִ ר ִ ִ מ ְ ָ מ יה ְ ּ י יל ר פ ֵ ב ֵ ָ ּ ה ק ה מ יה ּ ל־שׁ ֹמ ָ ִ ָ ִם׃ ָ ָ ד ב ֵ ּ ע ּ כ י י ט ְ י־י ְ ל ָ ב ַ ים ִם׃ ד־י ְ שׁ ן זוֹנ ּ ְ ֲ ֵ ץ ס ם ָ ה־בֹשׁ ד ו ִ ר ֵ שׁ לוֹא ֹמ ִ ּ א ּ ע ּ ֶ ָ שׂ ֵ ה כ ַ ֹאות ב ה ה ְ פ ג ד ֲ ּ ה ית הו ַ רוֹן י ר ֶ ָ ּ י ד א ית ָ ר ל ד ד ְ י׃[ ד ר רוֹן ת ך ית ָ ּ פו דֹנ

ה׃

ה ע י

, , And the , And the what ? . What is the . But Shomron But of Yehuda Into a ruin in open country, a ruin country, in open Into But Yerushalayim But in the reigns of Kings Yotam of Kings in the reigns . . 1 , It has spread to the gate of my people, To To people, of my the gate to spread has , It /Micah Though the inhabitants of Maroth Hoped for good, for Hoped Maroth of the inhabitants Though the gate Upon descended Hashem from disaster Yet of Yerushalayim Yerushalayim Beth- Refrain weeping; from In it not in Gath, Tell [head]. your over dust Strew leaphrah, Did not the of Shaphir! on, inhabitants Pass forth in go naked to Have of Zaanan inhabitants It will in Beth-ezel— lamentation is There shame? its supportwithdraw you. from Because of this I willBecause wail; and lament I will go I will naked! and stripped as the as sadly lament jackals, As mournfully as the ostriches. reached has It is wound incurable, her For Yehuda All her sculptured images shall be smashed, And shall smashed, be images All sculptured her be burned, And I will wealth a make all harlot’s her amassed they were of all idols, For her heap waste And they shall become for harlotry, fees from again. fees harlots’ , and Chizkiyahu, and Achaz I willSo turn Shomron The mountains shall melt under Him the And shall under melt The mountains Like valleys Like open— burst wax fire, before down a slope. cascading water of YaakovAll this is for the transgression I will vineyards; For for planting ground Into her the valley And lay into stones her tumble bare. foundations Morashtite, who prophesied concerning Shomron concerning who prophesied Morashtite, Yerushalayim and allearth, O and heed, Give all peoples, Listen, you My accuser— be your God it holds; And my let abode. holy His from Lord forth dwelling- coming His from Is Hashem lo! For will the He stride down and Upon come place, earth. of the heights of Yisrael of the House for the sins that came to Micha to came that Hashem of word The of Yaakovtransgression shrines of Yehuda Micha Chapter 2 1 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 10 11 12 1 85

Twelve Prophets מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ב Chapter 2

יג ְרתֹם ַה ֶּמְר ָּכ ָבה ָלֶר ֶכשׁ יוֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ָל ִכישׁ Hitch the steeds to the chariot, Inhabitant of 13 ֵראשׁ ִ ית ַח ָּטאת ִהיא ְל ַב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ִּכ ָי־ב ְך ;Lachish! It is the beginning Of Fair Tzion’s guilt ִנ ְמ ְצ ּאו ִּפשׁ ְ ֵעי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ !Yisrael’s transgressions Can be traced to you r’-TOM ha-mer-ka-VAH la-RE-khesh yo-SHE-vet la-KHEESH ray-SHEET kha- TAT HEE l’-vat tzi-YON kee VAKH nim-tz’-U pish-AY yis-ra-AYL יד ָל ֵכן ִּת ְּת ִני שׁ ִ ּל ּו ִחים ַעל ֶמוֹרשׁ ֶ ת ַּגת ָּב ֵּתי -Truly, you must give a farewell gift To Moresheth 14 ַא ְכִזיב ְל ַא ְכָזב ְל ַמ ְל ֵכי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ gath. The houses of Achzib are To the kings of Yisrael Like a spring that fails. טו עֹד ַה ּיֵֹרשׁ ָא ִבי ָל ְך יוֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ָמֵרשׁ ָ ה ַעד־ A dispossessor will I bring to you Who dwell in 15 ֲע ֻ ּד ָּלם ָיבוֹא ְּכבוֹד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Mareshah; At Adulam the glory Of Yisrael shall set טז ָקְר ִחי ָו ִ ּגֹזי ַע ְּל־ב ֵני ַּת ֲע ּנו ָגִי ְך ַהְר ִח ִבי Shear off your hair and make yourself bald For the 16 ָקְר ָח ֵת ְך ַּכ ֶנּשׁ ֶ ר ִּכי ָג ּלו ִמ ֵּמ ְך׃ children you once delighted in; Make yourself as bald as a vulture, For they have been banished from you. Twelve Prophets א הוֹי חֹשׁ ְ ֵב ָי־אֶון ּו ֲפֹע ֵלי ָרע ַעל־ Ah, those who plan iniquity And design evil on 1 2 ב ִמשׁ ְ ְּכ ָבוֹתם ְּבאוֹר ַה ּב ֶֹקר ַי ֲע ּשׂו ָה ִּכי their beds; When morning dawns, they do it, For ֶישׁ ְ־ל ֵאל ָי ָדם׃ .they have the power ב ְו ָח ְמ ּדו ָשׂדוֹת ְו ָגָז ּלו ּו ָב ִּתים ְו ָנ ָשׂ ּאו They covet fields, and seize them; Houses, and take 2 ְו ָעשׁ ְ ּקו ֶּג ֶבר ּו ֵביתוֹ ְו ִאישׁ ְו ַנ ֲח ָלתוֹ׃ them away. They defraud men of their homes, And people of their land. ג ָל ֵכן ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ִה ְנ ִני חֹשׁ ֵ ב ַעל־ Assuredly, thus said Hashem: I am planning such 3 ַה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפ ָחה ַה ּזֹאת ָר ָעה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־ a misfortune against this clan that you will not be ָת ִמישׁ ּו ִמשָּׁ ם ַצְּו ֵארֹת ֶיכם ְולֹא ֵת ְל ּכו able to free your necks from it. You will not be able ָרוֹמה ִּכי ֵעת ָר ָעה ִהיא׃ .to walk erect; it will be such a time of disaster ד ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִי ָּשׂא ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ָמשׁ ָ ל ְו ָנ ָהה ְנ ִהי In that day, One shall recite a poem about you, And 4 ִנ ְהָיה ָא ַמר שׁ ָ דוֹד ְנשׁ ַ ֻ ּד ּנו ֵח ֶלק ַע ִּמי ָי ִמיר utter a bitter lament, And shall say: “My people’s ֵא ְיך ָי ִמישׁ ִלי ְלשׁ ֵוֹבב ָשׂ ֵד ּינו ְי ַח ֵּלק׃ portion changes hands; How it slips away from me! Our field is allotted to a rebel. We are utterly ravaged.” ה ָל ֵכן ִלֹא־י ְהֶיה ְל ָך ַמשׁ ְ ִל ְיך ֶח ֶבל ְּב ָגוֹרל Truly, none of you Shall cast a lot cord In the 5 ִּב ְק ַהל ְי ָהֹוה׃ !assembly of Hashem ו ַא ַּל־ת ִּט ּפו ַי ִּט ּיפון ַלֹא־י ִּט ּפו ָל ֵא ֶּלה לֹא Stop preaching!” they preach. “That’s no way to“ 6 ִי ַּסג ְּכ ִל ּמוֹת׃ .[preach; Shame shall not overtake [us

1:13 Inhabitant of Lachish Micha tells the in- ished by Sennacherib, king of the Assyrians, during his habitants of Lachish to prepare to flee the campaign to capture Yerushalayim and conquer the oncoming enemy, and states that this onslaught will entire kingdom during the reign of King Chizkiyahu. be the beginning of Yehuda’s downfall. Lachish, located Today, excavations at Lachish have revealed the largest thirty miles southwest of Yerushalayim, was fortified by siege ramp discovered in the Middle East, as well as the Rechovam (II Chronicles 11:5-12), and was the southern largest Iron Age structure discovered in the Land of Assyrian siege ramp kingdom’s second largest city. Its location was strategic, Israel. Predicting the destruction of this large and pow- at Tel Lachish as it guarded the mountain pass from the southern erful city, Micha mocks the Israelites’ trust in their coastal plain to Yerushalayim and the interior of the horses and military prowess instead of Hashem’s protec- kingdom of Yehuda. Lachish was captured and demol- tion.

86 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ג Chapter 3

ז ֶה ָא ּמור ֵּב ַית־י ֲעקֹב ֲה ָק ַצר ּרו ַח ְי ָהֹוה Is the House of Yaakov condemned? Is Hashem’s 7 ִא ֵם־א ֶּלה ַמ ֲע ָל ָליו ֲהלוֹא ְד ָבַרי ֵי ִיט ּיבו ,patience short? Is such His practice?” To be sure ִעם ַהָּישׁ ָ ר ֵהוֹל ְך׃ My words are friendly To those who walk in rectitude; he-a-MUR bayt ya-a-KOV ha-ka-TZAR RU-akh a-do-NAI im AY-leh ma-a-la-LAV ha-LO d’-va-RAI yay-TEE-vu IM ha-ya-SHAR ho-LAYKH ח ְו ֶא ְת ּמול ַע ִּמי ְל ֵאוֹיב ְי ֵקוֹמם ִמ ּמ ּול But an enemy arises against My people. You 8 ַשׂ ְל ָמה ֶא ֶדר ַּת ְפשׁ ִ ּטון ֵמ ְעֹבִרים ֶּב ַטח strip the mantle with the cloak Off such as pass שׁ ּו ֵבי ִמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ .unsuspecting, Who are turned away from war ט ְנשׁ ֵ י ַע ִּמי ְּת ָגְרשׁ ּון ִמ ֵּבית ַּת ֲע ֻנ ֶג ָיה ֵמ ַעל You drive the women of My people away From 9 ָעֹל ֶל ָיה ִּת ְק ּחו ֲה ָדִרי ְל ָעוֹלם׃ their pleasant homes; You deprive their infants Of My glory forever. י ּקו ּמו ּו ְל ּכו ִּכי לֹא־זֹאת ַה ְּמ ּנו ָחה ַּב ֲע ּבור Up and depart! This is no resting place Because of 10 ָט ְמ ָאה ְּת ַח ֵּבל ְו ֶח ֶבל ִנ ְמָרץ׃ .your] defilement. Terrible destruction shall befall] יא ְ ָ If a man were to go about uttering Windy, baseless 11 ּלו ִ־אישׁ ֵהֹלך ּרו ַח ָושׁ ֶ ֶקר ִּכֵ ּזב ַא ִּטף ְלך Twelve Prophets ַלַּיִין ְו ַלשֵּׁ ָכר ְו ָהָיה ַמ ִּטיף ָה ָעם ַהֶ ּזה׃ falsehoods: “I’ll preach to you in favor of wine and liquor”— He would be a preacher [acceptable] to that people. יב ָאסֹף ֶא ֱאסֹף ַי ֲעקֹב ֻּכ ָּל ְך ַק ֵּבץ ֲא ַק ֵּבץ I will assemble Yaakov, all of you; I will bring 12 שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַי ַחד ֲא ִשׂ ֶימ ּנּו ְּכצֹאן together the remnant of Yisrael; I will make them ָּב ְצָרה ְּכ ֵע ֶדר ְּב ְתוֹך ַה ָ ּד ְברוֹ ְּת ִה ֶימ ָנה all like sheep of Bozrah, Like a flock inside its ֵמ ָא ָדם׃ .pen— They will be noisy with people יג ָע ָלה ַה ּפֵֹרץ ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם ָּפְר ּצו ַוַּי ֲע ּבֹרו שׁ ַ ַער One who makes a breach Goes before them; They 13 ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו בוֹ ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ַמ ְל ָּכם ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם ַו ָיהֹוה enlarge it to a gate And leave by it. Their king ְּברֹאשׁ ָ ם׃ .marches before them, Hashem at their head א ָו ַאֹמר שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ָ־נא ָראשׁ ֵ י ַי ֲעקֹב ּו ְק ִצ ֵיני I said: Listen, you rulers of Yaakov, You chiefs of 1 3 ג ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲהלוֹא ָל ֶכם ָל ַד ַעת ֶאת־ the House of Yisrael! For you ought to know what ַ ה ּ ִ מ שׁ ְ ּ ָ פ ט ׃ ,is right ב ְשֹׂנ ֵאי טוֹב ְו ֲאֹה ֵבי רעה ָ]רע[ ּגְֹז ֵלי ָעוֹרם .But you hate good and love evil 2 ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ּושׁ ְ ֵאָרם ֵמ ַעל ַע ְצ ָמוֹתם׃ ג ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ְכ ּלו שׁ ְ ֵאר ַע ִּמי ְו ָעוֹרם ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם You have devoured My people’s flesh; You have flayed 3 ִה ְפשׁ ִ ּיטו ְו ֶא ַת־ע ְצ ֵמֹת ֶיהם ִּפ ֵּצ ּחו ּו ָפְר ּשׂו the skin off them, And their flesh off their bones. And ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ִּסיר ּו ְכ ָב ָשׂר ְּב ְתוֹך ַק ָּל ַחת׃ after tearing their skins off them, And their flesh off their bones,* And breaking their bones to bits, You have cut it up as into a pot, Like meat in a caldron.

* “And after tearing their skins off them, And their flesh off their bones” brought down from verse 2 for clarity

2:7 To be sure, My words are friendly to those who walk not heed this warning, He will punish them and exile in rectitude Micha answers the false prophets who them from the Land of Israel, which cannot tolerate evil attempt to quiet his warnings. They claim that Hashem’s behavior. In verse 12, however, Micha promises that once patience is forever, and that since Israel is God’s people, the people have been punished, they will be returned they will never come to harm. Micha explains that for to the Land of Israel from all the places of their exile, God’s blessings to rest on the people, they must “walk and placed under God’s protection like a flock of sheep in rectitude,” and not on the crooked path. If they do safe in its pen.

87 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ג Chapter 3

ד ָאז ִיְז ֲע ּקו ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ְולֹא ַי ֲע ֶנה ָאוֹתם Someday they shall cry out to Hashem, But He will 4 ְוַי ְס ֵּתר ָּפ ָניו ֵמ ֶהם ָּב ֵעת ַה ִהיא ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר not answer them; At that time He will hide His face ֵהֵר ּעו ַמ ַע ְל ֵל ֶיהם׃ from them, In accordance with the wrongs they have done. ה ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַע ַל־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ַה ַּמ ְת ִעים Thus saidHashem to the Neviim Who lead My 5 ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ַהנֹּשׁ ְ ִכים ְּבשׁ ִ ֵנּ ֶיהם ְו ָקְר ּאו people astray, Who cry “Peace!” When they have שׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִלֹא־י ֵּתן ַע ִּל־פ ֶיהם ְו ִק ְ ּדשׁ ּו something to chew, But launch a war on him Who ָע ָליו ִמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ :fails to fill their mouths ו ָל ֵכן ַלְי ָלה ָל ֶכם ֵמ ָחזוֹן ְו ָחשׁ ְ ָכה ָל ֶכם Assuredly, It shall be night for you So that you 6 ִמ ְּקסֹם ּו ָב ָאה ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ַע ַל־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים cannot prophesy, And it shall be dark for you So ְו ָק ַדר ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַה ּיוֹם׃ that you cannot divine; The sun shall set on the Neviim, And the day shall be darkened for them. ז ּובֹשׁ ּו ַה ִחֹזים ְו ָח ְפ ּרו ַה ּק ְֹס ִמים ְו ָע ּטו ַעל־ The seers shall be shamed And the diviners 7 ָשׂ ָפם ֻּכ ָּלם ִּכי ֵאין ַמ ֲע ֵנה ֱא ִלֹהים׃ ,confounded; They shall cover their upper lips Because no response comes from Hashem. Twelve Prophets ח ְו ּאו ָלם ָא ִנֹכי ָמ ֵל ִאתי ַכֹח ֶא ּת־רו ַח ְי ָהֹוה But I, I am filled with strength by the spirit of 8 ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּו ְג ּבוָרה ְל ַה ִּגיד ְלַי ֲעקֹב ִּפשׁ ְ עוֹ Hashem, And with judgment and courage, To ּו ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַח ָּטאתוֹ׃ declare to Yaakov his transgressions And to Yisrael his sin. ט שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ָ־נא זֹאת ָראשׁ ֵ י ֵּבית ַי ֲעקֹב Hear this, you rulers of the House of Yaakov, You 9 ּו ְק ִצ ֵיני ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ֲמ ַת ֲע ִבים ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט chiefs of the House of Yisrael, Who detest justice ְו ֵאת ָּכ ַל־הְישׁ ָ ָרה ְי ַע ֵּקשׁ ּו׃ ,And make crooked all that is straight י ּב ֶֹנה ִצ ּיוֹן ְּב ָד ִמים ִו ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְּב ַעְו ָלה׃ Who build Tzion with crime, Yerushalayim with 10 iniquity! bo-NEH tzi-YON b’-da-MEEM vee-ru-sha-LA-im b’-av-LAH יא ָראשׁ ֶ ָיה ְּבשׁ ַֹחד ִישׁ ְ ּפ ֹּטו ְו ֲכֹה ֶנ ָיה ִּב ְמ ִחיר Her rulers judge for gifts, HerKohanim give rulings 11 ּיוֹרו ּו ְנ ִב ֶיא ָיה ְּב ֶכ ֶסף ִי ְק ּסֹמו ְו ַע ְל־י ָהֹוה for a fee, And her Neviim divine for pay; Yet they ִישָּׁ ֵע ּנו ֵלאמֹר ֲהלוֹא ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ִקְר ֵּב ּנו לֹא־ ;rely upon Hashem, saying, “Hashem is in our midst ָתבוֹא ָע ֵל ּינו ָר ָעה׃ ”.No calamity shall overtake us יב ָל ֵכן ִּב ְג ַל ְל ֶכם ִצ ּיוֹן ָשׂ ֶדה ֵת ָחֵרשׁ Assuredly, because of you Tzion shall be plowed 12 ִו ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִעִּיין ִּת ְהֶיה ְו ַהר ַה ַּבִית ְל ָבמוֹת as a field, AndYerushalayim shall become heaps of ָי ַער׃ .ruins, And the Har Habayit A shrine in the woods

3:10 Who build Tzion with crime In the eighth century landowners. Micha describes the sickness: “Who build BCE, wealthy landowners and traders began to build Tzion with crime, Yerushalayim with iniquity!”, and his lavishes mansions, summer and winter houses in the contemporary Yeshayahu described the cure: “Tzion shall cities. They did this with wealth they had acquired be saved in the judgment; Her repentant ones, in the through crime and dishonesty, by oppressing the retribution” (Isaiah. 1:27). poor and expropriating the properties of smaller

88 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ד Chapter 4

א ְו ָהָיה ְּב ַא ֲחִרית ַהָּי ִמים ִי ְהֶיה ַהר ֵּבית־ In the days to come, The Mount ofHashem ’s House 1 4 ד ְי ָהֹוה ָנכוֹן ְּברֹאשׁ ֶה ָהִרים ְו ִנ ָּשׂא ּהוא shall stand Firm above the mountains; And it shall ִמ ְּג ָבעוֹת ְו ָנ ֲה ּרו ָע ָליו ַע ִּמים׃ tower above the hills. The peoples shall gaze on it with joy, ב ְו ָה ְל ּכו ּג ִוֹים ַר ִּבים ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ְל ּכו ְו ַנ ֲע ֶלה And the many nations shall go and shall 2 ֶא ַל־ה ְר־י ָהֹוה ְו ֶא ֵּל־בית ֱא ֵלֹהי ַי ֲעקֹב say:“Come,Let us go up to the Mount of ְו ֵיוֹר ּנו ִמ ְ ּדָר ָכיו ְו ֵנ ְל ָכה ְּב ְאֹר ָחֹתיו Hashem,To the House of the God of Yaakov;That ִּכי ִמ ִּצ ּיוֹן ֵּת ֵצא ָתוֹרה ּו ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה He may instruct us in His ways,And that we may ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ walk in His paths.”For instruction shall come forth from Tzion,The word ofHashem from Yerushalayim. ג ְושׁ ָ ַפט ֵּבין ַע ִּמים ַר ִּבים ְו ִהוֹכ ַיח ְל ִגוֹים Thus He will judge among the many peoples, And 3 ֲע ֻצ ִמים ַע ָד־רחוֹק ְו ִכ ְּת ּתו ַחְר ֵבֹת ֶיהם arbitrate for the multitude of nations, However ְל ִא ִּתים ַו ֲח ִנ ֵיתֹת ֶיהם ְל ַמְז ֵמרוֹת לֹא־ distant; And they shall beat their swords into ִי ְשׂ ּאו ּגוֹי ֶא ּל־גוֹי ֶחֶרב ְו ִלֹא־י ְל ְמ ּדון עוֹד .plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks ִמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ ;Nation shall not take up Sword against nation Twelve Prophets They shall never again know war; ד ְוָישׁ ְ ּבו ִאישׁ ַּת ַחת ַּג ְפנוֹ ְו ַת ַחת ְּת ֵא ָנתוֹ But every man shall sit Under his grapevine or fig 4 ְו ֵאין ַמ ֲחִריד ִּכ ִי־פי ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִ ּד ֵּבר׃ tree With no one to disturb him. For it was God the lord of Hosts who spoke. v’-ya-sh’-VU EESH TA-khat gaf-NO v’-TA-khat t’-ay-na-TO v’-AYN ma-kha-REED kee FEE a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT di-BAYR ה ִּכי ָּכ ָל־ה ַע ִּמים ֵי ְל ּכו ִאישׁ ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ֱא ָלֹהיו Though all the peoples walk Each in the names of 5 ַו ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו ֵנ ֵל ְך ְּבשׁ ֵ ְם־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ְל ָעוֹלם its gods, We will walk In the name of Hashem our ָו ֶעד׃ .God Forever and ever ו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְאֹס ָפה ַה ּצ ֵֹל ָעה In that day —declares Hashem— I will assemble 6 ְו ַה ִנּ ָ ּד ָחה ֲא ַק ֵּב ָצה ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲהֵר ִעֹתי׃ the lame [sheep] And will gather the outcast And those I have treated harshly; ז ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּתי ֶא ַת־ה ּצ ֵֹל ָעה ִלשׁ ְ ֵאִרית And I will turn the lame into a remnant And the 7 ְו ַה ַנּ ֲה ָל ָאה ְלגוֹי ָע ּצום ּו ָמ ַל ְך ְי ָהֹוה expelled into a populous nation. And Hashem will ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְּב ַהר ִצ ּיוֹן ֵמ ַע ָּתה ְו ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ reign over them on Mount Tzion Now and for evermore. ח ְו ַא ָּתה ִמ ְג ַ ּד ֵל־ע ֶדר ֶעֹפל ַּב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ָע ֶד ָיך ,And you, O Migdal-eder, Outpost of Fair Tzion 8 ֵּת ֶאתה ּו ָב ָאה ַה ֶּמ ְמשׁ ָ ָלה ָהִראשׁ ָֹנה It shall come to you: The former monarchy shall ַמ ְמ ֶל ֶכת ְל ַב ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ . return— The kingship of FairYerushalayim

4:4 But every man shall sit under his grapevine find new flavor in theTorah he is studying (Eruvin 54). or fig tree Figs are one of the seven agricultural During King Shlomo’s reign, all of Israel lived in safety, species that are special products of the Land of Israel “everyone under his own vine and under his own fig (Deuteronomy 8:8). They are first mentioned in the tree” (I Kings 5:5), a phrase that indicates national Bible in the beginning of Sefer Bereishit (3:7), when prosperity and also demonstrates that, in biblical Adam and Chava cover their nakedness with fig leaves. tradition, the fig tree serves as a symbol of peace and The Talmud compares the Torah itself to a fig tree. Just tranquility. In this verse, the prophet Micha promises Fig tree in Jerusalem as one always finds figs on the tree since the fruits do the same peace and tranquility in the time of the not all ripen at the same time, similarly, one will always redemption.

89 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ה Chapter 5

ט ַע ָּתה ָל ָּמה ָתִר ִיעי ֵר ַע ֲה ֶמ ֶל ְך ֵא ָּין־ב ְך Now why do you utter such cries? Is there no king 9 ִא ֲם־יוֹע ֵצ ְך ָא ָבד ִּכ ֶי־ה ֱחִז ֵיק ְך ִחיל in you, Have your advisors perished, That you have ַ ּכ ּיוֹ ֵל ָדה׃ ?been seized by writhing Like a woman in travail י ּחו ִלי ָו ִגֹחי ַּב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ַּכ ּי ֵוֹל ָדה ִּכ ַי־ע ָּתה Writhe and scream, Fair Tzion, Like a woman in 10 ֵת ְצ ִאי ִמ ִּקְרָיה ְושׁ ָ ַכ ְנ ְּת ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ּו ָבאת travail! For now you must leave the city And dwell ַע ָּד־ב ֶבל שׁ ָ ם ִּת ָנּ ֵצ ִלי שׁ ָ ם ִי ְג ָא ֵל ְך ְי ָהֹוה .in the country— And you will reach Babylon ִמ ַּכף ְאֹי ָבִי ְך׃ There you shall be saved, ThereHashem will redeem you From the hands of your foes. יא ְו ַע ָּתה ֶנ ֶא ְס ּפו ָע ַלִי ְך ּג ִוֹים ַר ִּבים ָה ְאֹמִרים Indeed, many nations Have assembled against you 11 ֶּת ֱח ָנף ְו ַת ַחז ְּב ִצ ּיוֹן ֵע ֵינ ּינו׃ ”.Who think, “Let our eye Obscenely gaze on Tzion יב ְו ֵה ָּמה לֹא ָי ְד ּעו ַמ ְחשׁ ְ בוֹת ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא But they do not know The design ofHashem , They 12 ֵה ִב ּינו ֲע ָצתוֹ ִּכי ִק ְּב ָצם ֶּכ ָע ִמיר ּגְֹר ָנה׃ do not divine His intent: He has gathered them Like cut grain to the threshing floor. v’-HAY-mah LO ya-d’-U makh-sh’-VOT a-do-NAI v’-LO hay-VEE-nu a-tza-TO

KEE ki-b’-TZAM ke-a-MEER go-r’-NAH Twelve Prophets יג ּקו ִמי ָודוֹשׁ ִ י ַב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ִּכ ַי־קְר ֵנ ְך ָא ִשׂים Up and thresh, Fair Tzion! For I will give you horns 13 ַּבְרֶזל ּו ַפְר ַסֹתִי ְך ָא ִשׂים ְנ ּחושׁ ָ ה ַו ֲה ִד ּקוֹת of iron And provide you with hoofs of bronze, And ַע ִּמים ַר ִּבים ְו ַה ֲחַר ְמ ִּתי ַל ָיהֹוה ִּב ְצ ָעם you will crush the many peoples. You will devote ְו ֵח ָילם ַל ֲאדוֹן ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ their riches to Hashem, Their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. יד ַע ָּתה ִּת ְת ּג ְֹד ִדי ַב ְּת־ג ּדוד ָמצוֹר ָשׂם Now you gash yourself in grief. They have laid siege 14 ָע ֵל ּינו ַּבשֵּׁ ֶבט ַי ּכ ּו ַע ַל־ה ְּל ִחי ֵאת שׁ ֵֹפט to us; They strike the ruler ofYisrael On the cheek ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .with a staff א ְו ַא ָּתה ֵּב ֶית־ל ֶחם ֶא ְפָר ָתה ָצ ִעיר ִל ְהיוֹת And you, O Beit Lechem of Efrat, Least among the 1 5 ה ְּב ַא ְל ֵפי ְי ּהו ָדה ִמ ְּמ ָך ִלי ֵי ֵצא ִל ְהיוֹת clans of Yehuda, From you one shall come forth To מוֹשׁ ֵ ל ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ָמוֹצ ָאֹתיו ִמ ֶּק ֶדם rule Yisrael for Me— One whose origin is from of ִמ ֵימי ָעוֹלם׃ .old, From ancient times v’-a-TAH bayt LE-khem ef-RA-tah tza-EER lih-YOT b’-al-FAY y’-hu-DAH mi-m’- KHA LEE yay-TZAY lih-YOT mo-SHAYL b’-yis-ra-AYL u-mo-tza-o-TAV mi-KE- dem mee-MAY o-LAM

4:12 He has gathered them like cut grain to the threshing who will lead the people to victory. He is born in Beit בית לחם floor Though the Jewish people will eventually Lechem of Efrat in Yehuda. The city of Beit Lechem, which be taken into exile, Micha warns the nations of the means ‘House of Bread,’ sits five miles south of world not to celebrate too quickly, for they do not Yerushalayim. In this verse, Efrat is either another name understand Hashem’s ways. Those who dare attack for Beit Lechem or refers to the larger district in which it is the Holy Land and God’s holy city are gathered “like found. The present day city of Efrat was established in cut grain to the threshing floor,” God is the harvester, 1983, adjacent to the Beit Lechem, and is home to over and those nations who “gathered” to celebrate Israel’s 8,000 residents. Micha writes that Beit Lechem is in Yehuda, downfall will ultimately be “gathered” together to be to distinguish it from another city called Beit Lechem in destroyed, their joy becoming the basis for their own destruction. the north of the country in the territory of Zevulun (Joshua 19:15). The young one is described as “Least among the 5:1 And you, O Beit Lechem of Efrat At the clans of Yehuda,” but nevertheless, “he will deliver us from beginning of chapter 5, a young child appears Assyria” (verse 5). Micha’s allusion to King David, the

90 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ה Chapter 5

ב ָל ֵכן ִי ְּת ֵנם ַע ֵד־עת ֵיוֹל ָדה ָי ָל ָדה ְוֶי ֶתר Truly, He will leave them [helpless] Until she 2 ֶא ָחיו ְישׁ ּו ּבון ַע ְּל־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ who is to bear has borne; Then the rest of his countrymen Shall return to the children of Yisrael. ג ְו ָע ַמד ְוָר ָעה ְּבעֹז ְי ָהֹוה ִּב ְגאוֹן שׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה He shall stand and shepherd By the might of 3 ֱא ָלֹהיו ְוָישׁ ָ ּבו ִּכ ַי־ע ָּתה ִי ְג ַ ּדל ַע ַד־א ְפ ֵסי־ Hashem, By the power of the name Of Hashem his ָאֶרץ׃ God, And they shall dwell [secure]. For lo, he shall wax great To the ends of the earth; ד ְו ָהָיה ֶזה שׁ ָ לוֹם ַאשּׁ ּור ִּכ ָי־יבוֹא ְב ַאְר ֵצ ּנו And that shall afford safety. Should Assyria invade 4 ְו ִכי ִי ְד ְרֹך ְּב ַאְר ְמ ֵנֹת ּינו ַו ֲה ֵק ּמֹנו ָע ָליו our land And tread upon our fortresses, We will set שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ִרֹעים ּושׁ ְ ָמֹנה ְנ ִס ֵיכי ָא ָדם׃ ,up over it seven shepherds, Eight princes of men ה ְוָר ּעו ֶא ֶת־אֶרץ ַאשּׁ ּור ַּב ֶחֶרב ְו ֶא ֶת־אֶרץ Who will shepherd Assyria’s land with swords, The 5 ִנ ְמרֹד ִּב ְפ ָת ֶח ָיה ְו ִה ִּציל ֵמ ַאשּׁ ּור ִּכ ָי־יבוֹא land of Nimrod in its gates. Thus he will deliver ְב ַאְר ֵצ ּנו ְו ִכי ִי ְד ְרֹך ִּב ְג ּבו ֵל ּנו׃ us] From Assyria, should it invade our land, And] should it trample our country.

ו ְו ָהָיה שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ַי ֲעקֹב ְּב ֶקֶרב ַע ִּמים ַר ִּבים Twelve Prophets 6 The remnant ofYaakov shall be, In the midst of ְּכ ַטל ֵמ ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה ִּכְר ִב ִיבים ֲע ֵל ֵי־ע ֶשׂב the many peoples, Like dew from Hashem, Like ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְלֹא־י ַקֶּוה ְל ִאישׁ ְולֹא ְיַי ֵחל ִל ְב ֵני droplets on grass— Which do not look to any man ָא ָדם׃ .Nor place their hope in mortals ז ְו ָהָיה שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ַי ֲעקֹב ַּב ּג ִוֹים ְּב ֶקֶרב ַע ִּמים ,The remnant ofYaakov Shall be among the nations 7 ַר ִּבים ְּכ ַאְרֵיה ְּב ַב ֲהמוֹת ַי ַער ִּכ ְכ ִפיר In the midst of the many peoples, Like a lion ְּב ֶע ְדֵרי צֹאן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִאם ָע ַבר ְוָר ַמס ְו ָטַרף among beasts of the wild, Like a fierce lion among ְו ֵאין ַמ ִּציל׃ flocks of sheep, Which tramples wherever it goes And rends, with none to deliver. ח ָּתרֹם ָי ְד ָך ַע ָל־צֶר ָיך ְו ָכ ְל־אֹי ֶב ָיך ִי ָּכֵר ּתו׃ Your hand shall prevail over your foes, And all your 8 enemies shall be cut down! ט ְו ָהָיה ַב ּי ַוֹם־ה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי In that day —declares Hashem— I will destroy the 9 ּסו ֶס ָיך ִמ ִּקְר ֶּב ָך ְו ַה ֲא ַב ְד ִּתי ַמְר ְּכ ֶבֹת ָיך׃ .horses in your midst And wreck your chariots י ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ָעֵרי ַאְר ֶצ ָך ְו ָהַר ְס ִּתי ָּכל־ I will destroy the cities of your land And demolish 10 ִמ ְב ָצֶר ָיך׃ .all your fortresses יא ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ְכשׁ ָ ִפים ִמָּי ֶד ָך ּו ְמ ְעוֹנ ִנים לֹא I will destroy the sorcery you practice, And you 11 ִי ְה ּיו ָ־ל ְך׃ .shall have no more soothsayers יב ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ְפ ִס ֶיל ָיך ּו ַמ ֵּצ ֶבוֹת ָיך ִמ ִּקְר ֶּב ָך I will destroy your idols And the sacred pillars in 12 ְו ִלֹא־תשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחֶוה עוֹד ְל ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה ָי ֶד ָיך׃ your midst; And no more shall you bow down To the work of your hands. יג ְו ָנ ַתשׁ ְ ִּתי ֲאשׁ ֵ ֶיר ָיך ִמ ִּקְר ֶּב ָך ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַמ ְד ִּתי I will tear down the sacred posts in your midst And 13 ָעֶר ָיך׃ .destroy your cities יד ְו ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ְּב ַאף ּו ְב ֵח ָמה ָנ ָקם ֶא ַת־ה ּג ִוֹים In anger and wrath Will I wreak retribution On the 14 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא שׁ ָ ֵמ ּעו׃ .nations that have not obeyed

youngest of all his brothers who nevertheless brought this young lad will be a descendant of King David, son of salvation from Israel’s enemies, is unmistakable. Indeed, “Yishai of Beit Lechem” (I Samuel 16:1).

91 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ו Chapter 6

א שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ָ־נא ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־י ָהֹוה ֵאֹמר ּקום [Hear what Hashem is saying: Come, present [My 1 6 ו ִריב ֶא ֶת־ה ָהִרים ְו ִתשׁ ְ ַמ ְע ָנה ַה ְּג ָבעוֹת case before the mountains, And let the hills hear קוֹ ֶל ָך׃ .you pleading ב שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ָהִרים ֶא ִת־ריב ְי ָהֹוה ְו ָה ֵא ָת ִנים Hear, you mountains, the case of Hashem— You 2 ְמֹס ֵדי ָאֶרץ ִּכי ִריב ַל ָיהֹוה ִע ַם־ע ּמוֹ firm foundations of the earth! ForHashem has ְו ִע ִם־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִי ְתַו ָּכח׃ a case against His people, He has a suit against Yisrael. ג ַע ִּמי ֶמ ָה־ע ִשׂ ִיתי ְל ָך ּו ָמה ֶה ְל ֵא ִת ָיך ֲע ֵנה My people! What wrong have I done you? What“ 3 ִּבי׃ .hardship have I caused you? Testify against Me ד ִּכי ֶה ֱע ִל ִת ָיך ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ִמ ֵּבית In fact, I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I 4 ֲע ָב ִדים ְּפ ִד ִית ָיך ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ַלח ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ֶאת־ redeemed you from the house of bondage, And I מֹשׁ ֶ ה ַא ֲהרֹן ּו ִמְרָים׃ .sent before you Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam ה ַע ִּמי ְז ָכ ָר־נא ַמ ָּה־י ַעץ ָּב ָלק ֶמ ֶל ְך ָמוֹאב My people, Remember what Balak king of Moab“ 5 ּו ֶמ ָה־ע ָנה אֹתוֹ ִּב ְל ָעם ֶּב ְּן־בעוֹר ִמן־ Plotted against you, And how Balaam son of Beor Twelve Prophets ַהשִּׁ ִּטים ַע ַד־ה ִּג ְל ָּגל ְל ַמ ַען ַ ּד ַעת ִצ ְדקוֹת Responded to him. [Recall your passage] From ְי ָהֹוה׃ Shittim toGilgal — And you will recognize The gracious acts of Hashem.” ו ַּב ָּמה ֲא ַק ֵ ּדם ְי ָהֹוה ִא ַּכף ֵל ֵאלֹהי ָמרוֹם With what shall I approach Hashem, Do homage to 6 ַה ֲא ַק ְ ּד ֶמ ּנּו ְבעוֹלוֹת ַּב ֲע ָג ִלים ְּב ֵני שׁ ָ ָנה׃ Hashem on high? Shall I approach Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? ז ֲהִיְר ֶצה ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ַא ְל ֵפי ֵא ִילים ְּבִר ְבבוֹת ,Would Hashem be pleased with thousands of rams 7 ַנ ֲח ֵלי־שׁ ָ ֶמן ַה ֶא ֵּתן ְּב ִכוֹרי ִּפשׁ ְ ִעי ְּפִרי -With myriads of streams of oil? Shall I give my first ִב ְט ִני ַח ַּטאת ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י׃ born for my transgression, The fruit of my body for my sins? ח ִה ִּגיד ְל ָך ָא ָדם ַמ ּה־טוֹב ּו ָמ ְה־י ָהֹוה He has told you, O man, what is good, And what“ 8 ּד ֵוֹרשׁ ִמ ְּמ ָך ִּכי ִא ֲם־עשׂוֹת ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט Hashem requires of you: Only to do justice And ְו ַא ֲה ַבת ֶח ֶסד ְו ַה ְצ ֵנ ַע ֶל ֶכת ִע ֱם־א ֶלֹה ָיך׃ to love goodness, And to walk modestly with your God; hi-GEED l’-KHA a-DAM mah TOV u-mah a-do-NAI do-RAYSH mi-m’-KHA KEE im a-SOT mish-PAT v’-A-ha-vat KHE-sed v’-hatz-NAY-a LE-khet im e-lo-HE-kha ט קוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ָל ִעיר ִי ְקָרא ְו ּתושׁ ִ ָּיה ִיְר ֶאה !Then will your name achieve wisdom.” Hark 9 שׁ ְ ֶמ ָך שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ַמ ֶּטה ּו ִמי ְי ָע ָד ּה׃ Hashem Summons the city: Hear, O scepter; For who can direct her

6:8 Walk modestly with your God The people this verse, the Sages extol the virtues of modesty in all search for Hashem, earnestly but blindly, by areas of life, such as the importance of giving charity increasing their offerings and bringing more sacrifices. anonymously or dressing in clothing that conceals more Micha replies with the most sublime verse of his book, than reveals. In ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Israel, linking piety with ethics and righteousness with this verse is often quoted on signs that welcome tourists empathy. What God wants from man is that he act justly, but request that visitors abide by the sensitivities of the love kindness, and walk humbly with Hashem. Based on community by dressing modestly.

92 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ז Chapter 7

י עוֹד ַה ִאשׁ ֵּבית ָרשׁ ָ ע ְאֹצרוֹת ֶרשׁ ַ ע but you? Will I overlook, in the wicked man’s 10 ְו ֵא ַיפת ָרזוֹן ְז ּעו ָמה׃ house, The granaries of wickedness And the accursed short efah? יא ַה ֶאְז ֶּכה ְּב ְמֹאז ֵני ֶרשׁ ַ ע ּו ְב ִכיס ַא ְב ֵני Shall he be acquitted despite wicked balances And 11 ִמְר ָמה׃ —?a bag of fraudulent weights יב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲעשׁ ִ ֶיר ָיה ָמ ְל ּאו ָח ָמס ְויֹשׁ ְ ֶב ָיה Whose rich men are full of lawlessness, And whose 12 ִ ּד ְּב ּרו־שׁ ָ ֶקר ּו ְלשׁ ָוֹנם ְר ִמָּיה ְּב ִפ ֶיהם׃ inhabitants speak treachery, With tongues of deceit in their mouths. יג ְו ַג ֲם־א ִני ֶה ֱח ֵל ִיתי ַה ּכ ֶוֹת ָך ַהשׁ ְ ֵמם ַעל־ I, in turn, have beaten you sore, Have stunned 13 ַח ּט ֶֹאת ָך׃ :you] for your sins] יד ַא ָּתה ַתֹאכל ְולֹא ִת ְשׂ ָּבע ְוֶישׁ ְ ֲח ָך ְּב ִקְר ֶּב ָך You have been eating without getting your fill, And 14 ְו ַת ֵּסג ְולֹא ַת ְפ ִליט ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּת ַפ ֵּלט ַל ֶחֶרב there is a gnawing at your vitals; You have been ֶא ֵּתן׃ conceiving without bearing young, And what you bore I would deliver to the sword. Twelve Prophets טו ַא ָּתה ִתְזַרע ְולֹא ִת ְקצוֹר ַא ָּתה ִת ְד ְרֹך־ ;You have been sowing, but have nothing to reap 15 ַזִית ְו ָלֹא־ת ּסו ְך שׁ ֶ ֶמן ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ְולֹא ,You have trod olives, but have no oil for rubbing ִתשׁ ְ ֶּת ָּה־יִין׃ .And grapes but have no wine to drink טז ְוִישׁ ְ ַּת ֵּמר ֻח ּקוֹת ָע ְמִרי ְוכֹל ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה ֵבית־ Yet you have kept the laws of Omri, And all the 16 ַא ְח ָאב ַו ֵּת ְל ּכו ְּב ֲמֹע ָצוֹתם ְל ַמ ַען ִּת ִּתי practices of the House of Achav, And have followed ְאֹת ָך ְלשׁ ַ ָּמה ְויֹשׁ ְ ֶב ָיה ִלשׁ ְ ֵר ָקה ְו ֶחְר ַּפת what they devised. Therefore I will make you an ַע ִּמי ִּת ָּשׂ ּאו׃ object of horror And her inhabitants an object of hissing; And you shall bear the mockery of peoples. א ַא ְל ַלי ִלי ִּכי ָהִי ִיתי ְּכ ָא ְס ֵּפ ַי־קִיץ ְּכ ְעֹללֹת Woe is me! I am become like leavings of a fig 1 7 ז ָּב ִציר ֵא ֶין־אשׁ ְ ּכוֹל ֶל ֱאכוֹל ִּב ּכ ּוָרה ִאְּו ָתה ,harvest, Like gleanings when the vintage is over ַ נ ְ פ שׁ ִ י ׃ There is not a cluster to eat, Not a ripe fig I could desire. ב ָא ַבד ָח ִסיד ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ ְוָישׁ ָ ר ָּב ָא ָדם ָאִין The pious are vanished from the land, None 2 ֻּכ ָּלם ְל ָד ִמים ֶי ֱא ּרֹבו ִאישׁ ֶא ָת־א ִח ּיהו upright are left among men; All lie in wait to ָי ּצו ּדו ֵחֶרם׃ .commit crimes, One traps the other in his net ג ַע ָל־הַרע ַּכ ַּפִים ְל ֵה ִיטיב ַה ַּשׂר שׁ ֵֹאל They are eager to do evil: The magistrate makes 3 ְו ַהשּׁ ֵֹפט ַּבשׁ ִ ּל ּום ְו ַה ָּגדוֹל ּד ֵֹבר ַהַּות ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ demands, And the judge [judges] for a fee; The ּהוא ַוְי ַע ְּב ּתו ָה׃ .rich man makes his crooked plea, And they grant it ד ָטוֹבם ְּכ ֵח ֶדק ָישׁ ָ ר ִמ ְּמ ּסו ָכה יוֹם ְמ ַצ ֶּפ ָיך [The best of them is like a prickly shrub; The [most 4 ְּפ ֻק ָ ּד ְת ָך ָב ָאה ַע ָּתה ִת ְהֶיה ְמ ּבו ָכ ָתם׃ upright, worse than a barrier of thorns. On the day you waited for, your doom has come— Now their confusion shall come to pass. ה ַא ַּל־ת ֲא ִמ ּינו ְבֵר ַע ַא ִּל־ת ְב ְט ּחו ְּב ַא ּל ּוף Trust no friend, Rely on no intimate; Be guarded in 5 ִמשּׁ ֶֹכ ֶבת ֵח ֶיק ָך שׁ ְ מֹר ִּפ ְת ֵח ִי־פ ָיך׃ .speech With her who lies in your bosom ו ִּכ ֵי־בן ְמ ַנ ֵּבל ָאב ַּבת ָק ָמה ְב ִא ָּמ ּה ַּכ ָּלה For son spurns father, Daughter rises up against 6 ַּב ֲח ָמֹת ּה ְאֹי ֵבי ִאישׁ ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ֵביתוֹ׃ —mother, Daughter-in-law against mother-in-law A man’s own household Are his enemies.

93 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ז Chapter 7

ז ַו ֲא ִני ַּב ָיהֹוה ֲא ַצ ֶּפה ִאוֹח ָילה ֵל ֵאלֹהי Yet I will look to Hashem, I will wait for the God 7 ִישׁ ְ ִעי ִישׁ ְ ָמ ֵע ִני ֱא ָלֹהי׃ .who saves me, My Hashem will hear me ח ַא ִּל־ת ְשׂ ְמ ִחי ַאֹי ְב ִּתי ִלי ִּכי ָנ ַפ ְל ִּתי ָק ְמ ִּתי Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy! Though I 8 ִּכ ֵי־אשׁ ֵ ב ַּבחֹשׁ ֶ ְך ְי ָהֹוה אוֹר ִלי׃ ,have fallen, I rise again; Though I sit in darkness Hashem is my light. ט ַז ַעף ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָּשׂא ִּכי ָח ָט ִאתי לוֹ ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר I must bear the anger of Hashem, Since I have 9 ָיִריב ִר ִיבי ְו ָע ָשׂה ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ִטי ִיוֹצ ֵיא ִני ָלאוֹר sinned against Him, Until He champions my cause ֶאְר ֶאה ְּב ִצ ְד ָקתוֹ׃ And upholds my claim. He will let me out into the light; I will enjoy vindication by Him. י ְו ֵתֶרא ַאֹי ְב ִּתי ּו ְת ַכ ֶּס ָה ּבושׁ ָ ה ָה ְאֹמָרה When my enemy sees it, She shall be covered 10 ֵא ַלי ַא ּיוֹ ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ָלֹהִי ְך ֵע ַיני ִּתְר ֶא ָינּה ָּב ּה with shame, She who taunts me with “Where is ַע ָּתה ִּת ְהֶיה ְל ִמְר ָמס ְּכ ִטיט ּחוצוֹת׃ He, Hashem your God?” My eyes shall behold her [downfall]; Lo, she shall be for trampling Like mud in the streets.

Twelve Prophets יא יוֹם ִל ְבנוֹת ְּג ֵדָרִי ְך יוֹם ַה ּהוא ִיְר ַחק־חֹק׃ A day for mending your walls— That is a far-off 11 day. יב יוֹם ּהוא ְו ָע ֶד ָיך ָיבוֹא ְל ִמ ִנּי ַאשּׁ ּור ְו ָעֵרי This is rather a day when to you [Tramplers] will 12 ָמצוֹר ּו ְל ִמ ִנּי ָמצוֹר ְו ַע ָד־נ ָהר ְוָים ִמָּים come streaming From Assyria and the towns of ְו ַהר ָה ָהר׃ Egypt— From [every land from] Egypt to the Euphrates, From sea to sea and from mountain to mountain— יג ְו ָהְי ָתה ָה ָאֶרץ ִלשׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ַעל־יֹשׁ ְ ֶב ָיה —And your land shall become a desolation 13 ִמ ְּפִרי ַמ ַע ְל ֵל ֶיהם׃ Because of those who dwell in it— As the fruit of their misdeeds. יד ְר ֵעה ַע ְּמ ָך ְבשׁ ִ ְב ֶט ָך צֹאן ַנ ֲח ָל ֶת ָך שׁ ְֹכ ִני Oh, shepherd Your people with Your staff, Your 14 ְל ָב ָדד ַי ַער ְּב ְתוֹך ַּכְר ֶמל ִיְר ּעו ָבשׁ ָ ן very own flock. May they who dwell isolated In a ְו ִג ְל ָעד ִּכ ֵימי ָעוֹלם׃ woodland surrounded by farmland Graze Bashan and Gilad As in olden days. טו ִּכ ֵימי ֵצ ְאת ָך ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים ַאְר ֶא ּנּו I will show him wondrous deeds As in the days 15 ִנ ְפ ָלאוֹת׃ .when You sallied forth from the land of Egypt טז ִיְר ּאו ִגוֹים ְוֵיבֹשׁ ּו ִמ ּכֹל ְּג ּבוָר ָתם ָי ִשׂ ּימו Let nations behold and be ashamed Despite all 16 ָיד ַע ֶּל־פה ָאְז ֵנ ֶיהם ֶּת ֱחַרשׁ ְ ָנה׃ their might; Let them put hand to mouth; Let their ears be deafened! יז ְי ַל ֲח ּכו ָע ָפר ַּכ ָנּ ָחשׁ ְּכ ֲזֹח ֵלי ֶאֶרץ ִיְר ְּג ּזו Let them lick dust like snakes, Like crawling things 17 ִמ ִּמ ְס ְּג ֵרֹת ֶיהם ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ִי ְפ ָח ּדו on the ground! Let them come trembling out of ְוִיְר ּאו ִמ ֶּמ ָּך׃ their strongholds To Hashem our God; Let them fear and dread You!

94 מיכה Micha/Micah פרק ז Chapter 7

יח ִמ ֵי־אל ָּכ ָמוֹך ֵנֹשׂא ָעוׂן ְו ֵעֹבר ַע ֶּל־פשׁ ַ ע Who is a Hashem like You, Forgiving iniquity And 18 ִלשׁ ְ ֵאִרית ַנ ֲח ָלתוֹ ֶלֹא־ה ֱחִזיק ָל ַעד ַא ּפוֹ remitting transgression; Who has not maintained ִּכ ָי־ח ֵפץ ֶח ֶסד ּהוא׃ His wrath forever Against the remnant of His own people, Because He loves graciousness! mee AYL ka-MO-kha no-SAY a-VON v’-o-VAYR al PE-sha lish-ay-REET na-kha-la- TO lo he-khe-ZEEK la-AD a-PO kee kha-FAYTZ KHE-sed HU יט ָישׁ ּוב ְיַר ֲח ֵמ ּנו ִי ְכ ּבֹשׁ ֲע ֵוׂנֹת ּינו ְו ַתשׁ ְ ִל ְיך He will take us back in love; He will cover up our 19 ִּב ְמ ֻצלוֹת ָים ָּכ ַל־ח ּט ָֹאותם׃ iniquities, You will hurl all our sins Into the depths of the sea. כ ִּת ֵּתן ֱא ֶמת ְלַי ֲעקֹב ֶח ֶסד ְל ַא ְבָר ָהם You will keep faith with Yaakov, Loyalty to 20 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־נשׁ ְ ַּב ְע ָּת ַל ֲא ֵבֹת ּינו ִמ ֵימי ֶק ֶדם׃ Avraham, As You promised on oath to our fathers In days gone by. Twelve Prophets

7:18 Forgiving iniquity and remitting transgression also expresses his confidence in the people’s ability to Micha concludes his prophecies by declaring his belief repent and return. He is certain that in the future, they in God’s loyalty to His people and His land. This verse will be deserving of forgiveness and restoration to their echoes the thirteen attributes of mercy that God land. Hashem will trample the sins of Israel underfoot presented to Moshe after the sin of the golden calf (see and cast them into the sea, just as He cast Pharaoh’s Exodus 34:5-7). By recalling these attributes, the prophet chariots to the bottom of the sea so many years earlier.

95

Sefer Nachum The Book of Nahum

The seventh of theTrei Asar, Sefer Nachum (Nahum), begins, “A pronouncement on Nineveh: The book of the prophecy ofNachum the Elkoshite.” We know nothing about the person behind the prophecy, nor can we identify the location of . What this small book does, however, is concentrate upon the upcoming downfall of the Assyrian empire, which had brutally dominated the Middle East for over five centuries. The book provides a general outline of the period in which it was written; it mentions the Assyrian conquest of Thebes (No-Amon) in 663 BCE, and prophesies about the future ransacking of the Assyrian capital Nineveh, which fell in the combined assault of Babylonia and Media in 612 BCE. These references positionNachum in the middle of the seventh century BCE, a time when the emasculated kingdom of Yehuda barely enjoyed vassal status in the vast Assyrian empire. The empty fields of the exiled kingdom ofYisrael to the north of Yehuda served as a grim reminder of what awaited them should they similarly choose disobedience. Indeed, King Menashe, who ruled Yehuda at the time, behaved no better, religiously or morally, than the Assyrian overlords he served; the Bible relates that he was guilty of idolatry, licentiousness and murder (see II Kings Chapter 20). The message ofNachum’s prophecy is empowered by its single-mindedness: Uncompromising abhorrence of Israel’s perfidious foe. The first chapter describes God’s judgment — those who trust in Hashem will find shelter while the rest of the world trembles. The second chapter provides glimpses and flashes of Nineveh’s upcoming destruction. The final chapter explains the reason for Nineveh’s sudden fall.

97

נחום Nachum/Nahum פרק א Chapter 1

א ַמ ָּשׂא ִנ ְינֵוה ֵס ֶפר ֲחזוֹן ַנ ּחום ָה ֶא ְלקֹשׁ ִ י׃ A pronouncement on Nineveh: The Book of the 1 1 א .Prophecy of Nachum the Elkoshite ב ֵאל ַקנּוֹא ְו ֵנֹקם ְי ָהֹוה ֵנֹקם ְי ָהֹוה ּו ַב ַעל Hashem is a passionate, avenging Hashem; Hashem 2 ֵח ָמה ֵנֹקם ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָצָריו ְו ֵנוֹטר ּהוא is vengeful and fierce in wrath.Hashem takes ְל ְאֹי ָביו׃ vengeance on His enemies, He rages against His foes. ג ְי ָהֹוה ֶאֶר ְך ַא ַּפִים ּוגדול־]ו ְג ָדל־[ ּכ ַֹח ,Hashem is slow to anger and of great forbearance 3 ְו ַנ ֵּקה לֹא ְי ַנ ֶּקה ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ּסו ָפה ּו ִב ְשׂ ָעָרה But Hashem does not remit all punishment. He ַ ּדְר ּכוֹ ְו ָע ָנן ֲא ַבק ַר ְג ָליו׃ travels in whirlwind and storm, And clouds are the dust on His feet. ד ּג ֵוֹער ַּבָּים ַוַּי ְּבשׁ ֵ ּהו ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְנּ ָהרוֹת ֶה ֱחִריב He rebukes the sea and dries it up, And He makes 4 ֻא ְמ ַלל ָּבשׁ ָ ן ְו ַכְר ֶמל ּו ֶפַרח ְל ָבנוֹן ֻא ְמ ָלל׃ all rivers fail; Bashan and Carmel languish, And the blossoms of Lebanon wither. go-AYR ba-YAM va-ya-b’-SHAY-hu v’-khol ha-n’-ha-ROT he-khe-REEV um-LAL ba-SHAN v’-khar-MEL u-FE-rakh l’-va-NON um-LAL Twelve Prophets ה ָהִרים ָר ֲעשׁ ּו ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ְו ַה ְּג ָבעוֹת ִה ְת ָמֹג ּגו The mountains quake because of Him, And the 5 ַו ִּת ָּשׂא ָה ָאֶרץ ִמ ָּפ ָניו ְו ֵת ֵבל ְו ָכל־יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי hills melt. The earth heaves before Him, The world ָב ּה׃ .and all that dwell therein ו ִל ְפ ֵני ַז ְעמוֹ ִמי ַי ֲעמוֹד ּו ִמי ָי ּקום ַּב ֲחרוֹן Who can stand before His wrath? Who can resist 6 ַא ּפוֹ ֲח ָמתוֹ ִנ ְּת ָכה ָכ ֵאשׁ ְו ַה ֻּצִרים ִנ ְּת ּצו His fury? His anger pours out like fire, And rocks ִמ ֶּמנּ ּו׃ .are shattered because of Him ז טוֹב ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָמעוֹז ְּביוֹם ָצָרה ְו ֵיֹד ַע ֵחֹסי Hashem is good to [those who hope in Him], A 7 בוֹ ׃ haven on a day of distress; He is mindful of those who seek refuge in Him. ח ּו ְבשׁ ֶ ֶטף ֵעֹבר ָּכ ָלה ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ְמ ָקוֹמ ּה And with a sweeping flood He makes an end of her 8 ְו ְאֹי ָביו ְיַר ֶ ּדף־חֹשׁ ֶ ְך׃ .place, And chases His enemies into darkness ט ַמ ְּה־ת ַחשְּׁ ּבון ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ָּכ ָלה ּהוא ֶעֹשׂה Why will you plot against Hashem? He wreaks utter 9 ָלֹא־ת ּקום ַּפ ֲע ַמִים ָצָרה׃ !destruction: No adversary opposes Him twice י ִּכי ַע ִד־ס ִירים ְס ֻב ִכים ּו ְכ ָס ְב ָאם ְס ּבו ִאים For like men besotted with drink, They are burned 10 ֻא ְּכ ּלו ְּכ ַקשׁ ָי ֵבשׁ ָמ ֵלא׃ up like tangled thorns, Like straw that is thoroughly dried.

1:4 Bashan and Carmel languish Nachum begins his be immune to drought, will dry up before Hashem’s prophecy by addressing Nineveh, the capital of presence. Biblical Bashan was located on the east side Assyria. He depicts Hashem’s control over nature, and of the Jordan river in modern day Syria and the Israeli indicates that just as He rules over nature, He also rules Golan Heights. It was captured by the Israelites from over humanity and will punish Israel’s enemies. In this Og, king of Bashan, who came out against them as verse, Nachum first describes how Hashem dries up they prepared to enter the Land of Israel (Numbers Cows grazing in the Golan Heights, part the seas and the rivers, a reference to the miracles 21:33-35), and given as part of the inheritance of of biblical Bashan of the splitting of the Sea of Reeds (Exodus 15) and half the tribe of Menashe (Joshua 13:29-31). The land the crossing of the Yarden river (Joshua 3). He then of Bashan is known in the Bible for its rich pastures says that Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon, three of the (Jeremiah 50:19), oak forests (Isaiah 2:13) and majestic most luxuriant areas of the Holy Land, thought to mountains (Psalms 68:16).

99 נחום Nachum/Nahum פרק ב Chapter 2

יא ִמ ֵּמ ְך ָי ָצא חֹשׁ ֵ ב ַע ְל־י ָהֹוה ָר ָעה ֵיֹעץ The base plotter Who designed evil againstHashem 11 ְּב ִלָּי ַעל׃ .Has left you יב ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ִאם־שׁ ְ ֵל ִמים ְו ֵכן ַר ִּבים Thus saidHashem : “Even as they were full and 12 ְו ֵכן ָנ ּגֹז ּו ְו ָע ָבר ְו ִע ִנּ ִת ְך לֹא ֲא ַע ֵנּ ְך עוֹד׃ many, Even so are they over and gone; As surely as I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.” יג ְו ַע ָּתה ֶאשׁ ְ ּבֹר ֵמֹט ּהו ֵמ ָע ָלִי ְך ּו ְמוֹס ַרֹתִי ְך And now I will break off his yoke bar from you And 13 ֲא ַנ ֵּתק׃ .burst your cords apart יד ְו ִצָּוה ָע ֶל ָיך ְי ָהֹוה ִלֹא־יָ ּזַרע ִמשִּׁ ְמ ָך עוֹד Hashem has commanded concerning him: No 14 ִמ ֵּבית ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ַא ְכִרית ֶּפ ֶסל ּו ַמ ֵּס ָכה posterity shall continue your name. I will do away ָא ִשׂים ִק ְבֶר ָך ִּכי ַק ּל ָוֹת׃ with The carved and graven images In the temples of your gods; I will make your grave Accord with your worthlessness. א ִה ֵנּה ַע ֶל־ה ָהִרים ַר ְג ֵלי ְמ ַב ֵּשׂר ַמשׁ ְ ִמ ַיע Behold on the hills The footsteps of a herald 1 2 ב שׁ ָ לוֹם ָח ִּגי ְי ּהו ָדה ַח ַּגִי ְך שׁ ַ ְּל ִמי ְנ ָדָרִי ְך Announcing good fortune! “Celebrate your Twelve Prophets ִּכי לֹא ִיוֹסיף עוֹד ַלעבור־]ל ֲע ָבר־[ ָּב ְך festivals, O Yehuda, Fulfill your vows. Never again ְּב ִלַּי ַעל ֻּכ ּלֹה ִנ ְכָרת׃ shall scoundrels invade you, They have totally vanished.” ב ָע ָלה ֵמ ִפיץ ַע ָּל־פ ַנִי ְך ָנצוֹר ְמ ֻצָרה ַצ ֵּפה־ A shatterer has come up against you. Man the 2 ֶדֶר ְך ַחֵ ּזק ָמ ְת ַנִים ַא ֵּמץ ּכ ַֹח ְמאֹד׃ ,guard posts, Watch the road; Steady your loins Brace all your strength! ג ִּכי שׁ ָ ב ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְּת־גאוֹן ַי ֲעקֹב ִּכ ְגאוֹן For Hashem has restored the Pride of Yaakov As 3 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ְב ָק ּקום ּב ְֹק ִקים ּוְז ֵמֹר ֶיהם well as the Pride of Yisrael, Though marauders have שׁ ִ ֵ ח ת ּו ׃ .laid them waste And ravaged their branches ד ָמ ֵגן ִּג ּבֵֹר ּיהו ְמ ָא ָ ּדם ַא ְנשׁ ֵ ַי־חִיל ְמ ֻת ָּל ִעים His warriors’ shields are painted red, And the 4 ְּב ֵאשׁ ְּ־פ ָלדוֹת ָהֶר ֶכב ְּביוֹם ֲה ִכינוֹ soldiers are clothed in crimson; The chariots are ְו ַה ְּברֹשׁ ִ ים ָהְר ָע ּלו׃ like flaming torches, On the day they are made ready. The [arrows of] cypress wood are poisoned, ה ַּב ּחוצוֹת ִי ְת ְהוֹל ּלו ָהֶר ֶכב ִישׁ ְ ַּת ְקשׁ ְ ּקון ,The chariots dash about frenzied in the fields 5 ָּבְרחֹבוֹת ַמְר ֵא ֶיהן ַּכ ַּל ִּפ ִידם ַּכ ְּבָר ִקים They rush through the meadows. They appear like ְי ֵרוֹצ ּצו׃ .torches, They race like streaks of lightning ו ִיְז ּכֹר ַא ִ ּד ָיריו ִי ָּכשׁ ְ ּלו בהלכותם He commands his burly men; They stumble as 6 ַּ]ב ֲה ִל ָיכ ָתם[ ְי ַמ ֲה ּרו ָחוֹמ ָת ּה ְו ֻה ַכן they advance, They hasten up to her wall, Where ַה ּס ֵֹכ ְך׃ .wheeled shelters are set up ז שׁ ַ ֲעֵרי ַה ְנּ ָהרוֹת ִנ ְפ ָּת ּחו ְו ַה ֵה ָיכל ָנמוֹג׃ The floodgates are opened, And the palace is 7 deluged. sha-a-RAY ha-n’-ha-ROT nif-TA-khu v’-ha-hay-KHAL na-MOG

2:7 The floodgates are opened In this chapter, Nachum East. During their reign, the Assyrians exiled the ten envisions something that almost no one else at that time tribes of the northern kingdom of Yisrael, and ruled could dream of: The defeat of evil, and the downfall of over Yehuda as well. Their downfall is therefore greatly Assyria after five centuries of hegemony in the Middle anticipated by the Children of Israel. Nachum carefully

100 נחום Nachum/Nahum פרק ג Chapter 3

ח ְו ֻה ַּצב ֻּג ְּל ָתה ֲהֹע ָל ָתה ְו ַא ְמ ֶהֹת ָיה And Huzzab is exiled and carried away, While her 8 ְמ ַנ ֲהגוֹת ְּכקוֹל ִיוֹנים ְמ ְתֹפפֹת ַעל־ handmaidens escort [her] As with the voices of ִל ְב ֵב ֶהן׃ .doves, Beating their breasts ט ְו ִנ ְינֵוה ִכ ְבֵר ַכ ַת־מִים ִמ ֵימי ִהיא ְו ֵה ָּמה Nineveh has been like a [placid] pool of water 9 ָנ ִסים ִע ְמ ּדו ֲע ּמֹדו ְו ֵאין ַמ ְפ ֶנה׃ —”!From earliest times; Now they flee. “Stop! Stop But none can turn them back. י ּב ֹּז ּו ֶכ ֶסף ּב ֹּז ּו ָז ָהב ְו ֵאין ֵק ֶצה ַל ְּת ּכו ָנה Plunder silver! Plunder gold!” There is no limit to“ 10 ָּכבֹד ִמ ּכֹל ְּכ ִלי ֶח ְמ ָ ּדה׃ .the treasure; It is a hoard of all precious objects יא ּב ּו ָקה ּו ְמ ּבו ָקה ּו ְמ ֻב ָּל ָקה ְו ֵלב ָנ ֵמס ּו ִפק Desolation, devastation, and destruction! Spirits 11 ִּבְר ַּכִים ְו ַח ְל ָח ָלה ְּב ָכ ָל־מ ְת ַנִים ּו ְפ ֵני ֻכ ָּלם sink, Knees buckle, All loins tremble, All faces turn ִק ְּב ּצו ָפ ּארור׃ .ashen יב ַאֵּיה ְמעוֹן ֲאָריוֹת ּו ִמְר ֶעה ּהוא ַל ְּכ ִפִרים What has become of that lions’ den, That pasture 12 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ַל ְך ַאְרֵיה ָל ִביא שׁ ָ ם ּג ּור ַאְרֵיה ,of great beasts, Where lion and lion’s breed walked ְו ֵאין ַמ ֲחִריד׃ ?And lion’s cub—with none to disturb them Twelve Prophets יג ַאְרֵיה ֵטֹרף ְּב ֵדי ָגֹרוֹתיו ּו ְמ ַח ֵנּק Where is] the lion that tore victims for his cubs] 13 ְל ִל ְב ָאֹתיו ַוְי ַמ ֵּל ֶא־טֶרף ָחֹריו ּו ְמ ָעֹנֹתיו And strangled for his lionesses, And filled his lairs ְטֵר ָפה׃ ?with prey And his dens with mangled flesh יד ִה ְנ ִני ֵא ַלִי ְך ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ִה ְב ַעְר ִּתי I am going to deal with you —declares the lord 14 ֶב ָעשׁ ָ ן ִר ְכ ָּב ּה ּו ְכ ִפ ַירִי ְך ּת ַֹאכל ָחֶרב ,of Hosts: I will burn down her chariots in smoke ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ַטְר ֵּפ ְך ְו ִלֹא־ישָּׁ ַמע עוֹד And the sword shall devour your great beasts; I will קוֹל ַמ ְל ָא ֵכ ֵכה׃ stamp out your killings from the earth, And the sound of your messengers Shall be heard no more. א הוֹי ִעיר ָ ּד ִמים ֻּכ ָּל ּה ַּכ ַחשׁ ֶּפֶרק ְמ ֵל ָאה Ah, city of crime, Utterly treacherous, Full of 1 3 ג לֹא ָי ִמישׁ ָטֶרף׃ !violence, Where killing never stops ב קוֹל שׁ וֹט ְוקוֹל ַר ַעשׁ ָאוֹפן ְו ּסוס ּד ֵֹהר Crack of whip And rattle of wheel, Galloping steed 2 ּו ֶמְר ָּכ ָבה ְמַר ֵּק ָדה׃ !And bounding chariot ג ָּפָרשׁ ַמ ֲע ֶלה ְו ַל ַהב ֶחֶרב ּו ְבַרק ֲח ִנית ְורֹב Charging horsemen, Flashing swords, And 3 ָח ָלל ְו ֶכֹבד ָּפ ֶגר ְו ֵאין ֵק ֶצה ַל ְּגִוָּיה יכשלו glittering spears! Hosts of slain And heaps of ְ]ו ָכשׁ ְ ּלו[ ִּב ְגִוָּי ָתם׃ corpses, Dead bodies without number— They stumble over bodies. ד ֵמרֹב ְז ּנו ֵני ָזוֹנה ַטוֹבת ֵחן ַּב ֲע ַלת ְּכשׁ ָ ִפים ,Because of the countless harlotries of the harlot 4 ַה ּמ ֶֹכֶרת ּג ִוֹים ִּבְז ּנו ֶנ ָיה ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפחוֹת The winsome mistress of sorcery, Who ensnared ִ ּ ב ְ כ שׁ ָ ֶ פ י ָה ׃ nations with her harlotries And peoples with her sorcery,

records every detail of the capital’s collapse, from the of moats and channels protected the city, but the Greek colorful descriptions of the onrushing soldiers (verse historian Diodorus Siculus writes that when the invaders 4), to the chariots rushing through the streets (verse opened the river gates, the rushing waters washed away 5). In this verse, Nachum describes the opening of the several of the ramparts defending the city. Once the river gates and the collapse of the palace. Nineveh, the invading armies entered the outer wall of the city they capital of Assyria, was located on the east bank of the fought to capture the palace, which they eventually Tigris River, and the river Huser ran through it. A series burned.

101 נחום Nachum/Nahum פרק ג Chapter 3

ה ִה ְנ ִני ֵא ַלִי ְך ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ִג ֵּל ִיתי I am going to deal with you —declares the lord 5 שׁ ּו ַלִי ְך ַע ָּל־פ ָנִי ְך ְו ַהְר ֵא ִיתי ִגוֹים ַמ ְעֵר ְך of Hosts. I will lift up your skirts over your face ּו ַמ ְמ ָלכוֹת ְק ֵלוֹנ ְך׃ And display your nakedness to the nations And your shame to kingdoms. hi-n’-NEE ay-LA-yikh n’-UM a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT v’-gi-lay-TEE shu-LA-yikh al pa- NA-yikh v’-har-ay-TEE go-YIM ma-RAYKH u-mam-la-KHOT k’-lo-NAYKH ו ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַל ְכ ִּתי ָע ַלִי ְך שׁ ִ ֻּק ִצים ְו ִנ ַּב ְל ִּת ְיך I will throw loathsome things over you And 6 ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ְיך ְּכ ִרֹאי׃ .disfigure you And make a spectacle of you ז ְו ָהָיה ָכ ַל־רֹאִי ְך ִי ּדוֹד ִמ ֵּמ ְך ְו ָא ַמר שׁ ָ ְ ּד ָדה ,All who see you will recoil from you And will say 7 ִנ ְינֵוה ִמי ָי ּנוד ָל ּה ֵמ ַאִין ֲא ַב ֵּקשׁ ְמ ַנ ֲח ִמים Nineveh has been ravaged!” Who will console“ ָל ְך׃ her? Where shall I look for Anyone to comfort you? ח ֲה ֵת ְיט ִבי ִמנֹּא ָאמוֹן ַה ּיֹשׁ ְ ָבה ַּבְי ִאֹרים Were you any better than No-amon, Which sat 8 ַמִים ָס ִביב ָל ּה ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־חיל ָים ִמָּים by the Nile, Surrounded by water— Its rampart a Twelve Prophets חוֹ ָמ ָת ּה׃ ?river, Its wall consisting of sea ט ּכ ּושׁ ָע ְצ ָמה ּו ִמ ְצַרִים ְו ֵאין ֵק ֶצה ּפ ּוט Populous Nubia And teeming Egypt, Put and the 9 ְו ּלו ִבים ָה ּיו ְּב ֶעְזָר ֵת ְך׃ .Libyans— They were her helpers י ַּג ִם־היא ַל ּג ָֹלה ָה ְל ָכה ַבשֶּׁ ִבי ַּגם ָעֹל ֶל ָיה .Yet even she was exiled, She went into captivity 10 ְיֻר ְּטשׁ ּו ְּברֹאשׁ ָּכ ּל־חוצוֹת ְו ַע ִל־נ ְכ ַּב ֶ ּד ָיה Her babes, too, were dashed in pieces At every ַי ּד ּו ָגוֹרל ְו ָכ ְּל־ג ֶדוֹל ָיה ֻר ְּת ּקו ַבִ ּז ִּקים׃ ,street corner. Lots were cast for her honored men And all her nobles were bound in chains. יא ַּג ַם־א ְּת ִּתשׁ ְ ְּכִרי ְּת ִהי ַנ ֲע ָל ָמה ַּג ַם־א ְּת You too shall be drunk And utterly overcome; You 11 ְּת ַב ְקשׁ ִ י ָמעוֹז ֵמ ֵאוֹיב׃ .too shall seek A refuge from the enemy יב ָּכ ִל־מ ְב ָצַרִי ְך ְּת ֵא ִנים ִע ִּם־ב ּכ ּוִרים ִאם־ All your forts are fig trees With ripe fruit; If shaken 12 ִי ּנּוֹעו ְו ָנ ְפ ּלו ַע ִּל־פי ֵאוֹכל׃ .they will fall Into the mouths of devourers יג ִה ֵנּה ַע ֵּמ ְך ָנשׁ ִ ים ְּב ִקְר ֵּב ְך ְל ְאֹי ַבִי ְך Truly, the troops within you are women; The gates 13 ָּפ ַתוֹח ִנ ְפ ְּת ּחו שׁ ַ ֲעֵרי ַאְר ֵצ ְך ָא ְכ ָלה ֵאשׁ of your land have opened themselves To your ְּבִר ָיחִיך׃ .enemies; Fire has consumed your gate bars יד ֵמי ָמצוֹר שׁ ַ ֲא ִב ָי־ל ְך ַחְ ּז ִקי ִמ ְב ָצָרִי ְך ּב ִֹאי ;Draw water for the siege, Strengthen your forts 14 ַב ִּטיט ְוִר ְמ ִסי ַב ֶחֹמר ַה ֲחִז ִיקי ַמ ְל ֵּבן׃ Tread the clay, Trample the mud, Grasp the brick mold! טו שׁ ָ ם ּת ְֹאכ ֵל ְך ֵאשׁ ַּת ְכִר ֵית ְך ֶחֶרב ּת ְֹאכ ֵל ְך There fire will devour you, The sword will put 15 ַּכָּי ֶלק ִה ְת ַּכ ֵּבד ַּכֶּי ֶלק ִה ְת ַּכ ְּב ִדי ָּכ ַאְר ֶּבה׃ .an end to you; It will devour you like the grub Multiply like grubs, Multiply like locusts!

3:5 I am going to deal with you—declares the LORD of punishment traditionally given to unfaithful spouses Hosts In Nachum’s final prophecy against Nineveh, (Hosea 2:5). Assyria gained power by “seducing” Hashem addresses Assyria directly. The statement “I am smaller nations, enticing them into alliances and then going to deal with you” testifies that the nations set to breaking their word and enslaving them. Assyria acted fight against Assyria are only the agents of God, Who is unfaithfully, and will therefore receive the punishment ultimately controlling global events. The punishment of the unfaithful. Those who were humiliated by Assyria of uncovering the nakedness of Assyria mirrors the will now witness its downfall.

102 נחום Nachum/Nahum פרק ג Chapter 3

טז ִהְר ֵּבית ְרֹכ ַלִי ְך ִמ ּכ ְוֹכ ֵבי ַהשָּׁ ָמִים ֶי ֶלק You had more traders Than the sky has stars— The 16 ָּפשׁ ַ ט ַוָּיעֹף׃ .grubs cast their skins and fly away יז ִמ ְנּ ָזַרִי ְך ָּכ ַאְר ֶּבה ְו ַט ְפ ְסַרִי ְך ְּכגוֹב ּג ָֹבי Your guards were like locusts, Your marshals like 17 ַה ִחוֹנים ַּב ְּג ֵדרוֹת ְּביוֹם ָקָרה שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ָזְר ָחה piles of hoppers Which settle on the stone fences ְו ַנוֹדד ְו ַלֹא־נוֹדע ְמקוֹמוֹ ַאָּים׃ On a chilly day; When the sun comes out, they fly away, And where they are nobody knows. יח ָנ ּמו ֶרֹע ָיך ֶמ ֶל ְך ַאשּׁ ּור ִישׁ ְ ְּכ ּנו ַא ִ ּד ֶיר ָיך ;Your shepherds are slumbering, O king of Assyria 18 ָנפֹשׁ ּו ַע ְּמ ָך ַע ֶל־ה ָהִרים ְו ֵאין ְמ ַק ֵּבץ׃ Your sheepmasters are lying inert; Your people are scattered over the hills, And there is none to gather them. יט ֵא ֵּין־כ ָהה ְלשׁ ִ ְבֶר ָך ַנ ְח ָלה ַמ ָּכ ֶת ָך ּכֹל There is no healing for your injury; Your wound is 19 שׁ ְֹמ ֵעי שׁ ִ ְמ ֲע ָך ָּת ְק ּעו ַכף ָע ֶל ָיך ִּכי ַעל־ grievous. All who hear the news about you ,Clap ִמי ָלֹא־ע ְבָרה ָר ָע ְת ָך ָּת ִמיד׃ their hands over you. For who has not suffered From your constant malice? Twelve Prophets

103

Sefer Chavakuk The Book of Habakkuk

The eighth of theTrei Asar, Sefer Chavakuk (Habakkuk), is unique among the prophetic works of the Bible. In most works, the prophets convey God’s message to the people. Chavakuk, though, conveys the people’s questions to Hashem. He saw that evil remained unpunished and unbowed, and challenged Heaven for a response. God does respond, and challenges Chavakuk to wait and see how the divine plan plays out through history. Until then, “the righteous man is rewarded with life for his fidelity” (2:4). We know little about the prophet’s personal life. His name, from the Hebrew word to ‘embrace’, appears only here. Most scholars place him near the end of Assyria’s reign. That superpower, which brutally enslaved the Middle East for centuries, was about to collapse. Unlike his predecessor Nachum, who rejoiced in Assyria’s upcoming downfall, Chavakuk saw that an even crueler and more vicious foe, Babylonia, would arise and take its place. Some suggest that he prophesied after the shocking and tragic death of Yehuda’s most righteous king, Yoshiyahu, at the hands of the Egyptian invaders at Megiddo in 608 BCE. Ancient traditions identify Chavakuk as the son of the Shunamite woman who Elisha revived in Melachim II 4, and also as one who was called by angels to feed Daniel in the lion’s den. What this teaches is that his message was understood to span generations. Each era faces its own challenges to their beliefs, but we are called upon to trust in Hashem and His righteousness. This short book contains three sections; a two-part dialogue withHashem , a series of taunts towards Israel’s former oppressors, and a final request of God to overthrow all evil and injustice in the world.

105

חבקוק Chavakuk/Habakkuk פרק א Chapter 1 א א ַה ַּמ ָשׂא ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָחָזה ֲח ַב ּק ּוק ַה ָנּ ִביא׃ .The pronouncement made by theNavi Chavakuk 1 1 ב ַע ָד־א ָנה ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ִ ַּו ְע ִּתי ְולֹא ִתשׁ ְ ָמע How long, Hashem, shall I cry out And You not 2 ֶאְז ַעק ֵא ֶל ָיך ָח ָמס ְולֹא תוֹשׁ ִ ַיע׃ listen, Shall I shout to You, “Violence!” And You not save? ג ָל ָּמה ַתְר ֵא ִני ָאֶון ְו ָע ָמל ַּת ִּביט ְושׁ ֹד Why do You make me see iniquity [Why] do You 3 ְו ָח ָמס ְל ֶנ ְג ִ ּדי ַוְי ִהי ִריב ּו ָמדוֹן ִי ָּשׂא׃ look upon wrong?— Raiding and violence are before me, Strife continues and contention goes on. ד ַע ֵּל־כן ָּת ּפוג ּת ָוֹרה ְו ֵלֹא־י ֵצא ָל ֶנ ַצח That is why decision fails And justice never 4 ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ִּכי ָרשׁ ָ ע ַמ ְכ ִּתיר ֶא ַת־ה ַּצ ִ ּדיק —emerges; For the villain hedges in the just man ַע ֵּל־כן ֵי ֵצא ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ְמ ֻע ָּקל׃ .Therefore judgment emerges deformed al KAYN ta-FUG to-RAH v’-lo yay-TZAY la-NE-tzakh mish-PAT KEE ra-SHA makh-TEER et ha-tza-DEEK al KAYN yay-TZAY mish-PAT m’-u-KAL ה ראו ב ּגוֹים וה ּביטו וה ּתמהו ּתמהו Look among the nations, Observe well and be“ 5 ְ ּ ַ ִ ְ ַ ִ ּ ְ ִ ַ ְּ ּ ְ ָ ּ Twelve Prophets ִּכ ַי־פֹעל ּפ ֵֹעל ִּב ֵימ ֶיכם לֹא ַת ֲא ִמ ּינו ִּכי utterly astounded; For a work is being wrought in ְי ֻס ָּפר׃ your days Which you would not believe if it were told. ו ִּכ ִי־ה ְנ ִני ֵמ ִקים ֶא ַת־ה ַּכ ְשׂ ִ ּדים ַה ּגוֹי ַה ַּמר ,For lo, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce 6 ְו ַה ִנּ ְמ ָהר ַה ֵהוֹל ְך ְל ֶמְר ֲח ֵב ֶי־אֶרץ ָלֶרשׁ ֶ ת impetuous nation, Who cross the earth’s wide ִמשׁ ְ ָּכנוֹת ּלֹא־לוֹ׃ .spaces To seize homes not their own ז ָאיֹם ְו ָנוֹרא ּהוא ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפטוֹ ּו ְשׂ ֵאתוֹ They are terrible, dreadful; They make their own 7 ֵי ֵצא׃ .laws and rules ח ְו ַק ּל ּו ִמ ְנּ ֵמִרים ּסו ָסיו ְו ַח ּד ּו ִמְ ּז ֵא ֵבי ֶעֶרב Their horses are swifter than leopards, Fleeter than 8 ּו ָפשׁ ּו ָּפָרשׁ ָ יו ּו ָפָרשׁ ָ יו ֵמָרחוֹק ָי ּבֹאו wolves of the steppe. Their steeds gallop—their ָי ֻע ּפו ְּכ ֶנשׁ ֶ ר ָחשׁ ֶל ֱאכוֹל׃ steeds Come flying from afar. Like vultures rushing toward food, ט ֻּכ ּלֹה ְל ָח ָמס ָיבוֹא ְמ ַג ַּמת ְּפ ֵנ ֶיהם ָק ִד ָימה They all come, bent on rapine. The thrust of their 9 ַוֶּי ֱאסֹף ַּכחוֹל שׁ ֶ ִבי׃ .van is forward, And they amass captives like sand י ְו ּהוא ַּב ְּמ ָל ִכים ִי ְת ַק ָּלס ְו ְרֹז ִנים ִמ ְשׂ ָחק Kings they hold in derision, And princes are a joke 10 לוֹ ּהוא ְל ָכ ִל־מ ְב ָצר ִי ְשׂ ָחק ַוִּי ְצ ּבֹר ָע ָפר to them; They laugh at every fortress, They pile up ַוִּי ְל ְּכ ָד ּה׃ .earth and capture it יא ָאז ָח ַלף ּרו ַח ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְו ָאשׁ ֵ ם ּזו כֹחוֹ Then they pass on like the wind, They transgress 11 ֵלאלֹהוֹ׃ and incur guilt, For they ascribe their might to their god.”

1:4 That is why decision fails and justice never emerges righteousness are intertwined. Without one or the other, Having acknowledged the existence of evil, Chavakuk the law is used by evildoers to entrap the righteous for presents the key issue of the book: when the wicked their own selfish gain. When people see that evil succeeds prevail, not only do righteous people suffer, but the law, at the expense of the righteous, then God’s teachings the Torah itself, is weakened. In the Bible, justice and cannot influence others to be righteous and just.

107 חבקוק Chavakuk/Habakkuk פרק ב Chapter 2

יב ֲהלוֹא ַא ָּתה ִמ ֶּק ֶדם ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ַלֹהי ְקדֹשׁ ִ י You, Hashem, are from everlasting; My holy 12 לֹא ָנ ּמות ְי ָהֹוה ְל ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ַשׂ ְמ ּתוֹ ְו ּצור Hashem, You never die. Hashem, You have made ְל ִהוֹכ ַיח ְי ַס ְד ּתוֹ׃ them a subject of contention; O Rock, You have made them a cause for complaint. יג ְטהוֹר ֵע ַינִים ֵמְראוֹת ָרע ְו ַה ִּביט ֶאל־ ,You whose eyes are too pure to look upon evil 13 ָע ָמל לֹא ּתו ָכל ָל ָּמה ַת ִּביט ּב ְוֹג ִדים Who cannot countenance wrongdoing, Why do ַּת ֲחִרישׁ ְּב ַב ַּלע ָרשׁ ָ ע ַצ ִ ּדיק ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו׃ You countenance treachery, And stand by idle While the one in the wrong devours The one in the right? יד ַו ַּת ֲע ֶשׂה ָא ָדם ִּכ ְד ֵגי ַהָּים ְּכֶר ֶמשׂ לֹא־ ,You have made mankind like the fish of the sea 14 מֹשׁ ֵ ל ּבוֹ׃ .Like creeping things that have no ruler טו ֻּכ ּלֹה ְּב ַח ָּכה ֵה ֲע ָלה ְי ֵגֹר ּהו ְב ֶחְרמוֹ He has fished them all up with a line, Pulled them 15 ְוַי ַא ְס ֵפ ּהו ְּב ִמ ְכ ַמְר ּתוֹ ַע ֵּל־כן ִי ְשׂ ַמח up in his trawl, And gathered them in his net. That ְוָי ִגיל׃ .is why he rejoices and is glad

Twelve Prophets טז ַע ֵּל־כן ְיַז ֵּב ַח ְל ֶחְרמוֹ ִו ַיק ֵּטר ְל ִמ ְכ ַמְר ּתוֹ That is why he sacrifices to his trawl And makes 16 ִּכי ָב ֵה ָּמה שׁ ָ ֵמן ֶח ְלקוֹ ּו ַמ ֲא ָכלוֹ ְּבִר ָאה׃ offerings to his net; For through them his portion is rich And his nourishment fat. יז ַה ַעל ֵּכן ָיִריק ֶחְרמוֹ ְו ָת ִמיד ַל ֲהרֹג ּג ִוֹים Shall he then keep emptying his trawl, And slaying 17 לֹא ַי ְחמוֹל׃ ?nations without pity א ַע ִל־משׁ ְ ַמְר ִּתי ֶא ֱע ָמֹדה ְו ֶא ְתַי ְּצ ָבה ַעל־ I will stand on my watch, Take up my station at the 1 2 ב ָמצוֹר ַו ֲא ַצ ֶּפה ִלְראוֹת ַמ ְה־י ַד ֶּב ִּר־בי ּו ָמה post, And wait to see what He will say to me, What ָאשׁ ִ יב ַע ּל־ת ַוֹכ ְח ִּתי׃ .He will reply to my complaint ב ַוַּי ֲע ֵנ ִני ְי ָהֹוה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְּכתוֹב ָחזוֹן ּו ָב ֵאר Hashem answered me and said: Write the prophecy 2 ַע ַל־ה ֻּלחוֹת ְל ַמ ַען ָי ּרוץ ֵקוֹרא בוֹ׃ down, Inscribe it clearly on tablets, So that it can be read easily. ג ִּכי עוֹד ָחזוֹן ַל ּמ ֵוֹעד ְוָי ֵפ ַח ַל ֵּקץ ְולֹא For there is yet a prophecy for a set term, A truthful 3 ְי ַכֵ ּזב ִא ִם־י ְת ַמ ְה ָמ ּה ַח ֵּכה־לוֹ ִּכי־בֹא ָיבֹא ,witness for a time that will come. Even if it tarries לֹא ְי ַא ֵחר׃ wait for it still; For it will surely come, without delay: ד ִה ֵנּה ֻע ְּפ ָלה ָלֹא־ישׁ ְ ָרה ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ ּבוֹ ְו ַצ ִ ּדיק ,Lo, his spirit within him is puffed up, not upright 4 ֶּב ֱא ּמו ָנתוֹ ִי ְחֶיה׃ But the righteous man is rewarded with life For his fidelity. hi-NAY u-p’-LAH lo ya-sh’-RAH naf-SHO BO v’-tza-DEEK be-e-mu-na-TO yikh- YEH

2:4 But the righteous man is rewarded with life for hourly, attempted to expel it from its own milieu and his fidelity With these words, Chavakuk asserts uproot it from its spiritual climate — this people, I assert, that it is the faith of the righteous person that grants him has accepted upon its body and soul the burdens of life. Israel’s acclaimed national poet, Chaim Nachman eternal allegiance to the Kingdom of the Spirit.” Bialik is Bialik, a pioneer of Zionist Hebrew poetry wrote: “This alluding to this same idea. Even more than the People of Chaim Nachman particular people called Israel has, despite all the Israel have adhered to their faith as they have lived, it is Bialik vicissitudes which for two thousand years have daily, yea their adherence to their faith that has granted them life. (1873-1934)

108 חבקוק Chavakuk/Habakkuk פרק ב Chapter 2

ה ְו ַאף ִּכ ַי־הַּיִין ּב ֵוֹגד ֶּג ֶבר ָי ִהיר ְולֹא ִי ְנֶוה How much less then shall the defiant go 5 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִהְר ִחיב ִּכשׁ ְ אוֹל ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ ְו ּהוא ַכ ָּמֶות unpunished, The treacherous, arrogant man Who ְולֹא ִי ְשׂ ָּבע ַוֶּי ֱאסֹף ֵא ָליו ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים has made his maw as wide as Sheol, Who is as ַוִּי ְק ּבֹץ ֵא ָליו ָּכ ָל־ה ַע ִּמים׃ insatiable as Death, Who has harvested all the nations And gathered in all the peoples! ו ֲה ֵלוֹא־א ֶּלה ֻכ ָּלם ָע ָליו ָמשׁ ָ ל ִי ָּשׂ ּאו Surely all these shall pronounce a satire against 6 ּו ְמ ִל ָיצה ִחידוֹת לוֹ ְו ַיֹאמר הוֹי ַה ַּמְר ֶּבה him, A pointed epigram concerning him. They shall ּלֹא־לוֹ ַע ָד־מ ַתי ּו ַמ ְכ ִּביד ָע ָליו ַע ְב ִטיט׃ say: Ah, you who pile up what is not yours— How much longer?— And make ever heavier your load of indebtedness! ז ֲהלוֹא ֶפ ַתע ָי ּקו ּמו נֹשׁ ְ ֶכ ָיך ְוִי ְק ּצו Right suddenly will your creditors arise, And 7 ְמַז ְעְז ֶע ָיך ְו ָהִי ָית ִל ְמשׁ ִ ּסוֹת ָלמוֹ׃ those who remind you will awake, And you will be despoiled by them. ח ִּכי ַא ָּתה שׁ ַ ּל ָוֹת ּג ִוֹים ַר ִּבים ְישׁ ָ ּל ּו ָך ָּכל־ Because you plundered many nations, All surviving 8 ֶי ֶתר ַע ִּמים ִמ ְ ּד ֵמי ָא ָדם ַו ֲח ַמ ֶס־אֶרץ peoples shall plunder you— For crimes against ִקְרָיה ְו ָכל־יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָב ּה׃ Twelve Prophets men and wrongs against lands, Against cities and all their inhabitants. ט הוֹי ּב ֵֹצ ַע ֶּב ַצע ָרע ְל ֵביתוֹ ָל ּשׂום ַּב ָּמרוֹם Ah, you who have acquired gains To the detriment 9 ִקנּוֹ ְל ִה ָנּ ֵצל ִמ ַּכ ָף־רע׃ of your own house, Who have destroyed many peoples* In order to set your nest on high To escape disaster! י ָי ַע ְצ ָּת ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ְל ֵב ֶית ָך ְק ַצוֹת־ע ִּמים ַר ִּבים You have plotted shame for your own house, And 10 ְו ֵחוֹטא ַנ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך׃ ;guilt for yourself יא ִּכ ֶי־א ֶבן ִמ ִּקיר ִּתְז ָעק ְו ָכ ִפיס ֵמ ֵעץ For a stone shall cry out from the wall, And a rafter 11 ַי ֲע ֶנ ָנּ ה׃ .shall answer it from the woodwork יב הוֹי ּב ֶֹנה ִעיר ְּב ָד ִמים ְו ֵכוֹנן ִקְרָיה Ah, you who have built a town with crime, And 12 ְּב ַעְו ָלה׃ ,established a city with infamy יג ֲהלוֹא ִה ֵנּה ֵמ ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְוִי ְיג ּעו So that peoples have had to toil for the fire, And 13 ַע ִּמים ְּב ֵד ֵי־אשׁ ּו ְל ֻא ִּמים ְּב ֵד ִי־ריק ִי ָע ּפו׃ nations to weary themselves for naught! Behold, it is from the lord of Hosts: יד ִּכי ִּת ָּמ ֵלא ָה ָאֶרץ ָל ַד ַעת ֶא ְּת־כבוֹד For the earth shall be filled With awe for the glory 14 ְי ָהֹוה ַּכ ַּמִים ְי ַכ ּס ּו ַע ָל־ים׃ .of Hashem As water covers the sea KEE ti-ma-LAY ha-A-retz la-DA-at et k’-VOD a-do-NAI ka-MA-yim y’-kha-SU al YAM

* “Who have destroyed many peoples” brought up from verse 10 for clarity

2:14 For the earth shall be filled with awe for the expression of the ancient Jewish heritage. is glory of Hashem Here Chavakuk describes a the national liberation movement of a people exiled great future for the entire world upon the return of the from its historic homeland and dispersed among the Jewish people to Eretz Yisrael. One of Israel’s leading nations of the world. Zionism is the redemption of an statesmen, Yigal Allon (1918-1980), eloquently defined ancient nation from a tragic lot and the redemption of Yigal Allon Modern Zionism for world leaders in an address to the a land neglected for centuries. Zionism is the revival of (1918-1980) United Nations in 1975: “Zionism is the modern an ancient language and culture, in which the vision of

109 חבקוק Chavakuk/Habakkuk פרק ג Chapter 3

טו הוֹי ַמשׁ ְ ֵקה ֵר ֵע ּהו ְמ ַס ֵּפ ַח ֲח ָמ ְת ָך ְו ַאף Ah, you who make others drink to intoxication As 15 שׁ ַ ֵּכר ְל ַמ ַען ַה ִּביט ַע ְל־מ ֵעוֹר ֶיהם׃ you pour out your wrath, In order to gaze upon their nakedness! טז ָשׂ ַב ְע ָּת ָקלוֹן ִמ ָּכבוֹד שׁ ְ ֵתה ַג ַם־א ָּתה :You shall be sated with shame Rather than glory 16 ְו ֵה ָעֵרל ִּת ּסוֹב ָע ֶל ָיך ּכוֹס ְי ִמין ְי ָהֹוה Drink in your turn and stagger! The cup in the right ְו ִק ָיקלוֹן ַע ְּל־כ ֶבוֹד ָך׃ hand of Hashem Shall come around to you, And disgrace to your glory. יז ִּכי ֲח ַמס ְל ָבנוֹן ְי ַכ ֶּס ָּך ְושׁ ֹד ְּב ֵהמוֹת ְי ִח ַיתן For the lawlessness against Lebanon shall cover 17 ִמ ְ ּד ֵמי ָא ָדם ַו ֲח ַמ ֶס־אֶרץ ִקְרָיה ְו ָכל־ you, The destruction of beasts shall overwhelm יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָב ּה׃ you— For crimes against men and wrongs against lands, Against cities and all their inhabitants. יח ָמ ִה־הוֹעיל ֶּפ ֶסל ִּכי ְפ ָסלוֹ ְיֹצרוֹ ַמ ֵּס ָכה What has the carved image availed, That he who 18 ּו ֶמוֹרה שָּׁ ֶקר ִּכי ָב ַטח ֵיֹצר ִי ְצרוֹ ָע ָליו fashioned it has carved it For an image and a false ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ֱא ִל ִילים ִא ְּל ִמים׃ oracle— That he who fashioned his product has trusted in it, Making dumb idols? Twelve Prophets יט הוֹי ֵאֹמר ָל ֵעץ ָה ִק ָיצה ּעוִרי ְל ֶא ֶבן ּד ּו ָמם ”,Ah, you who say, “Wake up” to wood, “Awaken 19 ּהוא ֶיוֹרה ִה ֵנּ ּה־הוא ָּת ּפושׂ ָז ָהב ָו ֶכ ֶסף to inert stone! Can that give an oracle? Why, it is ְו ָכ ּל־רו ַח ֵאין ְּב ִקְר ּבוֹ׃ encased in gold and silver, But there is no breath inside it. כ ַו ָיהֹוה ְּב ֵה ַיכל ָק ְדשׁ וֹ ַהס ִמ ָּפ ָניו ָּכל־ But Hashem in His holy Abode— Be silent before 20 ָה ָאֶרץ׃ !Him all the earth א ְּת ִפ ָּלה ַל ֲח ַב ּק ּוק ַה ָנּ ִביא ַעל שׁ ִ ְגיֹנוֹת׃ A prayer of the Navi Chavakuk. In the mode of 1 3 ג .Shigionoth ב ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי שׁ ִ ְמ ֲע ָך ָיֵר ִאתי ְי ָהֹוה O Hashem! I have learned of Your renown; I am 2 ָּפ ָע ְל ָך ְּב ֶקֶרב שׁ ָ ִנים ַחֵּי ּיהו ְּב ֶקֶרב שׁ ָ ִנים awed, Hashem, by Your deeds. Renew them in ּת ִוֹד ַיע ְּב ֶרֹגז ַר ֵחם ִּתְז ּכוֹר׃ !these years, Oh, make them known in these years Though angry, may You remember compassion. ג ֱא ַלוֹה ִמ ֵּת ָימן ָיבוֹא ְו ָקדוֹשׁ ֵמ ַה ָּר־פ ָארן Hashem is coming from Teman, The Holy One 3 ֶס ָלה ִּכ ָּסה שׁ ָ ַמִים הוֹדוֹ ּו ְת ִה ָּלתוֹ ָמ ְל ָאה from Mount Paran. Selah. His majesty covers the ָה ָאֶרץ׃ :skies, His splendor fills the earth ד ְו ַנֹג ּה ָּכאוֹר ִּת ְהֶיה ַקְר ַנִים ִמָּידוֹ לוֹ ְושׁ ָ ם It is a brilliant light Which gives off rays on every 4 ֶח ְביוֹן ֻע ּזֹה׃ .side— And therein His glory is enveloped v’-NO-gah ka-OR tih-YEH kar-NA-yim mi-ya-DO LO v’-SHAM khev-YON u-ZOH

אור a universal peace has been a central theme. Zionism is the 3:4 It is a brilliant light The Hebrew word embodiment of a unique pioneering spirit, of the dignity of for ‘light’, ohr ( ), is very similar to the ער אור According to Rabbi .(ער) labor, and of enduring human values. Zionism is creating a word for ‘awaken’, ayr society, however, imperfect it may still be, which tries to Michael Munk in his book The Wisdom in the implement the highest ideal of democracy — political, social Hebrew Alphabet, this teaches that light is the and cultural - for all the inhabitants of Israel, irrespective of element that awakens creation to development. religious belief, race or sex. Zionism is, in sum, the constant Just as physical light stimulates the growth of and unrelenting effort to realize the national and universal plants, spiritual and intellectual light prods man to vision of the prophets of Israel.” achieve his potential.

110 חבקוק Chavakuk/Habakkuk פרק ג Chapter 3

ה ְל ָפ ָניו ֵי ֶל ְך ָ ּד ֶבר ְוֵי ֵצא ֶרשׁ ֶ ף ְלַר ְג ָליו׃ Pestilence marches before Him, And plague comes 5 forth at His heels. ו ָע ַמד ַוְי ֶמֹדד ֶאֶרץ ָר ָאה ַוַּי ֵּתר ּג ִוֹים When He stands, He makes the earth shake; When 6 ַוִּי ְת ּפ ְֹצ ּצו ַהְרֵר ַי־עד שׁ ַ ּחו ִּג ְבעוֹת ָעוֹלם He glances, He makes nations tremble. The age-old ֲה ִליכוֹת ָעוֹלם לוֹ׃ mountains are shattered, The primeval hills sink low. His are the ancient routes: ז ַּת ַחת ָאֶון ָר ִא ִיתי ָא ֳה ֵלי ּכושׁ ָ ן ִיְר ְּג ּזון ;As a scene of havoc I behold The tents of Cushan 7 ְיִריעוֹת ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְדָין׃ !Shaken are the pavilions Of the land of Midian ח ֲה ִב ְנ ָהִרים ָחָרה ְי ָהֹוה ִאם ַּב ְנּ ָהִרים ַא ֶּפ ָך Are You wroth, Hashem, with Neharim? Is Your anger 8 ִא ַּם־בָּים ֶע ְבָר ֶת ָך ִּכי ִתְר ַּכב ַע ּל־סו ֶס ָיך against Neharim, Your rage against Yam— That You ַמְר ְּכ ֶבֹת ָיך ְישׁ ּו ָעה׃ ?are driving Your steeds, Your victorious chariot ט ֶעְרָיה ֵתעוֹר ַקשׁ ְ ֶּת ָך שׁ ְ ֻבעוֹת ַמ ּטוֹת All bared and ready is Your bow. Sworn are the rods 9 ֶאֹמר ֶס ָלה ְנ ָהרוֹת ְּת ַב ַּק ָע־אֶרץ׃ of the word. Selah. You make the earth burst into streams, י ָר ּאו ָך ָי ִח ּילו ָהִרים ֶזֶרם ַמִים ָע ָבר ָנ ַתן Twelve Prophets 10 The mountains rock at the sight of You, A torrent ְּתהוֹם קוֹלוֹ רוֹם ָי ֵד ּיהו ָנ ָשׂא׃ of rain comes down; Loud roars the deep, The sky returns the echo. יא שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ָיֵר ַח ָע ַמד ְז ֻב ָלה ְלאוֹר ִח ֶּצ ָיך Sun [and] moon stand still on high As Your arrows 11 ְי ַה ֵּל ּכו ְל ַנֹג ּה ְּבַרק ֲח ִנ ֶית ָך׃ .fly in brightness, Your flashing spear in brilliance יב ְּבַז ַעם ִּת ְצ ַע ָד־אֶרץ ְּב ַאף ָּת ּדושׁ ּג ִוֹים׃ You tread the earth in rage, You trample nations in 12 fury. יג ָי ָצ ָאת ְלֵישׁ ַ ע ַע ֶּמ ָך ְלֵישׁ ַ ע ֶא ְת־משׁ ִ ֶיח ָך You have come forth to deliver Your people, To 13 ָמ ַח ְצ ָּת ּרֹאשׁ ִמ ֵּבית ָרשׁ ָ ע ָערוֹת ְיסוֹד deliver Your anointed. You will smash the roof of the ַע ַד־צָּואר ֶס ָלה׃ .villain’s house, Raze it from foundation to top. Selah יד ָנ ַק ְב ָּת ְב ַמ ָּטיו רֹאשׁ פרזו ְּ]פָרָזיו[ ִי ְס ֲע ּרו You will crack [his] skull with Your bludgeon; Blown 14 ַל ֲה ִפ ֵיצ ִני ֲע ִל ֻיצ ָתם ְּכ ֶמוֹ־ל ֱאכֹל ָע ִני away shall be his warriors, Whose delight is to crush ַּב ִּמ ְס ָּתר׃ .me suddenly, To devour a poor man in an ambush טו ָ ּדַר ְכ ָּת ַבָּים ּסו ֶס ָיך ֶחֹמר ַמִים ַר ִּבים׃ You will make Your steeds tread the sea, Stirring 15 the mighty waters. טז שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ַו ִּתְר ַּגז ִּב ְט ִני ְלקוֹל ָצ ֲל ּלו ְשׂ ָפ ַתי I heard and my bowels quaked, My lips quivered at 16 ָיבוֹא ָר ָקב ַּב ֲע ָצ ַמי ְו ַת ְח ַּתי ֶאְר ָּגז ֲאשׁ ֶ ר the sound; Rot entered into my bone, I trembled ָא ּנו ַח ְליוֹם ָצָרה ַל ֲעלוֹת ְל ַעם ְי ּגו ֶד ּנּו׃ where I stood. Yet I wait calmly for the day of distress, For a people to come to attack us. יז ִּכ ְי־ת ֵא ָנה ִלֹא־ת ְפָרח ְו ֵאין ְי ּבול ַּב ְּג ָפ ִנים Though the fig tree does not bud And no yield is 17 ִּכ ֵחשׁ ַמ ֲע ֵשׂ ַה־זִית ּושׁ ְ ֵדמוֹת ָלֹא־ע ָשׂה on the vine, Though the olive crop has failed And ֶאֹכל ָּגַזר ִמ ִּמ ְכ ָלה צֹאן ְו ֵאין ָּב ָקר the fields produce no grain, Though sheep have ָּבְר ָפ ִתים׃ ,vanished from the fold And no cattle are in the pen יח ַו ֲא ִני ַּב ָיהֹוה ֶא ְע ָלוֹזה ָא ִג ָילה ֵּב ֵאלֹהי Yet will I rejoice in Hashem, Exult in the God who 18 ִ י שׁ ְ ִ ע י ׃ .delivers me יט ְי ִהו ּה ֲא ָדֹני ֵח ִילי ַוָּי ֶשׂם ַר ְג ַלי ָּכ ַאָּילוֹת My Hashem is my strength: He makes my feet like 19 ְו ַעל ָּב ַמוֹתי ַי ְדִר ֵכ ִני ַל ְמ ַנ ֵּצ ַח ִּב ְנ ִג ָינוֹתי׃ the deer’s And lets me stride upon the heights. For the leader; with instrumental music.

111

Sefer Tzefanya The Book of Zephaniah

The ninth of theTrei Asar, Sefer Tzefanya (Zephaniah), describes the last of the twelve prophets to speak before Yehuda’s final disintegration and dissolution by Babylonia at the end of the seventh century BCE. In the year 638 BCE, the young child Yoshiyahu ascended the throne of Yehuda. For over half a century under his grandfather Menashe, Yehuda was a subservient vassal to the Assyrian Empire, and lost most vestiges of its sovereignty, including its religious autonomy. Instead of the pure worship of God, Menashe brought Assyrian idols and cultic practices into Yehuda, and even into the Beit Hamikdash itself. In the country, rich courtiers profited from the toil of the oppressed citizenry. However, by the time Yoshiyahu comes to power, Assyrian influence is on the wane. The young child king senses that the moment is right to remove all vestiges of foreign rule from the country, engaging in the most comprehensive religious and political reform that Yehuda has ever seen. Within two decades, the righteous Yoshiyahu will rule over a country as big as that of David and Shlomo. Among those guiding him was the prophet Tzefanya, about whom we know little. Tzefanya speaks about how the people of God must live in righteousness, which involves respecting the needs of the poor and engaging in genuine worship. Otherwise, he warns, Hashem is preparing a day of judgment, a “Day of Hashem”. It is up to the people to decide whether that judgment will befall them, or their enemies. The book contains five sections in its three chapters. Chapter 1 warns about the approach of divine judgment on the world, including Yehuda. Chapter 2 repeats the warning for other countries, excluding Yehuda. Chapter 3 then begins with Yehuda’s call to judgment, continues with Hashem’s punishment and concludes with the prophet urging Tzion and Yisrael to rejoice, for after the judgment, God’s love and care for them will become evident to all.

113

צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק א Chapter 1

א ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ֶא ְל־צ ַפ ְנָיה ֶּבן־ The word ofHashem that came to Tzefanya son 1 1 א ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ֶב ְּן־ג ַד ְלָיה ֶּב ֲן־א ַמְרָיה ֶּב ִן־חְז ִקָּיה of Kushi son of Gedalya son of Amariah son of ִּב ֵימי יֹאשׁ ִ ָּי ּהו ֶב ָן־אמוֹן ֶמ ֶל ְך ְי ּהו ָדה׃ Chizkiyahu, during the reign of King Yoshiyahu son of Amon of Yehuda. ב ָאסֹף ָא ֵסף ּכֹל ֵמ ַעל ְּפ ֵני ָה ֲא ָד ָמה ְנ ֻאם־ I will sweep everything away From the face of the 2 ְי ָהֹוה׃ .earth —declares Hashem ג ָא ֵסף ָא ָדם ּו ְב ֵה ָמה ָא ֵסף ַעוֹף־השָּׁ ַמִים I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep 3 ּו ְד ֵגי ַהָּים ְו ַה ַּמ ְכשׁ ֵ לוֹת ֶא ָת־הְרשׁ ָ ִעים away the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea. I ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ֶא ָת־ה ָא ָדם ֵמ ַעל ְּפ ֵני ָה ֲא ָד ָמה will make the wicked stumble, And I will destroy ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ mankind From the face of the earth —declares Hashem. ד ְו ָנ ִט ִיתי ָי ִדי ַע ְל־י ּהו ָדה ְו ַעל ָּכל־יוֹשׁ ְ ֵבי I will stretch out My arm against Yehuda And 4 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ִמ ַן־ה ָּמקוֹם ַהֶ ּזה against all who dwell in Yerushalayim; And I will ֶאת־שׁ ְ ָאר ַה ַּב ַעל ֶאת־שׁ ֵ ם ַה ְּכ ָמִרים ִעם־ ,wipe out from this place Every vestige of Baal

ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים׃ Twelve Prophets And the name of the priestlings along with the Kohanim; ה ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחִוים ַע ַל־ה ַּג ּגוֹת ִל ְצ ָבא And those who bow down on the roofs To the host 5 ַהשָּׁ ָמִים ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחִוים ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָּב ִעים of heaven; And those who bow down and swear to ַל ָיהֹוה ְו ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָּב ִעים ְּב ַמ ְל ָּכם׃ ;Hashem But also swear by Malcam ו ְו ֶא ַת־ה ְנּ ִסוֹגים ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ְי ָהֹוה ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־ And those who have forsaken Hashem, And those 6 ִב ְקשׁ ּו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְולֹא ְדָרשׁ ֻ ּהו׃ who have not sought Hashem And have not turned to Him. ז ַהס ִמ ְּפ ֵני ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ִּכי ָקרוֹב יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה Be silent before my God, For the day of Hashem is 7 ִּכ ֵי־ה ִכין ְי ָהֹוה ֶז ַבח ִה ְק ִ ּדישׁ ְקֻר ָאיו׃ approaching; For Hashem has prepared a sacrificial feast, Has bidden His guests purify themselves. ח ְו ָהָיה ְּביוֹם ֶז ַבח ְי ָהֹוה ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ַעל־ And on the day of Hashem’s sacrifice I will punish 8 ַה ָּשׂ ִרים ְו ַע ְּל־ב ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַעל ָּכל־ the officials And the king’s sons, And all who don a ַה ּל ְֹבשׁ ִ ים ַמ ְל ּב ּושׁ ָנ ְכִרי׃ .foreign vestment ט ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ַעל ָּכ ַל־ה ּד ֵוֹלג ַע ַל־ה ִּמ ְפ ָּתן I will also punish on that day Everyone who steps 9 ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַה ְמ ַמ ְל ִאים ֵּבית ֲא ֵדֹנ ֶיהם over the threshold, Who fill their master’s palace ָח ָמס ּו ִמְר ָמה׃ .With lawlessness and fraud י ְו ָהָיה ַב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה קוֹל ְצ ָע ָקה In that day there shall be —declares Hashem— A 10 ִמשַּׁ ַער ַה ָ ּד ִגים ִו ָיל ָלה ִמ ַן־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ֶנה ְושׁ ֶ ֶבר loud outcry from the Fish Gate, And howling from ָּגדוֹל ֵמ ַה ְּג ָבעוֹת׃ the Mishneh, And a sound of great anguish from the hills. יא ֵה ִיל ּילו יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ַה ַּמ ְכ ֵּתשׁ ִּכי ִנ ְד ָמה ָּכ ַל־עם The dwellers of the Machtesh howl; For all the 11 ְּכ ַנ ַען ִנ ְכְר ּתו ָּכ ְל־נ ִט ֵילי ָכ ֶסף׃ tradesmen have perished, All who weigh silver are wiped out. יב ְו ָהָיה ָּב ֵעת ַה ִהיא ֲא ַח ֵּפשׂ ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ;At that time, I will search Yerushalayim with lamps 12 ַּב ֵנּרוֹת ּו ָפ ַק ְד ִּתי ַע ָל־ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַה ּק ְֹפ ִאים And I will punish the men Who rest untroubled on ַעל־שׁ ִ ְמֵר ֶיהם ָה ְאֹמִרים ִּב ְל ָב ָבם לֹא־ their lees, Who say to themselves, “Hashem will do ֵי ִיטיב ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא ָיֵר ַע׃ ”.nothing, good or bad

115 צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק ב Chapter 2

יג ְו ָהָיה ֵח ָילם ִל ְמשׁ ִ ָּסה ּו ָב ֵּת ֶיהם ִלשׁ ְ ָמ ָמה Their wealth shall be plundered And their homes 13 ּו ָב ּנו ָב ִּתים ְולֹא ֵישׁ ֵ ּבו ְו ָנ ְט ּעו ְכָר ִמים laid waste. They shall build houses and not dwell in ְולֹא ִישׁ ְ ּת ּו ֶא ֵת־י ָינם׃ .them, Plant vineyards and not drink their wine יד ָקרוֹב ְיוֹם־י ָהֹוה ַה ָּגדוֹל ָקרוֹב ּו ַמ ֵהר ,The great day ofHashem is approaching 14 ְמאֹד קוֹל יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ַמר ֵצֹר ַח שׁ ָ ם ִּג ּבוֹר׃ Approaching most swiftly. Hark, the day of Hashem! It is bitter: There a warrior shrieks! טו יוֹם ֶע ְבָרה ַה ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא יוֹם ָצָרה That day shall be a day of wrath, A day of trouble 15 ּו ְמ ּצו ָקה יוֹם שׁ ָֹאה ּו ְמשׁ ָוֹאה יוֹם חֹשׁ ֶ ְך and distress, A day of calamity and desolation, A ַו ֲא ֵפ ָלה יוֹם ָע ָנן ַו ֲעָר ֶפל׃ day of darkness and deep gloom, A day of densest clouds, YOM ev-RAH ha-YOM ha-HU YOM tza-RAH um-tzu-KAH YOM sho-AH um- sho-AH YOM KHO-shekh va-a-fay-LAH YOM a-NAN va-a-ra-FEL טז יוֹם שׁ ָוֹפר ּו ְת ּרו ָעה ַעל ֶה ָעִרים ַה ְּב ֻצרוֹת A day of shofar blasts and alarms— Against the 16 ְו ַעל ַה ִּפנּוֹת ַה ְּגבֹהוֹת׃ .fortified towns And the lofty corner towers Twelve Prophets יז ַו ֲה ֵצ ִרֹתי ָל ָא ָדם ְו ָה ְל ּכו ַּכ ִעְוִרים ִּכי I will bring distress on the people, And they shall 17 ַל ָיהֹוה ָח ָט ּאו ְושׁ ֻ ַּפ ְך ָ ּד ָמם ֶּכ ָע ָפר ּו ְל ֻח ָמם walk like blind men, Because they sinned against ַּכ ְּג ָל ִלים׃ Hashem; Their blood shall be spilled like dust, And their fat like dung. יח ַּג ַּם־כ ְס ָּפם ַּג ְם־ז ָה ָבם ּלֹא־יו ַכל ְל ַה ִּצ ָילם Moreover, their silver and gold Shall not avail 18 ְּביוֹם ֶע ְבַרת ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְב ֵאשׁ ִק ְנ ָאתוֹ ֵּת ָא ֵכל to save them. On the day of Hashem’s wrath, In ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ִּכ ָי־כ ָלה ַא ְך ִ־נ ְב ָה ָלה ַי ֲע ֶשׂה the fire of His passion, The whole land shall be ֵאת ָּכל־יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָה ָאֶרץ׃ consumed; For He will make a terrible end Of all who dwell in the land. ב א ִה ְתקוֹשׁ ְ שׁ ּו ָוקוֹשּׁ ּו ַה ּגוֹי לֹא ִנ ְכ ָסף׃ ,Gather together, gather, O nation without shame 1 2 ב ְּב ֶטֶרם ֶל ֶדת חֹק ְּכמֹץ ָע ַבר יוֹם ְּב ֶטֶרם Before the day the decree is born— The day flies 2 ָלֹא־יבוֹא ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֲחרוֹן ַא ְף־י ָהֹוה ְּב ֶטֶרם by like chaff— Before the fierce anger OfHashem ָלֹא־יבוֹא ֲע ֵל ֶיכם יוֹם ַא ְף־י ָהֹוה׃ overtakes you, Before the day of anger Of Hashem overtakes you. ג ַּב ְּקשׁ ּו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ָּכ ַל־ע ְנֵוי ָה ָאֶרץ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Seek Hashem,All you humble of the landWho 3 ִמשׁ ְ ָּפטוֹ ָּפ ָע ּלו ַּב ְּקשׁ ּו ֶ־צ ֶדק ַּב ְּקשׁ ּו ֲע ָנָוה have fulfilled His law;Seek righteousness,Seek ּאו ַלי ִּת ָּס ְת ּרו ְּביוֹם ַא ְף־י ָהֹוה׃ humility.Perhaps you will find shelter On the day of Hashem’s anger.

1:15 A day of calamity and desolation The He- which serves as a symbol of defiance against oppression. brew name of Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Yom Hashoah is commemorated in Israel with a siren comes from this verse. that is sounded in the morning, bringing everyone, even ,(יום השואה) Day, Yom Hashoah When describing the devastating destruction of Yerush- highway traffic, to a standstill for a minute of silence in alayim, Tzefanya refers to that day as yom shoah umis- memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. Memo- A day of calamity and desola- rial ceremonies are held throughout the country, and‘ ,(יום שואה ומשואה) hoah tion’. Yom Hashoah was established by the Knesset in entertainment establishments are closed in the evening, memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis to focus on the solemness of the day. during World War II. It coincides with the anniversary of Standing for the the Warsaw ghetto uprising, remembering not only the 2:3 Seek Hashem, all you humble of the land The Yom Hashoah siren destruction of European Jewry, but also the heroic revolt “humble of the land” are the few who rejected idolatry, in Jerusalem

116 צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק ב Chapter 2

ba-k’-SHU et a-do-NAI kol an-VAY ha-A-retz a-SHER mish-pa-TO pa-A-lu ba-k’- shu TZE-dek ba-k’-SHU a-na-VAH u-LAI ti-sa-t’-RU b’-YOM af a-do-NAI ד ִּכי ַעָ ּזה ֲע ּזו ָבה ִת ְהֶיה ְו ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן Indeed, Azza shall be deserted And Ashkelon 4 ִ ל שׁ ְ ָ מ ָ מ ה ַא שׁ ְ ּ ד ֹ ו ד ַ ּב ָ ּ צ ֳ ה ַ ר ִ י ם ְי ָ ג ְ ר שׁ ּו ָ ה desolate; Ashdod’s people shall be expelled in broad ְו ֶע ְקרוֹן ֵּת ָע ֵקר׃ .daylight, And Ekron shall be uprooted ה הוֹי יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ֶח ֶבל ַהָּים ּגוֹי ְּכֵר ִתים ְ ּד ַבר־ Ah, nation of Cherethites Who inhabit the 5 ְי ָהֹוה ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ְּכ ַנ ַען ֶאֶרץ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים seacoast! There is a word ofHashem against you, O ְו ַה ֲא ַב ְד ִּת ְיך ֵמ ֵאין יוֹשׁ ֵ ב׃ Canaan, land of the Philistines: I will lay you waste Without inhabitants. ו ְו ָהְי ָתה ֶח ֶבל ַהָּים ְנוׂת ְּכרֹת ִרֹעים The seacoast Cheroth shall become An abode for 6 ְו ִג ְדרוֹת צֹאן׃ ,shepherds and folds for flocks ז ְו ָהָיה ֶח ֶבל ִלשׁ ְ ֵאִרית ֵּבית ְי ּהו ָדה ֲע ֵל ֶיהם And shall be a portion for the remnant of the 7 ִיְר ּעון ְּב ָב ֵּתי ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן ָּב ֶעֶרב ִיְר ָּב ּצון ִּכי House of Yehuda; On these [pastures] they shall ִי ְפ ְק ֵדם ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְושׁ ָ ב שבותם graze [their flocks], They shall lie down at eventide ]שׁ ְ ִב ָיתם׃[ Twelve Prophets In the houses of Ashkelon. For Hashem their God will take note of them And restore their fortunes. ח שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ֶחְר ַּפת ָמוֹאב ְו ִג ּד ּו ֵפי ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן I have heard the insults of Moab And the jeers of 8 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵחְר ּפו ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ַוַּי ְג ִ ּד ּילו ַעל־ the Amonites, Who have insulted My people And ְּג ּבו ָלם׃ .gloated over their country ט ָל ֵכן ַח ָי־א ִני ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ֵלֹהי ,Assuredly, as I live —declares the lord of Hosts 9 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ָי־מוֹאב ִּכ ְסדֹם ִּת ְהֶיה ּו ְב ֵני the God of Yisrael— Moab shall become like ַע ּמוֹן ַּכ ֲע ָמֹרה ִמ ְמשׁ ַ ק ָח ּרול ּו ִמ ְכֵרה־ Sodom And the Amonites like Gomorrah: Clumps ֶמ ַלח ּושׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ַע ָד־עוֹלם שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ַע ִּמי of weeds and patches of salt, And desolation ְי ָב ּז ּום ְוֶי ֶתר גוי ּ]ג ִוֹיי[ ִי ְנ ָח ּלום׃ evermore. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, The remainder o My nation shall possess them. י זֹאת ָל ֶהם ַּת ַחת ְּג ָאוֹנם ִּכי ֵחְר ּפו ַוַּי ְג ִ ּד ּלו That is what they’ll get for their haughtiness, For 10 ַע ַל־עם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ insulting and jeering At the people of the lord of Hosts. יא ָנוֹרא ְי ָהֹוה ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ִּכי ָרָזה ֵאת ָּכ ֱל־א ֵלֹהי ,Hashem will show Himself terrible against them 11 ָה ָאֶרץ ְוִישׁ ְ ַּת ֲח ּוו־לוֹ ִאישׁ ִמ ְּמקוֹמוֹ ּכֹל Causing all the gods on earth to shrivel; And all ִאֵּיי ַה ּג ִוֹים׃ the coastlands of the nations Shall bow down to Him— Every man in his own home. יב ַּג ַם־א ֶּתם ּכ ּושׁ ִ ים ַח ְל ֵלי ַחְר ִּבי ֵה ָּמה׃ You Cushites too— They shall be slain by My 12 sword.

quietly serving God in the Land of Israel despite the God without striving for righteousness, or without hardships. Tzefanya encourages them to continue their behaving with humility, since the way we treat others loyalty to Hashem despite the decree of destruction and automatically affects how we treat God. If they continue exile soon to take effect. He uses the command “seek” to seek out Hashem, “Perhaps you will find shelter on three times: To seek the Lord, to seek righteousness, and the day of Hashem’s anger.” Tzefanya teaches that the to seek humility. The three go together. One cannot seek safest refuge from God’s anger is with Hashem Himself.

117 צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק ג Chapter 3

יג ְוֵיט ָידוֹ ַע ָל־צפוֹן ִו ַיא ֵּבד ֶא ַת־אשּׁ ּור And He will stretch out His arm against the north 13 ְוָי ֵשׂם ֶא ִת־נ ְינֵוה ִלשׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ִצָּיה ַּכ ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ And destroy Assyria; He will make Nineveh a desolation, Arid as the desert. יד ְוָר ְב ּצו ְב ָתוֹכ ּה ֲע ָדִרים ָּכ ַל־חְיתוֹ־גוֹי ,In it flocks shall lie down, Every species of beast 14 ַּג ָם־ק ַאת ַּג ִם־ק ּפֹד ְּב ַכ ְפ ּתֶֹר ָיה ָי ִל ּינו קוֹל ,While jackdaws and owls roost on its capitals ְישׁ ֵוֹרר ַּב ַח ּלוֹן ֶחֹרב ַּב ַּסף ִּכי ַאְרָזה ֵעָרה׃ The great owl hoots in the window, And the raven [croaks] on the threshold. For he has stripped its cedarwork bare. טו זֹאת ָה ִעיר ָה ַע ִּל ָיזה ַה ּיוֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ָל ֶב ַטח Is this the gay city That dwelt secure, That thought 15 ָה ְאֹמָרה ִּב ְל ָב ָב ּה ֲא ִני ְו ַא ְפ ִסי עוֹד ֵא ְיך ?”in her heart, “I am, and there is none but me ָהְי ָתה ְלשׁ ַ ָּמה ַמְר ֵּבץ ַל ַחָּיה ּכֹל ֵעוֹבר !Alas, she is become a waste, A lair of wild beasts ָע ֶל ָיה ִישׁ ְ רֹק ָי ִנ ַיע ָידוֹ׃ Everyone who passes by her Hisses and gestures with his hand. ג א הוֹי ְמֹר ָאה ְו ִנ ְג ָא ָלה ָה ִעיר ַה ּי ָוֹנה׃ !Ah, sullied, polluted, Overbearing city 1 3 Twelve Prophets ב לֹא שׁ ָ ְמ ָעה ְּבקוֹל לֹא ָל ְק ָחה ּמו ָסר ;She has been disobedient, Has learned no lesson 2 ַּב ָיהֹוה לֹא ָב ָט ָחה ֶא ֱל־א ֶלֹה ָיה לֹא She has not trusted in Hashem, Has not drawn near ָקֵר ָבה׃ .to her God ג ָשׂ ֶר ָיה ְב ִקְר ָּב ּה ֲאָריוֹת שׁ ֲֹא ִגים שׁ ְֹפ ֶט ָיה The officials within her Are roaring lions; Her 3 ְז ֵא ֵבי ֶעֶרב לֹא ָגְר ּמו ַל ּב ֶֹקר׃ judges are wolves of the steppe, They leave no bone until morning. ד ְנ ִב ֶיא ָיה ּפ ֲֹחִזים ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ּב ְֹגדוֹת ּכ ֲֹה ֶנ ָיה Her Neviim are reckless, Faithless fellows; Her 4 ִח ְּל ּלו ֶ־קֹדשׁ ָח ְמ ּסו ּת ָוֹרה׃ Kohanim profane what is holy, They give perverse rulings. ה ְי ָהֹוה ַצ ִ ּדיק ְּב ִקְר ָּב ּה לֹא ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ַעְו ָלה But Hashem in her midst is righteous, He does no 5 ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ִמשׁ ְ ָּפטוֹ ִי ֵּתן ָלאוֹר לֹא wrong; He issues judgment every morning, As ֶנ ְע ָ ּדר ְו ֵלֹא־יוֹד ַע ַעָּול ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ unfailing as the light. The wrongdoer knows no shame! ו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ִגוֹים ָנשׁ ַ ּמ ּו ִּפ ָנּוֹתם ֶה ֱחַר ְב ִּתי I wiped out nations: Their corner towers are 6 ּחו ָצוֹתם ִמ ְּב ִלי ֵעוֹבר ִנ ְצ ּד ּו ָעֵר ֶיהם ,desolate; I turned their thoroughfares into ruins ִמ ְּב ִל ִי־אישׁ ֵמ ֵאין יוֹשׁ ֵ ב׃ With none passing by; Their towns lie waste without people, Without inhabitants. ז ָא ַמְר ִּתי ַא ְך ִּ־ת ְיר ִאי ִאוֹתי ִּת ְק ִחי ּמו ָסר And I thought that she would fear Me, Would 7 ְו ִלֹא־י ָּכֵרת ְמ ָעוֹנ ּה ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־פ ַק ְד ִּתי learn a lesson, And that the punishment I brought ָע ֶל ָיה ָא ֵכן ִהשׁ ְ ִּכ ּימו ִהשׁ ְ ִח ּיתו ּכֹל on them Would not be lost on her. Instead, all the ֲע ִל ָילוֹתם׃ more eagerly They have practiced corruption in all their deeds. ח ָל ֵכן ַח ּכ ּו ִ־לי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְליוֹם ּקו ִמי But wait for Me—says Hashem— For the day 8 ְל ַעד ִּכי ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ִטי ֶל ֱאסֹף ּג ִוֹים ְל ָק ְב ִצי when I arise as an accuser; When I decide to gather ַמ ְמ ָלכוֹת ִלשׁ ְ ּפ ְֹך ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַז ְע ִמי ּכֹל ֲחרוֹן nations, To bring kingdoms together, To pour out ַא ִּפי ִּכי ְּב ֵאשׁ ִק ְנ ָא ִתי ֵּת ָא ֵכל ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ .My indignation on them, All My blazing anger Indeed, by the fire of My passion All the earth shall be consumed.

118 צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק ג Chapter 3

ט ִּכ ָי־אז ֶא ְה ּפ ְֹך ֶא ַל־ע ִּמים ָשׂ ָפה ְב ּרוָרה ,For then I will make the peoples pure of speech 9 ִל ְקרֹא ֻכ ָּלם ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָע ְבדוֹ שׁ ְ ֶכם So that they all invoke Hashem by name And serve ֶא ָחד׃ .Him with one accord kee AZ eh-POKH el a-MEEM sa-FAH v’-ru-RAH lik-RO khu-LAM b-SHAYM a-do-NAI l’-ov-DO sh’-KHEM e-KHAD י ֵמ ֵע ֶבר ְל ַנ ֲהֵר ּי־כושׁ ֲע ָתַרי ַּב ּת־פו ַצי From beyond the rivers of Cush, My suppliants 10 ִיוֹב ּלון ִמ ְנ ָח ִתי׃ .Shall bring offerings to Me in Fair Puzai יא ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא לֹא ֵתבוֹשׁ ִ י ִמ ּכֹל ֲע ִל ַילֹתִי ְך In that day, You will no longer be shamed for all the 11 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּפשׁ ַ ַע ְּת ִּבי ִּכ ָי־אז ָא ִסיר ִמ ִּקְר ֵּב ְך deeds By which you have defied Me. For then I will ַע ִּל ֵיזי ַּג ֲאָו ֵת ְך ְו ִלֹא־תוֹס ִפי ְל ָג ְב ָהה עוֹד remove The proud and exultant within you, And ְּב ַהר ָק ְדשׁ ִ י׃ .you will be haughty no more On My sacred mount יב ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַאְר ִּתי ְב ִקְר ֵּב ְך ַעם ָע ִני ָו ָדל ְו ָח ּסו ,But I will leave within you A poor, humble folk 12 ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה׃ . And they shall find refuge In the name ofHashem יג שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַלֹא־י ֲע ּשׂו ַעְו ָלה ְולֹא־ The remnant ofYisrael Shall do no wrong And 13 ְי ַד ְּב ּרו ָכָזב ְו ִלֹא־י ָּמ ֵצא ְּב ִפ ֶיהם ְלשׁ וֹן Twelve Prophets speak no falsehood; A deceitful tongue Shall not be ַּתְר ִמית ִּכ ֵי־ה ָּמה ִיְר ּעו ְוָר ְב ּצו ְו ֵאין in their mouths. Only such as these shall graze and ַמ ֲחִריד׃ .lie down, With none to trouble them יד ָר ִנּי ַּב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ָהִר ּיעו ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִשׂ ְמ ִחי !Shout for joy, Fair Tzion, Cry aloud, O Yisrael 14 ְו ָע ְלִזי ְּב ָכ ֵל־לב ַּבת ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ Rejoice and be glad with all your heart, Fair Yerushalayim! טו ֵה ִסיר ְי ָהֹוה ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ַטִי ְך ִּפ ָנּה ְאֹי ֵב ְך ֶמ ֶל ְך Hashem has annulled the judgment against you, He 15 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ִקְר ֵּב ְך ִלֹא־ת ְיר ִאי ָרע has swept away your foes. Yisrael’s Sovereign Hashem עוֹד׃ .is within you; You need fear misfortune no more טז ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֵי ָא ֵמר ִל ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ַא ִּל־ת ָיר ִאי In that day, This shall be said toYerushalayim : Have 16 ִצ ּיוֹן ַא ִל־יְר ּפ ּו ָי ָדִי ְך׃ !no fear, O Tzion; Let not your hands droop יז ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ַלֹהִי ְך ְּב ִקְר ֵּבך ִּג ּבוֹר יוֹשׁ ִ ַיע Your God Hashem is in your midst, A warrior who 17 ָי ִשׂישׂ ָע ַלִי ְך ְּב ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ַי ֲחִרישׁ ְּב ַא ֲה ָבתוֹ brings triumph. He will rejoice over you and be ָי ִגיל ָע ַלִי ְך ְּבִר ָנּה׃ glad, He will shout over you with jubilation. He will soothe with His love a-do-NAI e-lo-HA-yikh b’-kir-BAYKH gi-BOR yo-SHEE-a ya-SEES a-LA-yikh b’- sim-KHAH ya-kha-REESH b’-A-ha-va-TO ya-GIL a-LA-yikh b’-ri-NAH

(Pure of speech The prophet describes how vulgar or shameful words. The Ramban (Exodus 30:13 3:9 שפה ברורה in the future, all the nations of the world will have adds that what makes this language holy is that “it is the Ibn Ezra, among language with which God speaks with His prophets and .(שפה ברורה) pure speech,’ safa b’rurah‘ other commentators, maintains that the pure speech that His nation.” This verse is another incredible example of an Tzefanya promises is the language of Hebrew, and that in obscure prophecy that has come to prominent fruition future times the whole world will begin to learn Hebrew, in our generation, as millions of people all over the world, the language of Creation. is known as both Jews and , are learning Hebrew in order to .the holy language’. The speak lashon hakodesh‘ ,(לשון הקודש) lashon hakodesh Maharal (Deuteronomy 1:23) writes that each language reflects the essence of the nation who speaks it. Since the 3:17 He will shout over you with jubilation. He Jewish people are a holy people, they speak the holy will soothe with His love Tzefanya describes the language, and since it is holy and pure, it contains no result of Hashem’s judgement in triumphant terms.

119 צפניה Tzefanya/Zephaniah פרק ג Chapter 3

יח ּנו ֵגי ִמ ּמ ֵוֹעד ָא ַס ְפ ִּתי ִמ ֵּמ ְך ָה ּיו ַמ ְשׂ ֵאת Those long disconsolate. I will take away from you 18 ָע ֶל ָיה ֶחְר ָּפה׃ .the woe Over which you endured mockery יט ִה ְנ ִני ֶעֹשׂה ֶא ָּת־כ ְל־מ ַע ַנּ ִי ְך ָּב ֵעת ַה ִהיא At that time I will make [an end] Of all who 19 ְוהוֹשׁ ַ ְע ִּתי ֶא ַת־ה ּצ ֵֹל ָעה ְו ַה ִנּ ָ ּד ָחה ֲא ַק ֵּבץ [afflicted you. And I will rescue the lame [sheep ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּתים ִל ְת ִה ָּלה ּו ְלשׁ ֵ ם ְּב ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ And gather the strayed; And I will exchange their ָ ּ ב שׁ ְ ָ ּ ת ם ׃ .disgrace For fame and renown in all the earth כ ָּב ֵעת ַה ִהיא ָא ִביא ֶא ְת ֶכם ּו ָב ֵעת ַק ְּב ִצי At that time I will gather you, And at [that] time 20 ֶא ְת ֶכם ִּכ ֶי־א ֵּתן ֶא ְת ֶכם ְלשׁ ֵ ם ְו ִל ְת ִה ָּלה I will bring you [home]; For I will make you ְּבכֹל ַע ֵּמי ָה ָאֶרץ ְּבשׁ ּו ִבי ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּבו ֵת ֶיכם renowned and famous Among all the peoples on ְל ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה׃ earth, When I restore you fortunes Before their very eyes —said Hashem Twelve Prophets

Having removed evil from the world, He will allow the means that God ‘will be silent in His love.’ This wording remnant of Israel to live safely in its land, knowing that intrigues many. Rashi suggest that the message behind God dwells among the People of Israel in the Land of these words is that in His love, Hashem will be silent Israel. Hashem himself will rejoice and sing when He even should Israel sin again. Sometimes, the greatest sees His people dwelling in the land without fear of evil. demonstration of love in a relationship is when one side .can ignore the shortcomings of the other ,(יחריש באהבתו) The phrase yacharish b’ahavato translated here as ‘He will soothe with His love,’ literally

120

Sefer Chagai The Book of Haggai

The tenth of theTrei Asar, Sefer Chagai (Haggai), is the first book written after the first wave of exiles return toEretz Yisrael in 536 BCE. After the Persian empire defeated the Babylonians, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jewish exiles to return home. Those Jews who returned to their ancestral land did so filled with idealism and hope, but soon the harsh reality of rebuilding their destroyed homes and repairing their scorched fields overtook them. The land was parched, the rains did not fall, and the returnees were barely capable of sustaining themselves. At the same time, the Persian empire was shaken by a series of revolts (522-520 BCE), and the people who had moved into the Land of Israel in their absence began making trouble for the returnees. Into this picture stepped Chagai. He carried a brief, direct message. The people who lived in Israel were not sinners, but they were so concerned with their individual lives, needs and wants that they forgot the primary purpose of the return. The reason the People of Israel were to dwell in the Land of Israel was to proclaim the name of the God of Israel. Instead of concerning themselves with their personal needs, the people must dedicate their efforts to building a second Temple, whereHashem ’s Presence can rest and from there, emanate all over the world. If the People of Israel would recognize the cosmic significance of their actions and efforts, not only would they receive rains of blessing, but they would also affect change the world over. As described inSefer Ezra (chapter 6), Chagai’s efforts were not in vain; through his encouragement and that offered by his contemporary prophetZecharya , the people completed building the Beit Hamikdash and dedicated it in 516 BCE.

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חגי Chagai/Haggai פרק א Chapter 1

א ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת שׁ ְ ַּתִים ְל ָדְרָיֶושׁ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּב ֶחֹדשׁ In the second year of King Darius, on the first day 1 1 א ַהשִּׁ שִּׁ י ְּביוֹם ֶא ָחד ַל ֶחֹדשׁ ָהָיה ְד ַבר־ of the sixth month, this word of Hashem came ְי ָהֹוה ְּבַי ַד־ח ַּגי ַה ָנּ ִביא ֶא ְל־זֻר ָּב ֶבל ֶּבן־ through the Navi Chagai to Zerubavel son of שׁ ְ ַא ְל ִּת ֵיאל ַּפ ַחת ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ֶא ְל־יהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע Shealtiel, the governor of Yehuda, and to Yehoshua ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ֵלאמֹר׃ :son of Yehotzadak, the Kohen Gadol ב ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵלאמֹר ָה ָעם ,Thus said thelord of Hosts: These people say 2 ַהֶ ּזה ָא ְמ ּרו לֹא ֶע ּת־בֹא ֶע ֵּת־בית ְי ָהֹוה The time has not yet come for rebuilding the“ ְל ִה ָּבנוֹת׃ ”.House of Hashem ג ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְּבַי ַד־ח ַּגי ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵלאמֹר׃ And the word of Hashem through the Navi Chagai 3 continued: ד ַה ֵעת ָל ֶכם ַא ֶּתם ָלשׁ ֶ ֶבת ְּב ָב ֵּת ֶיכם Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled 4 ְס ּפו ִנים ְו ַה ַּבִית ַהֶ ּזה ָחֵרב׃ ?houses, while this House is lying in ruins ha-AYT la-KHEM a-TEM la-SHE-vet b’-va-tay-KHEM s’-fu-NEEM v’-ha-BA-yit ha-ZEH kha-RAYV Twelve Prophets ה ְו ַע ָּתה ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִשׂ ּימו Now thus said the lord of Hosts: Consider how 5 ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ַע ַ ּל־דְר ֵכ ֶיכם׃ !you have been faring ו ְזַר ְע ֶּתם ַהְר ֵּבה ְו ָה ֵבא ְמ ָעט ָאכוֹל ְו ֵאין־ You have sowed much and brought in little; you eat 6 ְל ָשׂ ְב ָעה שׁ ָ תוֹ ְו ֵא ְין־לשׁ ָ ְכָרה ָלבוֹשׁ ְו ֵאין־ without being satisfied; you drink without getting ְלחֹם לוֹ ְו ַה ִּמ ְשׂ ַּת ֵּכר ִמ ְשׂ ַּת ֵּכר ֶא ְל־צרוֹר your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one gets ָנ ּקוב׃ warm; and he who earns anything earns it for a leaky purse. ז ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִשׂ ּימו ְל ַב ְב ֶכם Thus said thelord of Hosts: Consider how you 7 ַע ַ ּל־דְר ֵכ ֶיכם׃ :have fared ח ֲע ּלו ָה ָהר ַו ֲה ֵב ֶאתם ֵעץ ּו ְב ּנו ַה ָּבִית Go up to the hills and get timber, and rebuild the 8 ְו ֶאְר ֶצ ּה־בוֹ ואכבד ְ]ו ֶא ָּכ ְב ָדה[ ָא ַמר House; then I will look on it with favor and I will ְי ָהֹוה׃ . be glorified—saidHashem ט ָּפנֹה ֶא ַל־הְר ֵּבה ְו ִה ֵנּה ִל ְמ ָעט ַו ֲה ֵב ֶאתם ;You have been expecting much and getting little 9 ַה ַּבִית ְו ָנ ַפ ְח ִּתי בוֹ ַי ַען ֶמה ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה and when you brought it home, I would blow on ְצ ָבאוֹת ַי ַען ֵּב ִיתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ּר־הוא ָחֵרב ְו ַא ֶּתם .it! Because of what?—says the lord of Hosts ָר ִצים ִאישׁ ְל ֵביתוֹ׃ Because of My House which lies in ruins, while you all hurry to your own houses!

According to some, the panels were .(ספונים) Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled sefunim 1:4 ספונים houses Addressing the Jews who returned to made out of cedar wood, imported from Lebanon. the Land of Israel after seventy years of Babylonian exile, Chagai is accusing the people of not learning from King Chagai’s mission is to motivate them to resume David, who said to the prophet Natan, “Here I am construction of the second Temple. He begins by dwelling in a house of cedar, while the Aron of Hashem challenging them to reflect on their priorities, and to abides in a tent!” (II Samuel 7). David longed to overcome consider what is more important: Their comfort, or that disparity and build the first Beit Hamikdash, while God’s? While they dwell in paneled houses, Hashem’s the Israelites in Chagai’s time are unconcerned. Chagai house lies in ruins. The Hebrew term for ‘paneled’ is tries to break their complacency.

123 חגי Chagai/Haggai פרק ב Chapter 2

י ַע ֵּל־כן ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ָּכ ְל ּאו ָש ַמִים ִמ ָּטל That is why the skies above you have withheld 10 ְו ָה ָאֶרץ ָּכ ְל ָאה ְי ּבו ָל ּה׃ their] moisture and the earth has withheld its] yield, יא ָו ֶא ְקָרא ֶחֹרב ַע ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ְו ַע ֶל־ה ָהִרים —and I have summoned fierce heat upon the land 11 ְו ַע ַל־ה ָ ּד ָגן ְו ַע ַל־ה ִּתירוֹשׁ ְו ַע ַל־הִּי ְצ ָהר upon the hills, upon the new grain and wine and ְו ַעל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ּת ִוֹציא ָה ֲא ָד ָמה ְו ַע ָל־ה ָא ָדם oil, upon all that the ground produces, upon man ְו ַע ַל־ה ְּב ֵה ָמה ְו ַעל ָּכ ְל־י ִג ַיע ַּכ ָּפִים׃ .and beast, and upon all the fruits of labor יב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל ֶּבן־שׁ ַ ְל ִּת ֵיאל ִויהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע Zerubavel son of Shealtiel and the Kohen Gadol 12 ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ְוכֹל שׁ ְ ֵאִרית Yehoshua son of Yehotzadak and all the rest of the ָה ָעם ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְו ַע ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי people gave heed to the summons of Hashem their ַח ַּגי ַה ָנּ ִביא ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ְ ָלחוֹ ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם God and to the words of the Navi Chagai, when ַוִּי ְיר ּאו ָה ָעם ִמ ְּפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ Hashem their God sent him; the people feared Hashem. יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַח ַּגי ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ַמ ְל ֲא ּכות ְי ָהֹוה And Chagai, Hashem’s messenger, fulfilling 13 Hashem’s mission, spoke to the people, “I am with Twelve Prophets ָל ָעם ֵלאמֹר ֲא ִני ִא ְּת ֶכם ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ you—declares Hashem.” יד ַוָּי ַער ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ּת־רו ַח ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל ֶּבן־שׁ ַ ְל ִּת ֵיאל ThenHashem roused the spirit of Zerubavel son of 14 ַּפ ַחת ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ֶא ּת־רו ַח ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֶּבן־ Shealtiel, the governor of Yehuda, and the spirit of ְי ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ְו ֶא ּת־רו ַח ּכֹל the Kohen Gadol Yehoshua son of Yehotzadak, and שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ָה ָעם ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַוַּי ֲע ּשׂו ְמ ָל ָאכה the spirit of all the rest of the people: They came ְּב ֵב ְית־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם׃ and set to work on the House of the lord of Hosts, their God, טו ְּביוֹם ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה ַל ֶחֹדשׁ ַּבשִּׁ שִּׁ י on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. In the 15 ִ ּ ב שׁ ְ ַ נ ת שׁ ְ ַ ּ ת ִ י ם ְל ָ ד ְ ר ָ י ֶ ו שׁ ַה ּ ֶ מ ֶ ל ְ ך ׃ ,second year of King Darius א ַּבשְּׁ ִב ִיעי ְּב ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ֶא ָחד ַל ֶחֹדשׁ ָהָיה on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the 1 2 ב ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְּבַי ַד־ח ַּגי ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵלאמֹר׃ :word of Hashem came through the Navi Chagai ב ֱא ָמ ָר־נא ֶא ְל־זֻר ָּב ֶבל ֶּבן־שׁ ַ ְל ִּת ֵיאל ַּפ ַחת Speak to Zerubavel son of Shealtiel, the governor 2 ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ֶא ְל־יהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן of Yehuda, and to the Kohen Gadol Yehoshua son of ַה ָּגדוֹל ְו ֶאל־שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ָה ָעם ֵלאמֹר׃ :Yehotzadak, and to the rest of the people ג ִמי ָב ֶכם ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָאר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָר ָאה ֶא ַת־ה ַּבִית Who is there left among you who saw this House in 3 ַהֶ ּזה ִּב ְכבוֹדוֹ ָהִראשׁ וֹן ּו ָמה ַא ֶּתם ִרֹאים ?its former splendor? How does it look to you now אֹתוֹ ַע ָּתה ֲהלוֹא ָכ ּמֹהו ְּכ ַאִין ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם׃ .It must seem like nothing to you ד ְו ַע ָּתה ֲחַזק ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ַו ֲחַזק But be strong, O Zerubavel—says Hashem—be 4 ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ַו ֲחַזק ;strong, O Kohen Gadol Yehoshua son of Yehotzadak ָּכ ַל־עם ָה ָאֶרץ ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ַו ֲע ּשׂו ִּכ ֲי־א ִני be strong, all you people of the land—says ִא ְּת ֶכם ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ Hashem—and act! For I am with you—says the lord of Hosts. ה ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־כַר ִּתי ִא ְּת ֶכם ְּב ֵצ ְאת ֶכם ,So I promised you when you came out of Egypt 5 ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ְו ּרו ִחי ֶעֹמ ֶדת ְּב ְתוֹכ ֶכם ַאל־ !and My spirit is still in your midst. Fear not ִּת ָיר ּאו׃ ו ִּכי כֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת עוֹד ַא ַחת For thus said the lord of Hosts: In just a little 6 ְמ ַעט ִהיא ַו ֲא ִני ַמְר ִעישׁ ֶא ַת־השָּׁ ַמִים ,while longer I will shake the heavens and the earth ְו ֶא ָת־ה ָאֶרץ ְו ֶא ַת־הָּים ְו ֶא ֶת־ה ָחָר ָבה׃ ;the sea and the dry land

124 חגי Chagai/Haggai פרק ב Chapter 2

ז ְו ִהְר ַעשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ּו ָב ּאו ֶח ְמ ַ ּדת I will shake all the nations. And the precious things 7 ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ּו ִמ ֵּל ִאתי ֶא ַת־ה ַּבִית ַהֶ ּזה of all the nations shall come [here], and I will fill ָּכבוֹד ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .this House with glory, said the lord of Hosts ח ִלי ַה ֶּכ ֶסף ְו ִלי ַהָ ּז ָהב ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ Silver is Mine and gold is Mine—says the lord 8 of Hosts. ט ָּגדוֹל ִי ְהֶיה ְּכבוֹד ַה ַּבִית ַהֶ ּזה ָה ַא ֲחרוֹן The glory of this latter House shall be greater than 9 ִמ ָן־הִראשׁ וֹן ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ;that of the former one, said the lord of Hosts ּו ַב ָּמקוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ֶא ֵּתן שׁ ָ לוֹם ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה and in this place I will grant prosperity—declares ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .the lord of Hosts ga-DOL yih-YEH k’-VOD ha-BA-yit ha-ZEH ha-a-kha-RON min HA-ri-SHON a-MAR a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT u-va-ma-KOM ha-ZEH e-TAYN sha-LOM n’-UM a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT י ְּב ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה ַל ְּתשׁ ִ ִיעי ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת ,[On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth [month 10 שׁ ְ ַּתִים ְל ָדְרָיֶושׁ ָהָיה ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ַל־ח ַּגי in the second year of Darius, the word of Hashem

ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵלאמֹר׃ :Twelve Prophets came to the Navi Chagai יא ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת שׁ ְ ַא ָל־נא ֶאת־ Thus said thelord of Hosts: Seek a ruling from 11 ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ּת ָוֹרה ֵלאמֹר׃ :the Kohanim, as follows יב ֵהן ִי ָּשׂ ִא־אישׁ ְּב ַשׂ ֶר־קֹדשׁ ִּב ְכ ַנף ִּב ְגדוֹ If a man is carrying sacrificial flesh in a fold of his 12 ְו ָנ ַגע ִּב ְכ ָנפוֹ ֶא ַל־ה ֶּל ֶחם ְו ֶא ַל־ה ָנּ ִזיד ְו ֶאל־ ,garment, and with that fold touches bread, stew ַהַּיִין ְו ֶאל־שׁ ֶ ֶמן ְו ֶא ָּל־כ ַל־מ ֲא ָכל ֲהִי ְק ָ ּדשׁ wine, oil, or any other food, will the latter become ַוַּי ֲע ּנו ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו לֹא׃ ”.holy? In reply, the Kohanim said, “No יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַח ַּגי ִא ִם־י ַּגע ְט ֵמ ֶא־נ ֶפשׁ ְּב ָכל־ Chagai went on, “If someone defiled by a corpse 13 ֵא ֶּלה ֲהִי ְט ָמא ַוַּי ֲע ּנו ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו touches any of these, will it be defiled?” And the ִי ְט ָמא׃ ”.Kohanim responded, “Yes יד ַוַּי ַען ַח ַּגי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵּכן ָה ָע ַם־הֶ ּזה ְו ֵכ ַן־ה ּגוֹי ThereuponChagai said: That is how this people 14 ַהֶ ּזה ְל ָפ ַני ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְו ֵכן ָּכ ַל־מ ֲע ֵשׂה and that is how this nation looks to Me—declares ְי ֵד ֶיהם ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ְקִר ּיבו שׁ ָ ם ָט ֵמא ּהוא׃ :Hashem—and so, too, the work of their hands Whatever they offer there is defiled. טו ְו ַע ָּתה ִשׂ ּימו ָ־נא ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ִמ ַן־ה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה :And now take thought, from this day backward 15 ָו ָמ ְע ָלה ִמ ֶּטֶרם ּשׂו ֶם־א ֶבן ֶא ֶל־א ֶבן As long as no stone had been laid on another in ְּב ֵה ַיכל ְי ָהֹוה׃ ,the House of Hashem v’-a-TAH SEE-mu NA l’-vav-KHEM min ha-YOM ha-ZEH va-MA-lah mi-TE-rem sum E-ven el E-ven b’-hay-KHAL a-do-NAI

2:9 And in this place I will grant prosperity 8:29, 30), and specifically refers toYerushalayim (see Chagai prophesies of a time when all the for example II Kings 22:16). This promise of peace in nations of the world will recognize Hashem, Whose Yerushalayim corresponds with the tradition that glory rests on the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim Yerushalayim is the city of peace, and is reflected in Chagai promises that “in this place I will the Hebrew name of the city. Yerushalayim is derived .(ירושלים) an‘ ,(ירוש-שלום) translated here as ‘prosperity’ from two words, yerush — shalom ”,(שלום) grant shalom but generally meaning ‘peace’. The word makom inheritance of peace.’ place,’ often refers to a sacred place that God‘ ,(מקום) ,Jerusalem city of peace 2:15 No stone had been laid on another in the chooses (see for example Deuteronomy 12:5, 1 Kings House of Hashem In this verse, the prophet

125 חגי Chagai/Haggai פרק ב Chapter 2

טז ִמ ְה ָיוֹתם ָּבא ֶא ֲל־עֵר ַמת ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ָהְי ָתה if one came to a heap of twenty measures, it would 16 ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ָּבא ֶא ַל־הֶּי ֶקב ַל ְחשֹׂף ֲח ִמשִּׁ ים yield only ten; and if one came to a wine vat to ּפ ּוָרה ְו ָהְי ָתה ֶע ְשׂ ִרים׃ skim off fifty measures, the press would yield only twenty. יז ִה ֵּכ ִיתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ַּבשִּׁ ָ ּדפוֹן ּו ַבֵּיָרקוֹן ּו ַב ָּבָרד I struck you—all the works of your hands—with 17 ֵאת ָּכ ַל־מ ֲע ֵשׂה ְי ֵד ֶיכם ְו ֵא ֶין־א ְת ֶכם ֵא ַלי blight and mildew and hail, but you did not return ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .to Me—declares Hashem יח ִשׂ ּימו ָ־נא ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ִמ ַן־ה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ָו ָמ ְע ָלה Take note, from this day forward—from the 18 ִמ ּיוֹם ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה ַל ְּתשׁ ִ ִיעי ְל ִמן־ twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the ַה ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ֻר־י ַּסד ֵה ַיכ ְל־י ָהֹוה ִשׂ ּימו day when the foundation was laid for Hashem’s ְל ַב ְב ֶכם׃ Temple—take note יט ַהעוֹד ַהֶ ּזַרע ַּב ְּמ ּגוָרה ְו ַע ַד־ה ֶּג ֶפן ,while the seed is still in the granary, and the vine 19 ְו ַה ְּת ֵא ָנה ְו ָהִר ּמוֹן ְו ֵעץ ַהַ ּזִית לֹא ָנ ָשׂא fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree have not ִמ ַן־ה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ֲא ָבֵר ְך׃ yet borne fruit. For from this day on I will send

blessings. Twelve Prophets כ ַוְי ִהי ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה שׁ ֵ ִנית ֶא ַל־ח ַּגי ְּב ֶע ְשׂ ִרים And the word of Hashem came to Chagai a second 20 ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה ַל ֶחֹדשׁ ֵלאמֹר׃ :time on the twenty-fourth day of the month כא ֱאמֹר ֶא ְל־זֻר ָּב ֶבל ַּפ ַח ְת־י ּהו ָדה ֵלאמֹר Speak to Zerubavel the governor of Yehuda: I am 21 ֲא ִני ַמְר ִעישׁ ֶא ַת־השָּׁ ַמִים ְו ֶא ָת־ה ָאֶרץ׃ .going to shake the heavens and the earth כב ְו ָה ַפ ְכ ִּתי ִּכ ֵּסא ַמ ְמ ָלכוֹת ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַמ ְד ִּתי And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and 22 ֶחֹזק ַמ ְמ ְלכוֹת ַה ּג ִוֹים ְו ָה ַפ ְכ ִּתי ֶמְר ָּכ ָבה .destroy the might of the kingdoms of the nations ְו ְרֹכ ֶב ָיה ְוָיְר ּדו ּסו ִסים ְו ְרֹכ ֵב ֶיהם ִאישׁ I will overturn chariots and their drivers. Horses ְּב ֶחֶרב ָא ִחיו׃ and their riders shall fall, each by the sword of his fellow. כג ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֶא ָּק ֲח ָך On that day—declares the lord of Hosts—I will 23 ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל ֶּבן־שׁ ְ ַא ְל ִּת ֵיאל ַע ְב ִ ּדי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה —take you, O My servant Zerubavel son of Shealtiel ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ָיך ַּכ ָחוֹתם ִּכ ְי־ב ָך ָב ַחְר ִּתי ְנ ֻאם declares Hashem—and make you as a signet; for I ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .have chosen you—declares the lord of Hosts

addresses the masons’ job of laying bricks to build the Nation of Israel, from the very beginning to this very Beit Hamikdash, but it is likely that he is also speaking day’ — I would not think of any other time other than metaphorically about laying the “bricks” that “construct” Moses and the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. … society. Yitzchak Navon (1921-2015), a leading Israeli But other than that, there is no more important period diplomat and playwright and Israel’s fifth president, in the history of Israel, more interesting, and also tragic, wrote beautifully about contributing “bricks” to the like the redemption after two thousand years in exile. building of the State of Israel: “The angel Gabriel, To be born at such a historical point in time! I’m glad according to tradition, is responsible for the ferrying of that is what happened, and I could say, in this colossal President Yitzchak souls in the Land of Israel. If Gabriel came to me and endeavor called the State of Israel, I too contributed a Navon (1921-2015) said, ‘Look, I’m willing to take your soul now and give it brick to this important wall.” back to you at any period of time in the history of the

126 Sefer Zecharya The Book of Zechariah

The eleventh of theTrei Asar, Sefer Zecharya (Zechariah), is one of the most esoteric books of the Bible. It is the second of the three books written during the period of return to the Land of Israel after the Persians defeated the Babylonians in 538 BCE. Several of Zecharya’s prophecies are dated to the second and fourth years of the reign of Darius (520 and 518 BCE), at the time when the construction of the second Beit Hamikdash had begun in earnest under the Persian-appointed governor Zerubbabel. As such, it is not surprising that many of the visions in the book describe the significance of the Temple and its reconstruction, and how it could potentially allow divine sovereignty to spread throughout the world. We know more about Zecharya than we do most other prophets. Like Yechezkel and Yirmiyahu, he was a priest, and his grandfather, Ido, is mentioned among the Kohanim in Ezra chapter 5 and Nechemya chapter 12. His contemporaries include the prophet Chagai, who began prophesying two months before him, and the high priest Yehoshua. However, his message differs from that ofChagai , whose single-minded focus was the encouragement of the Jewish people to build the Temple, so that Hashem’s rule could spread over the world. To this message, Zecharya adds a religious and moral dimension. He encourages the people to repent, emphasizes that God’s rule stands in contrast to military might — “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit” (4:6) — and stresses that ritual fast days have no value unless accompanied by spiritual improvement.

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זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק א Chapter 1

א ַּב ֶחֹדשׁ ַהשְּׁ ִמ ִיני ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת שׁ ְ ַּתִים ְל ָדְרָיֶושׁ ,In the eighth month of the second year of Darius 1 1 א ָהָיה ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ְל־ז ַכְרָיה ֶּב ֶּן־בֶר ְכָיה ֶּבן־ this word of Hashem came to the Navi Zecharya son ִע ּדוֹ ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵלאמֹר׃ :of Berechya son of Ido ב ָק ַצף ְי ָהֹוה ַע ֲל־א ֵבוֹת ֶיכם ָק ֶצף׃ .Hashem was very angry with your fathers 2 ג ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ֲא ֵל ֶהם ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת :Say to them further: Thus said thelord of Hosts 3 שׁ ּו ּבו ֵא ַלי ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ָאשׁ ּוב Turn back to me—says the lord of Hosts—and I ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .will turn back to you—said the lord of Hosts ד ַא ִּל־ת ְה ּיו ַכ ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָקְר ּאו־ Do not be like your fathers! For when the earlier 4 ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ָהִראשׁ ִֹנים ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה Neviim called to them, “Thus said thelord of ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת שׁ ּו ּבו ָנא ִמ ַ ּדְר ֵכ ֶיכם Hosts: Come, turn back from your evil ways and ָהָר ִעים ומעליליכם ּ]ו ַמ ֲע ְל ֵל ֶיכם[ your evil deeds, they did not obey or give heed to ָהָר ִעים ְולֹא שׁ ָ ְמ ּעו ְו ִלֹא־ה ְקשׁ ִ ּיבו ֵא ַלי .Me—declares Hashem ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ ה ֲא ֵבוֹת ֶיכם ַאֵּי ֵה־הם ְו ַה ְנּ ִב ִאים ַה ְל ָעוֹלם Where are your fathers now? And did the Neviim 5 ִי ְח ּיו׃ Twelve Prophets live forever ו ַא ְך ְ ּד ָבַרי ְו ֻח ַּקי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצִּו ִיתי ֶא ֲת־ע ָב ַדי But the warnings and the decrees with which I 6 ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ֲהלוֹא ִה ִּשׂ ּיגו ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם ַוָּישׁ ּו ּבו charged My servants the Neviim overtook your ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָז ַמם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת fathers—did they not?—and in the end they had ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ָל ּנו ִּכ ְדָר ֵכ ּינו ּו ְכ ַמ ֲע ָל ֵל ּינו ֵּכן to admit, ‘Hashem has dealt with us according to ָע ָשׂה ִא ָּת ּנו׃ ”’.our ways and our deeds, just as He purposed ז ְּביוֹם ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה ְל ַעשׁ ְ ֵּת ָי־ע ָשׂר On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month of 7 ֶחֹדשׁ ּהו ֶא־חֹדשׁ שׁ ְ ָבט ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת שׁ ְ ַּתִים —the second year of Darius—the month of Shevat ְל ָדְרָיֶושׁ ָהָיה ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ְל־ז ַכְרָיה ֶּבן־ this word of Hashem came to the Navi Zecharya son ֶּבֶר ְכָי ּהו ֶּב ִן־ע ּדוֹא ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵלאמֹר׃ :of Berechya son of Ido ח ָר ִא ִיתי ַה ַּלְי ָלה ְו ִה ֵנּ ִה־אישׁ ֵרֹכב ַע ּל־סוס In the night, I had a vision. I saw a man, mounted 8 ָאדֹם ְו ּהוא ֵעֹמד ֵּבין ַה ֲה ַד ִּסים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר on a bay horse, standing among the myrtles in the ַּב ְּמ ֻצ ָלה ְו ַא ֲחָריו ּסו ִסים ֲא ֻד ִּמים ְשׂ ֻר ִּקים Deep, and behind him were bay, sorrel, and white ּו ְל ָב ִנים׃ .horses ט ָו ַאֹמר ָמ ֵה־א ֶּלה ֲא ִדֹני ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי I asked, “What are those, my lord?” And the angel 9 ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ֲא ִני ַאְר ֶא ָּך ָמ ֵה־ה ָּמה who talked with me answered, “I will let you know ֵא ֶּלה׃ ”.what they are י ַוַּי ַען ָה ִאישׁ ָה ֵעֹמד ֵּב ַין־ה ַה ַד ִּסים ַו ּי ַֹאמר Then the man who was standing among the 10 ֵא ֶּלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַלח ְי ָהֹוה ְל ִה ְת ַה ֵּל ְך ָּב ָאֶרץ׃ myrtles spoke up and said, “These were sent out by Hashem to roam the earth.” יא ַוַּי ֲע ּנו ֶא ַת־מ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ָה ֵעֹמד ֵּבין And in fact, they reported to the angel of Hashem 11 ַה ֲה ַד ִּסים ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ִה ְת ַה ַּל ְכ ּנו ָב ָאֶרץ ְו ִה ֵנּה who was standing among the myrtles, “We have ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ יֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ְושׁ ָֹק ֶטת׃ roamed the earth, and have found all the earth dwelling in tranquility.” יב ַוַּי ַען ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְ־י ָהֹוה ַו ּי ַֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת Thereupon the angel ofHashem exclaimed, “O 12 ַע ָד־מ ַתי ַא ָּתה ְלֹא־תַר ֵחם ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם lord of Hosts! How long will You withhold ְו ֵאת ָעֵרי ְי ּהו ָדה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָז ַע ְמ ָּתה ֶזה ,pardon from Yerushalayim and the towns of Yehuda שׁ ִ ְב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה׃ ”?which You placed under a curse seventy years ago

129 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ב Chapter 2

יג ַוַּי ַען ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ְ ּד ָבִרים Hashem replied with kind, comforting words to the 13 ִטוֹבים ְ ּד ָבִרים ִנ ֻח ִמים׃ .angel who talked with me יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ְקָרא :Then the angel who talked with me said to me 14 ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִק ֵנּ ִאתי Proclaim! Thus said thelord of Hosts: I am very“ ִל ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ּו ְל ִצ ּיוֹן ִק ְנ ָאה ְג ָדוֹלה׃ —jealous for Yerushalayim—for Tzion טו ְו ֶק ֶצף ָּגדוֹל ֲא ִני ֵקֹצף ַע ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים and I am very angry with those nations that are at 15 ַהשַּׁ ֲא ַנ ִנּים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲא ִני ָק ַצ ְפ ִּתי ְּמ ָעט ease; for I was only angry a little, but they overdid ְו ֵה ָּמה ָעְז ּרו ְלָר ָעה׃ .the punishment טז ָל ֵכן ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ַ ְב ִּתי ִל ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם Assuredly, thus said Hashem: I graciously return 16 ְּבַר ֲח ִמים ֵּב ִיתי ִי ָּב ֶנה ָּב ּה ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה —to Yerushalayim. My House shall be built in her ְצ ָבאוֹת וקוה ְ]ו ָקו[ ִי ָנּ ֶטה ַע ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ declares the lord of Hosts—the measuring line is being applied to Yerushalayim. יז עוֹד ְקָרא ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת :Proclaim further: Thus said thelord of Hosts 17 עוֹד ְּת ּפו ֶצ ָינה ָעַרי ִמ ּטוֹב ְו ִנ ַחם ְי ָהֹוה My towns shall yet overflow with bounty. For Twelve Prophets עוֹד ֶא ִת־צ ּיוֹן ּו ָב ַחר עוֹד ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ Hashem will again comfort Tzion; He will choose Yerushalayim again.” OD k’-RA lay-MOR KOH a-MAR a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT OD t’-fu-TZE-nah a-RAI mi-TOV v’-ni-KHAM a-do-NAI OD et tzi-YON u-va-KHAR OD bee-ru-sha-LA-im א ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ֶא ֵת־ע ַיני ָו ֵאֶרא ְו ִה ֵנּה ַאְר ַּבע .I looked up, and I saw four horns 1 2 ב ְקָרנוֹת׃ ב ָו ַאֹמר ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ָמ ֵה־א ֶּלה I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are 2 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ֵא ֶּלה ַה ְּקָרנוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵז ּרו those?” “Those,” he replied, “are the horns that ֶא ְת־י ּהו ָדה ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּירושׁ ָ ָלם׃ ”.tossed Yehuda, Yisrael, and Yerushalayim ג ַוַּיְר ֵא ִני ְי ָהֹוה ַאְר ָּב ָעה ָחָרשׁ ִ ים׃ .ThenHashem showed me four smiths 3 ד ָו ַאֹמר ָמה ֵא ֶּלה ָב ִאים ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר :What are they coming to do?” I asked. He replied“ 4 ֵלאמֹר ֵא ֶּלה ַה ְּקָרנוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־ז ּרו ֶאת־ Those are the horns that tossedYehuda , so that“ ְי ּהו ָדה ְּכ ִפ ִי־אישׁ ָלֹא־נ ָשׂא רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוָּי ּבֹאו no man could raise his head; and these men have ֵא ֶּלה ְל ַה ֲחִריד ָאֹתם ְלַי ּדוֹת ֶא ַת־קְרנוֹת come to throw them into a panic, to hew down the ַה ּג ִוֹים ַה ְנֹּשׂ ִאים ֶקֶרן ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ְי ּהו ָדה horns of the nations that raise a horn against the ְל ָזרוֹ ָת ּה׃ ”.land of Yehuda, to toss it ה ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ֵע ַיני ָו ֵאֶרא ְו ִה ֵנּ ִה־אישׁ ּו ְבָידוֹ I looked up, and I saw a man holding a measuring 5 ֶח ֶבל ִמ ָ ּדה׃ .line

1:17 My towns shall yet overflow with bounty shall yet overflow with bounty. For Hashem will again The prophet Zecharya lives at a very exciting time comfort Tzion, He will choose Yerushalayim again.” in , when the Persian King Darius allows his According to many commentators, such as Malbim and Jewish subjects to return to Yerushalayim and rebuild the Metzudat David, these prophecies apply not only to the Beit Hamikdash. While there are some who heed the call, time of Zecharya, but also to the days of the future many do not respond with the proper enthusiasm. redemption. Recent years have begun to see the Zecharya tries to encourage the Children of Israel to return fulfillment of these prophecies, as many cities in Israel by reiterating God’s promises and blessings regarding the flourish again, and God has chosen Yerushalayim by Land of Israel. In this verse, Hashem promises, “My towns returning His children to the holy city.

130 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ב Chapter 2

ו ָו ַאֹמר ָא ָנה ַא ָּתה ֵהֹל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ָלמֹד Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure“ 6 ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִלְראוֹת ַּכ ָּמ ָה־ר ְח ָּב ּה ְו ַכ ָּמה Yerushalayim,” he replied, “to see how long and ָאְר ָּכ ּה׃ ”.wide it is to be ז ְו ִה ֵנּה ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ֵיֹצא ּו ַמ ְל ָא ְך ,But the angel who talked with me came forward 7 ַא ֵחר ֵיֹצא ִל ְקָראתוֹ׃ .and another angel came forward to meet him ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָלו ֻרץ ַ ּד ֵּבר ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ַה ָּלז The former said to him, “Run to that young man 8 ֵלאמֹר ְּפָרזוֹת ֵּתשׁ ֵ ב ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ֵמרֹב ָא ָדם and tell him: “Yerushalayim shall be peopled as a ּו ְב ֵה ָמה ְּב ָתוֹכ ּה׃ city without walls, so many shall be the men and cattle it contains. ט ַו ֲא ִני ֶא ְהֶי ָּה־ל ּה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ַחוֹמת ֵאשׁ And I Myself—declares Hashem—will be a wall of 9 ָס ִביב ּו ְל ָכבוֹד ֶא ְהֶיה ְב ָתוֹכ ּה׃ .fire all around it, and I will be a glory inside it י הוֹי הוֹי ְו ֻנ ּסו ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ָצפוֹן ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ִּכי Away, away! Flee from the land of the north—says“ 10 ְּכ ַאְר ַּבע ּרוחוֹת ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ֵּפַר ְשׂ ִּתי ֶא ְת ֶכם Hashem—though I swept you [there] like the four ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ ”.winds of heaven—declares Hashem Twelve Prophets יא הוֹי ִצ ּיוֹן ִה ָּמ ְל ִטי יוֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ַּב ָּת־ב ֶבל׃ Away, escape, O Tzion, you who dwell in Fair 11 Babylon! יב ִּכי כֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַא ַחר ָּכבוֹד For thus said the lord of Hosts—He who sent 12 שׁ ְ ָל ַח ִני ֶא ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ַהשּׁ ְֹל ִלים ֶא ְת ֶכם ִּכי me after glory—concerning the nations that have ַה ֵנֹּג ַע ָּב ֶכם ֵנֹג ַע ְּב ָב ַבת ֵעינוֹ׃ taken you as spoil: “Whoever touches you touches the pupil of his own eye. יג ִּכי ִה ְנ ִני ֵמ ִניף ֶא ָת־י ִדי ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְו ָה ּיו שׁ ָ ָלל For I will lift My hand against them, and they shall 13 ְל ַע ְב ֵד ֶיהם ִו ַיד ְע ֶּתם ִּכ ְי־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת be spoil for those they enslaved.”—Then you shall שׁ ְ ָ ל ָ ח ִ נ י ׃ .know that I was sent by the lord of Hosts יד ָר ִנּי ְו ִשׂ ְמ ִחי ַּב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ִּכי ִה ְנ ִנ ָי־בא Shout for joy, Fair Tzion! For lo, I come; and I will 14 ְושׁ ָ ַכ ְנ ִּתי ְב ֵתוֹכ ְך ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .dwell in your midst—declares Hashem טו ְו ִנ ְל ּוו ִגוֹים ַר ִּבים ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא In that day many nations will attach themselves to 15 ְו ָה ּיו ִלי ְל ָעם ְושׁ ָ ַכ ְנ ִּתי ְב ֵתוֹכ ְך ְוָי ַד ַע ְּת ִּכי־ Hashem and become His people, and He will dwell ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת שׁ ְ ָל ַח ִני ֵא ָלִי ְך׃ in your midst. Then you will know that I was sent to you by the lord of Hosts. טז ְו ָנ ַחל ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְת־י ּהו ָדה ֶח ְלקוֹ ַעל Hashem will take Yehuda to Himself as His 16 ַא ְד ַמת ַה ּק ֶֹדשׁ ּו ָב ַחר עוֹד ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ portion in the Holy Land, and He will choose Yerushalayim once more. v’-na-KHAL a-do-NAI et y’-hu-DAH khel-KO AL ad-MAT ha-KO-desh u-va- KHAR OD bee-ru-sha-LA-im

And He will choose Yerushalayim once Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach explained that the name 2:16 ירושלים more There are many explanations of the Yerushalayim, therefore, means complete, self-effacing יראה the Hebrew name for awe; completely submitting oneself to God. The holy city ,(ירושלים) meaning of Yerushalayim שלם Jerusalem. According to the Sages, the name Yerushalayim is special and beloved to man because God loves it so .Yirah much. This is also how we relate to the entire Land of Israel .(שלם) and Shalem (יראה) Rabbi Sholom comes from the words Yirah Carlebach (1925-1994) is the Hebrew word for ‘awe’, and shalem means ‘complete’. We love it because He loves it.

131 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ג Chapter 3

יז ַהס ָּכ ָּל־ב ָשׂר ִמ ְּפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ִּכי ֵנעוֹר ִמ ְּמעוֹן Be silent, all flesh, beforeHashem ! For He is roused 17 ָ ק ְ ד שׁ ֹ ו ׃ .from His holy habitation א ַוַּיְר ֵא ִני ֶא ְת־יהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ֵעֹמד ,He further showed me Yehoshua, the Kohen Gadol 1 3 ג ִל ְפ ֵני ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ְו ַה ָּשׂ ָטן ֵעֹמד ַעל־ standing before the angel of Hashem, and the ְי ִמינוֹ ְל ִשׂ ְטנוֹ׃ .Accuser standing at his right to accuse him ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַל־ה ָּשׂ ָטן ִי ְג ַער ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ָך ,But [the angel of] Hashem said to the Accuser 2 ַה ָּשׂ ָטן ְוִי ְג ַער ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ָך ַה ּב ֵֹחר ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם Hashem rebuke you, O Accuser; may Hashem who“ ֲהלוֹא ֶזה ּאוד ֻמ ָּצל ֵמ ֵאשׁ ׃ has chosen Yerushalayim rebuke you! For this is a brand plucked from the fire.” ג ִויהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ָהָיה ָל ֻבשׁ ְּב ָג ִדים ִצוֹאים ְו ֵעֹמד Now Yehoshua was clothed in filthy garments when 3 ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך׃ .he stood before the angel ד ַוַּי ַען ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ָל־ה ְעֹמ ִדים ְל ָפ ָניו ֵלאמֹר ,The latter spoke up and said to his attendants 4 ָה ִס ּירו ַה ְּב ָג ִדים ַה ּצ ִֹאים ֵמ ָע ָליו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר Take the filthy garments off him!” And he said to“ ֵא ָליו ְר ֵאה ֶה ֱע ַבְר ִּתי ֵמ ָע ֶל ָיך ֲע ֶוׂנ ָך him, “See, I have removed your guilt from you, and Twelve Prophets ְו ַה ְל ֵּבשׁ ְאֹת ָך ַמ ֲח ָלצוֹת׃ ”.you shall be clothed in [priestly] robes ה ָו ַאֹמר ָי ִשׂ ּימו ָצ ִניף ָטהוֹר ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ Then he gave the order, “Let a pure diadem be 5 ַוָּי ִשׂ ּימו ַה ָּצ ִניף ַה ָּטהוֹר ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ placed on his head.” And they placed the pure ַוַּי ְל ִּבשׁ ֻ ּהו ְּב ָג ִדים ּו ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ֵעֹמד׃ [diadem on his head and clothed him in [priestly garments, as the angel of Hashem stood by. ו ַוָּי ַעד ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ִּביהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֵלאמֹר׃ And the angel of Hashem charged Yehoshua as 6 follows: ז ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִא ִּם־ב ְדָר ַכי ֵּת ֵל ְך Thus said thelord of Hosts: If you walk in My“ 7 ְו ִאם ֶא ִת־משׁ ְ ַמְר ִּתי ִתשׁ ְ מֹר ְו ַג ַם־א ָּתה paths and keep My charge, you in turn will rule ָּת ִדין ֶא ֵּת־ב ִיתי ְו ַגם ִּתשׁ ְ מֹר ֶא ֲת־ח ֵצָרי My House and guard My courts, and I will permit ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי ְל ָך ַמ ְה ְל ִכים ֵּבין ָה ְעֹמ ִדים .you to move about among these attendants ָה ֵא ֶּלה׃ koh a-MAR a-do-NAI tz’-va-OT im bid-ra-KHAI tay-LAYKH v’-IM et mish-mar- TEE tish-MOR v’-gam a-TAH ta-DEEN et bay-TEE v’-GAM tish-MOR et kha- tzay-RAI v’-na-ta-TEE l’-KHA mah-l’-KHEEM BAYN ha-o-m’-DEEM ha-AY-leh ח שׁ ְ ַמ ָע־נא ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ָּגדוֹל ַא ָּתה Hearken well, O High Priest Yehoshua, you and 8 ְוֵר ֶע ָיך ַה ּיֹשׁ ְ ִבים ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ִּכ ַי־א ְנשׁ ֵ י ֵמוֹפת your fellow Kohanim sitting before you! For those ֵה ָּמה ִּכ ִי־ה ְנ ִני ֵמ ִביא ֶא ַת־ע ְב ִ ּדי ֶצ ַמח׃ men are a sign that I am going to bring My servant the Branch.

3:7 And I will permit you to move about among vision, implying that Yehoshua will be granted the ability these attendants In this chapter, Yehoshua the to engage in direct communion with Hashem, just as the Kohen Gadol (‘High Priest’) has his dirty clothes removed, angels do. Some, however, interpret this to mean that symbolic of the removal of his sins. Yehoshua is told that if Yehoshua will be given the right to enter Israel’s most he walks in the ways of Hashem and follows His sacred spot — the Holy of Holies in the Beit Hamikdash in commandments, he will be allowed to “move about these Yerushalayim, where the Kohen Gadol would enter once a attendants.” These attendants refers to the angels in the year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).

132 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ד Chapter 4

ט ִּכי ִה ֵנּה ָה ֶא ֶבן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ַת ִּתי ִל ְפ ֵני ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע For mark well this stone which I place before 9 ַע ֶל־א ֶבן ַא ַחת שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ֵע ָינִים ִה ְנ ִני Yehoshua, a single stone with seven eyes. I will ְמ ַפ ֵּת ַח ִּפ ֻּת ָח ּה ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת execute its engraving—declares the lord of ּו ַמשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶא ֲת־עוׂן ָה ָאֶר ַץ־ה ִהיא ְּביוֹם Hosts—and I will remove that country’s guilt in a ֶא ָחד׃ .single day י ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִּת ְקְר ּאו In that day—declares the lord of Hosts—you 10 ִאישׁ ְלֵר ֵע ּהו ֶא ַּל־ת ַחת ֶּג ֶפן ְו ֶא ַּל־ת ַחת will be inviting each other to the shade of vines and ְּת ֵא ָנה׃ ”.fig trees א ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ַוְי ִע ֵיר ִני ְּכ ִאישׁ The angel who talked with me came back and woke 1 4 ד ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־יעוֹר ִמשְּׁ ָנתוֹ׃ .me as a man is wakened from sleep ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ָמה ַא ָּתה ֶרֹאה ויאמר He said to me, “What do you see?” And I 2 ָ]ו ַאֹמר[ ָר ִא ִיתי ְו ִה ֵנּה ְמ ַנוֹרת ָז ָהב ֻּכ ָּל ּה answered, “I see a menorah all of gold, with a bowl ְו ֻג ָּל ּה ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ ּה ְושׁ ִ ְב ָעה ֵנ ֶרֹת ָיה ָע ֶל ָיה above it. The lamps on it are seven in number, and שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ְושׁ ִ ְב ָעה ּמו ָצקוֹת ַל ֵנּרוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ;the lamps above it have seven pipes

ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ ּה׃ Twelve Prophets va-YO-mer ay-LAI MAH a-TAH ro-EH va-o-MAR ra-EE-tee v’-hi-NAY m’-no-RAT za-HAV ku-LAH v’-gu-LAH al ro-SHAH v’-shiv-AH nay-ro-TE-ha a-LE-ha shiv- AH v’-shiv-AH mu-tza-KOT la-nay-ROT a-SHER al ro-SHAH ג ּושׁ ְ ַנִים ֵז ִיתים ָע ֶל ָיה ֶא ָחד ִמ ִימין ַה ֻּג ָּלה and by it are two olive trees, one on the right of the 3 ְו ֶא ָחד ַע ְל־שׂ ָמֹאל ּה׃ ”.bowl and one on its left ד ָו ַא ַען ָו ַאֹמר ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ,I, in turn, asked the angel who talked with me 4 ֵלאמֹר ָמ ֵה־א ֶּלה ֲא ִדֹני׃ ”?What do those things mean, my lord“ ה ַוַּי ַען ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי Do you not know what those things mean?” asked“ 5 ֲהלוֹא ָי ַד ְע ָּת ָמ ֵה־ה ָּמה ֵא ֶּלה ָו ַאֹמר לֹא the angel who talked with me; and I said, “No, my ֲא ִדֹני׃ ”.lord ו ַוַּי ַען ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר ֶזה ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה Then he explained to me as follows: “This is the 6 ֶא ְל־זֻר ָּב ֶבל ֵלאמֹר לֹא ְב ַחִיל ְולֹא ְב ַכֹח ִּכי word of Hashem to Zerubavel: Not by might, nor by ִא ְּם־ב ּרו ִחי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .power, but by My spirit—said the lord of Hosts ז ִמ ַי־א ָּתה ַה ַר־ה ָּגדוֹל ִל ְפ ֵני ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל Whoever you are, O great mountain in the path 7 ְל ִמישׁ ֹר ְו ִהוֹציא ֶא ָת־ה ֶא ֶבן ָהרֹאשׁ ָ ה of Zerubavel, turn into level ground! For he shall ְּתשׁ ֻ אוֹת ֵחן ֵחן ָל ּה׃ produce that excellent stone; it shall be greeted with shouts of ‘Beautiful! Beautiful!’” ח ַוְי ִהי ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר׃ :And the word of Hashem came to me 8

4:2 A menorah all of gold The Sages refer to Sanctuary. These windows were made narrower on the Yerushalyim as ‘the light of the world,’ ohro shel inside, bringing less sunlight into the Sanctuary, but The symbol of this holy spiritual maximizing the spiritual light that burst forth to the .(אורו של עולם) olam which world. This is symbolic of Israel’s mission to be a “light ,(מנורה) light was the Temple lamp, the menorah Replica of the emanated light through the unusual windows of the of nations” (Isaiah 42:6). Temple menorah

133 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ה Chapter 5

ט ְי ֵדי ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל ִי ְּס ּדו ַה ַּבִית ַהֶ ּזה ְוָי ָדיו Zerubavel’s hands have founded this House and“ 9 ְּת ַב ַּצ ְע ָנה ְוָי ַד ְע ָּת ִּכ ְי־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת Zerubavel’s hands shall complete it. Then you shall שׁ ְ ָל ַח ִני ֲא ֵל ֶיכם׃ know that it was the lord of Hosts who sent me to you. י ִּכי ִמי ַבז ְליוֹם ְק ַטנּוֹת ְו ָשׂ ְמ ּחו ְוָר ּאו ?Does anyone scorn a day of small beginnings 10 ֶא ָת־ה ֶא ֶבן ַה ְּב ִדיל ְּבַיד ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל שׁ ִ ְב ָעה־ When they see the stone of distinction in the hand ֵא ֶּלה ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה ֵה ָּמה ְמשׁ ְוֹט ִטים ְּב ָכל־ of Zerubavel, they shall rejoice. “Those seven are ָה ָאֶרץ׃ ”.the eyes of Hashem, ranging over the whole earth יא ָו ַא ַען ָו ַאֹמר ֵא ָליו ַמה־שְּׁ ֵני ַהֵ ּז ִיתים And what,” I asked him, “are those two olive“ 11 ָה ֵא ֶלה ַע ְל־י ִמין ַה ְּמ ָנוֹרה ְו ַעל־ trees, one on the right and one on the left of the ְשׂ ָמֹאול ּה׃ ”?menorah va-A-an va-o-MAR ay-LAV mah sh’-NAY ha-zay-TEEM ha-AY-leh al y’-MEEN ha- m’-no-RAH v’-al s’-mo-LAH יב ָו ַא ַען שׁ ֵ ִנית ָו ַאֹמר ֵא ָליו ַמה־שׁ ְ ֵּתי שׁ ִ ֲּב ֵלי And I further asked him, “What are the two tops 12 ַהֵ ּז ִיתים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבַיד שׁ ְ ֵני ַצ ְנ ְּתרוֹת ַהָ ּז ָהב of the olive trees that feed their gold through those Twelve Prophets ַה ְמִר ִיקים ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַהָ ּז ָהב׃ ”?two golden tubes יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר ֲהלוֹא ָי ַד ְע ָּת ָמה־ ”?He asked me, “Don’t you know what they are 13 ֵא ֶּלה ָו ַאֹמר לֹא ֲא ִדֹני׃ ”.And I replied, “No, my lord יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ֶּלה שׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ַי־הִּי ְצ ָהר ָה ְעֹמ ִדים Then he explained, “They are the two anointed 14 ַע ֲל־אדוֹן ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ ”.dignitaries who attend the Lord of all the earth א ָו ָאשׁ ּוב ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ֵע ַיני ָו ֶאְר ֶאה ְו ִה ֵנּה ְמ ִג ָּלה .I looked up again, and I saw a flying scroll 1 5 ה ָע ָפה׃ ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ָמה ַא ָּתה ֶרֹאה ָו ַאֹמר ֲא ִני What do you see?” he asked. And I replied, “A“ 2 ֶרֹאה ְמ ִג ָּלה ָע ָפה ָאְר ָּכ ּה ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ָּב ַא ָּמה ”.flying scroll, twentyamot long and ten amot wide ְוָר ְח ָּב ּה ֶע ֶשׂר ָּב ַא ָּמה׃ ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי זֹאת ָה ָא ָלה ַה ּי ֵוֹצאת ַעל־ That,” he explained to me, “is the curse which goes“ 3 ְּפ ֵני ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ִּכי ָכ ַל־ה ּג ֵֹנב ִמֶ ּזה ָּכ ָמוֹה out over the whole land. For everyone who has ִנ ָּקה ְו ָכ ַל־ה ִנּשׁ ְ ָּבע ִמֶ ּזה ָּכ ָמוֹה ִנ ָּקה׃ ,[stolen, as is forbidden on one side [of the scroll has gone unpunished; and everyone who has sworn [falsely], as is forbidden on the other side of it, has gone unpunished. ד ֵהוֹצ ִאת ָיה ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ּו ָב ָאה But] I have sent it forth—declares the lord of] 4 ֶא ֵּל־בית ַה ַּג ָנּב ְו ֶא ֵּל־בית ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָּבע ִּבשׁ ְ ִמי Hosts—and [the curse] shall enter the house of the ַלשָּׁ ֶקר ְו ָל ֶנה ְּב ְתוֹך ֵּביתוֹ ְו ִכ ַּל ּת ּו ְו ֶאת־ thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by ֵע ָציו ְו ֶא ֲת־א ָב ָניו׃ My name, and it shall lodge inside their houses and shall consume them to the last timber and stone.”

4:11 Those two olive trees The menorah and luster. There are perhaps no two better symbols to olive branches depicted in Zecharya’s vision represent the Jewish people. Oil is extracted when were chosen as the centerpieces of the State of Israel’s pressure is applied. In a similar fashion, the Jewish emblem. According to its designers, the olive branches people are refined when faced with difficulty, as symbolize the state’s peaceful intentions. The image hardship allows one to become more sensitive to of the menorah, copied from the Arch of Titus, attests others and form a closer connection with Hashem. It to the link of the Jewish people with their glorious past follows that olive oil is used to light the menorah, Emblem of the in their homeland, and Israel’s return to its former representing clarity and wisdom for the entire world. State of Israel

134 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ו Chapter 6

ה ַוֵּי ֵצא ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ָשׂא Then the angel who talked with me came forward 5 ָנא ֵע ֶינ ָיך ּוְר ֵאה ָמה ַה ּי ֵוֹצאת ַה ּזֹאת׃ and said, “Now look up and note this other object that is approaching.” ו ָו ַאֹמר ַמ ִה־היא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר זֹאת ָה ֵא ָיפה I asked, “What is it?” And he said, “This tub that is 6 ַה ּי ֵוֹצאת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר זֹאת ֵע ָינם ְּב ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ approaching—this,” said he, “is their eye in all the land.” ז ְו ִה ֵנּה ִּכ ַּכר ֶעֹפֶרת ִנ ֵּשׂאת ְוזֹאת ִאשָּׁ ה And behold, a disk of lead was lifted, revealing a 7 ַא ַחת יוֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ְּב ְתוֹך ָה ֵא ָיפה׃ .woman seated inside the tub ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר זֹאת ָהִרשׁ ְ ָעה ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵל ְך ָאֹת ּה ֶאל־ That,” he said, “is Wickedness”; and, thrusting her“ 8 ּת ְוֹך ָה ֵא ָיפה ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵל ְך ֶא ֶת־א ֶבן ָה ֶעֹפֶרת down into the tub, he pressed the leaden weight ֶא ִּל־פ ָיה׃ .into its mouth ט ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ֵע ַיני ָו ֵאֶרא ְו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ְ ַּתִים ָנשׁ ִ ים I looked up again and saw two women come 9 ְיוֹצאוֹת ְו ּרו ַח ְּב ַכ ְנ ֵפ ֶיהם ְו ָל ֵה ָנּה ְכ ָנ ַפִים soaring with the wind in their wings—they had ְּכ ַכ ְנ ֵפי ַה ֲח ִס ָידה ַו ִּת ֶּשׂ ָאנה ֶא ָת־ה ֵא ָיפה wings like those of a stork—and carry off the tub

ֵּבין ָה ָאֶרץ ּו ֵבין ַהשָּׁ ָמִים׃ .Twelve Prophets between earth and sky va-e-SA ay-NAI va-AY-re v’-hi-NAY sh’-TA-yim na-SHEEM yo-tz’-OT v’-RU-akh b’-khan-fay-HEM v’-la-HAY-nah kh’-na-FA-yim k’-khan-FAY ha-kha-see-DAH va- ti-SE-nah et HA-ay-FAH BAYN ha-A-retz u-VAYN ha-sha-MA-yim י ָו ַאֹמר ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ָא ָנה ֵה ָּמה Where are they taking the tub?” I asked the angel“ 10 ִמוֹלכוֹת ֶא ָת־ה ֵא ָיפה׃ .who talked with me יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ִל ְב ָנוֹת־לה ַבִית ְּב ֶאֶרץ And he answered, “To build a shrine for it in the 11 שׁ ִ ְנ ָער ְו ּהו ַכן ְו ֻה ִנּ ָיחה שָּׁ ם ַע ְל־מ ֻכ ָנ ָת ּה׃ land of Shinar; [a stand] shall be erected for it, and it shall be set down there upon the stand.” א ָו ָאשׁ ֻ ב ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ֵע ַיני ָו ֶאְר ֶאה ְו ִה ֵנּה ַאְר ַּבע I looked up again, and I saw: Four chariots were 1 6 ו ַמְר ָּכבוֹת ְיֹצאוֹת ִמ ֵּבין שׁ ְ ֵני ֶה ָהִרים coming out from between the two mountains; the ְו ֶה ָהִרים ָהֵרי ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ .mountains were of copper ב ַּב ֶּמְר ָּכ ָבה ָהִראשׁ ָֹנה ּסו ִסים ֲא ֻד ִּמים The horses of the first chariot were bay, the horses 2 ּו ַב ֶּמְר ָּכ ָבה ַהשֵּׁ ִנית ּסו ִסים שׁ ְ ִחֹרים׃ ;of the second chariot were black ג ּו ַב ֶּמְר ָּכ ָבה ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ּסו ִסים ְל ָב ִנים the horses of the third chariot were white, and 3 ּו ַב ֶּמְר ָּכ ָבה ָהְר ִב ִעית ּסו ִסים ְּבֻר ִ ּדים —the horses of the fourth chariot were spotted ֲא ֻמ ִּצים׃ .dappled ד ָו ַא ַען ָו ַאֹמר ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ּד ֵֹבר ִּבי ָמה־ And I spoke up and asked the angel who talked 4 ֵא ֶּלה ֲא ִדֹני׃ ”?with me: “What are those, my lord ה ַוַּי ַען ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָלי ֵא ֶּלה ַאְר ַּבע In reply, the angel said to me, “Those are the four 5 ֻרחוֹת ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ְיוֹצאוֹת ֵמ ִה ְתַי ֵּצב ַעל־ winds of heaven coming out after presenting ֲאדוֹן ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ .themselves to the Lord of all the earth

5:9 And saw two women come soaring with the take this to symbolize the removal of the Babylonian wind Zecharya has a fantastic vision of a cult, which worshipped the goddess Ishtar, from the woman, who personifies evil, being thrust into a basket Land of Israel. The Talmud (Kiddushin 49b) symbolically that is sealed with lead. She is then carried by two other identifies these two women as pride and hypocrisy, who, women, portrayed as angels, who expel her from the together with evil, find themselves exiled from the Holy Beit Hamikdash and carry her away to Babylonia. Some Land and sent to Babylonia.

135 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ו Chapter 6

ו ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּה ַה ּס ּו ִסים ַהשְּׁ ִחֹרים ְיֹצ ִאים The one with the black horses is going out to the 6 ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ָצפוֹן ְו ַה ְּל ָב ִנים ָי ְצ ּאו ֶאל־ region of the north; the white ones have gone out ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם ְו ַה ְּבֻר ִ ּדים ָי ְצ ּאו ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ to what is to the west of them; the spotted ones ַה ֵּת ָימן׃ ;have gone out to the region of the south ז ְו ָה ֲא ֻמ ִּצים ָי ְצ ּאו ַוְי ַב ְקשׁ ּו ָל ֶל ֶכת and the dappled ones have gone out…” They were 7 ְל ִה ְת ַה ֵּלך ָּב ָאֶרץ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ּכו ִה ְת ַה ְּל ּכו ready to start out and range the earth, and he gave ָב ָאֶרץ ַו ִּת ְת ַה ַּל ְכ ָנה ָּב ָאֶרץ׃ ”!them the order, “Start out and range the earth And they ranged the earth. ח ַוַּיְז ֵעק ִאֹתי ַוְי ַד ֵּבר ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר ְר ֵאה Then he alerted me, and said to me, “Take good 8 ַה ּי ְוֹצ ִאים ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ָצפוֹן ֵה ִנ ּיחו ֶאת־ note! Those that went out to the region of the ּרו ִחי ְּב ֶאֶרץ ָצפוֹן׃ north have done my pleasure in the region of the north.” ט ַוְי ִהי ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר׃ :The word ofHashem came to me 9 י ָל ַקוֹח ֵמ ֵאת ַה ּג ָוֹלה ֵמ ֶח ְל ַ ּדי ּו ֵמ ֵאת Receive from the exiled community—from 10

Twelve Prophets ִטוֹבָּיה ּו ֵמ ֵאת ְי ַד ְעָיה ּו ָב ָאת ַא ָּתה ַּב ּיוֹם Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from ַה ּהוא ּו ָב ָאת ֵּבית יֹאשׁ ִ ָּיה ֶב ְן־צ ַפ ְנָיה Babylon—and you, in turn, proceed the same day ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּאו ִמ ָּב ֶבל׃ .to the house of Yoshiyahu son of Tzefanya יא ְו ָל ַק ְח ָּת ֶכ ֶס ְף־וָז ָהב ְו ָע ִשׂ ָית ֲע ָטרוֹת Take silver and gold and make crowns. Place 11 ְו ַשׂ ְמ ָּת ְּברֹאשׁ ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹצ ָדק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן one] on the head of High Priest Yehoshua son of] ַה ָּגדוֹל׃ ,Yehotzadak יב ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ֵא ָליו ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה :and say to him, “Thus said thelord of Hosts 12 ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּ ִה־אישׁ ֶצ ַמח שׁ ְ מוֹ Behold, a man called the Branch shall branch out ּו ִמ ַּת ְח ָּתיו ִי ְצ ָמח ּו ָב ָנה ֶא ֵת־ה ַיכל ְי ָהֹו ּה׃ from the place where he is, and he shall build the Temple of Hashem. יג ְו ּהוא ִי ְב ֶנה ֶא ֵת־ה ַיכל ְי ָהֹוה ְו ּהו ִא־י ָּשׂא He shall build the Temple of Hashem and shall 13 הוֹד ְוָישׁ ַ ב ּו ָמשׁ ַ ל ַע ִּל־כ ְסאוֹ ְו ָהָיה ֵכֹהן assume majesty, and he shall sit on his throne and ַע ִּל־כ ְסאוֹ ַו ֲע ַצת שׁ ָ לוֹם ִּת ְהֶיה ֵּבין rule. And there shall also be a Kohen seated on שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם׃ his throne, and harmonious understanding shall prevail between them.” יד ְו ָה ֲע ָטרֹת ִּת ְהֶיה ְל ֵח ֶלם ּו ְל ִטוֹבָּיה The crowns shall remain in the Temple ofHashem 14 ְו ִל ַיד ְעָיה ּו ְל ֵחן ֶּב ְן־צ ַפ ְנָיה ְלִז ָּכרוֹן ְּב ֵה ַיכל as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen ְי ָהֹוה׃ .son of Tzefanya טו ּוְר ִחוֹקים ָי ּבֹאו ּו ָב ּנו ְּב ֵה ַיכל ְי ָהֹוה Men from far away shall come and take part in the 15 ִו ַיד ְע ֶּתם ִּכ ְי־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת שׁ ְ ָל ַח ִני building of the Temple of Hashem, and you shall ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ְו ָהָיה ִאם־שׁ ָ ַמוֹע ִּתשׁ ְ ְמ ּעון know that I have been sent to you by the lord of ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם׃ !Hosts—if only you will obey Hashem your God ur-kho-KEEM ya-VO-u u-va-NU b’-hay-KHAL a-do-NAI vee-da-TEM kee a-do- NAI tz’-va-OT sh’-la-KHA-nee a-lay-KHEM v’-ha-YAH im sha-MO-a tish-m’-UN b’-KOL a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM

6:15 Men from far away shall come and take part in the with the words “and harmonious understanding shall building of the Temple Verses 12-13 refer to the dual prevail between them,” implying that they will work coronation of the king and the priest. Verse 13 ends together side by side; the spiritual and the physical

136 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ז Chapter 7

א ַוְי ִהי ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת ַאְר ַּבע ְל ָדְרָיֶושׁ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָהָיה In the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth 1 7 ז ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ְל־ז ַכְרָיה ְּב ַאְר ָּב ָעה ַל ֶחֹדשׁ day of the ninth month, Kislev, the word of Hashem ַה ְּתשׁ ִ ִעי ְּב ִכ ְס ֵלו׃ —came to Zecharya ב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֵּב ֵית־אל ַשׂ ֶר־א ֶצר ְוֶר ֶגם ֶמ ֶל ְך when Beit El-sharezer and Regem-melech and his 2 ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְל ַח ּלוֹת ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ ,men sent to entreat the favor of Hashem ג ֵלאמֹר ֶא ַל־ה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְל ֵב ְית־י ָהֹוה and] to address this inquiry to the Kohanim of the] 3 ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ֶא ַל־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ֵלאמֹר ַה ֶא ְב ֶּכה House of Hashem and to the Neviim: “Shall I weep ַּב ֶחֹדשׁ ַה ֲח ִמשׁ ִ י ִה ָנּ ֵזר ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ֶזה and practice abstinence in the fifth month, as I have ַּכ ֶּמה שׁ ָ ִנים׃ ”?been doing all these years ד ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר׃ Thereupon the word of thelord of Hosts came to 4 me: ה ֱאמֹר ֶא ָּל־כ ַל־עם ָה ָאֶרץ ְו ֶא ַל־ה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים Say to all the people of the land and to the 5 ֵלאמֹר ִּכ ַי־צ ְמ ֶּתם ְו ָספוֹד ַּב ֲח ִמישׁ ִ י Kohanim: When you fasted and lamented in the ּו ַבשְּׁ ִב ִיעי ְוֶזה שׁ ִ ְב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה ֲהצוֹם ,fifth and seventh months all these seventy years ַצ ְמ ֻּת ִני ָא ִני׃ ?Twelve Prophets did you fast for my benefit e-MOR el kol AM ha-A-retz v’-el ha-ko-ha-NEEM lay-MOR kee tzam-TEM v’-sa- FOD ba-kha-mee-SHEE u-va-sh’-vee-EE v’-ZEH shiv-EEM sha-NAH ha-TZOM tzam-TU-nee A-nee ו ְו ִכי ְתֹאכ ּלו ְו ִכי ִתשׁ ְ ּת ּו ֲהלוֹא ַא ֶּתם And when you eat and drink, who but you does the 6 ָה ְאֹכ ִלים ְו ַא ֶּתם ַהשּׁ ִֹתים׃ ?eating, and who but you does the drinking ז ֲהלוֹא ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָקָרא ְי ָהֹוה Look, this is the message that Hashem proclaimed 7 ְּבַיד ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ָהִראשׁ ִֹנים ִּב ְהיוֹת through the earlier Neviim, when Yerushalayim and ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם יֹשׁ ֶ ֶבת ּושׁ ְ ֵלָוה ְו ָעֶר ָיה ְס ִב ֶיבֹת ָיה ,the towns about her were peopled and tranquil ְו ַה ֶנּ ֶגב ְו ַהשְּׁ ֵפ ָלה יֹשׁ ֵ ב׃ .when the Negev and the Shephelah were peopled ח ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ְל־ז ַכְרָיה ֵלאמֹר׃ :And the word of Hashem to Zecharya continued 8 ט ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵלאמֹר ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט ;Thus said thelord of Hosts: Execute true justice 9 ֱא ֶמת שׁ ְ ּפֹטו ְו ֶח ֶסד ְוַר ֲח ִמים ֲע ּשׂו ִאישׁ .deal loyally and compassionately with one another ֶא ָת־א ִחיו׃

leaders complementing each other in the building of Babylonia. They come with the following question: since the Beit Hamikdash and the nation’s service of God. If the Jewish people are back in the Land of Israel and the the Jewish people work together and remain obedient Beit Hamikdash is being rebuilt, is it appropriate to to Hashem and observant of His commandments, continue to fast and mourn over the destruction of the Zecharya promises that not only will support arrive first Temple, as they have been doing annually for from abroad, but more Jews from among the exiles decades? The prophet’s response is clear. In Hashem’s eyes, of Babylonia and Assyria will return to the Holy Land. fasting and other external signs of mourning have no Eventually, the righteous of all the world (see 8:22) value if not accompanied by sincere repentance and will flock to Yerushalayim in great numbers to learn ethical behavior (verses 9-10). The medieval commentator, the ways of Hashem. Rabbi Yitzchak Abrabanel, notes that while the question originates from the Jews in Babylon, the answer is directed 7:5 Did you fast for my benefit? In the fourth year towards the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael. They sacrificed to Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel of King Darius, a delegation is sent to the prophet return to the land; it is their actions that carry the most (1437-1508) in Yerushalayim by the Jews who remained behind in spiritual significance for the world.

137 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ח Chapter 8

י ְו ַא ְל ָמ ָנה ְוָיתוֹם ֵּגר ְו ָע ִני ַא ַּל־ת ֲעשׁ ֹּקו Do not defraud the widow, the orphan, the 10 ְוָר ַעת ִאישׁ ָא ִחיו ַא ַּל־ת ְחשׁ ְ ּבו ִּב ְל ַב ְב ֶכם׃ stranger, and the poor; and do not plot evil against one another.— יא ַוְי ָמ ֲא ּנו ְל ַה ְקשׁ ִ יב ַוִּי ְּת ּנו ָכ ֵתף ָסֹרֶרת But they refused to pay heed. They presented a 11 ְו ָאְז ֵנ ֶיהם ִה ְכ ִּב ּידו ִמשְּׁ ַמוֹע׃ .balky back and turned a deaf ear יב ְו ִל ָּבם ָשׂ ּמו שׁ ָ ִמיר ִמשְּׁ ַמוֹע ֶא ַת־ה ּת ָוֹרה They hardened their hearts like adamant against 12 ְו ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַלח ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת heeding the instruction and admonition that the ְּב ּרוחוֹ ְּבַיד ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ָהִראשׁ ִֹנים ַוְי ִהי lord of Hosts sent to them by His spirit through ֶק ֶצף ָּגדוֹל ֵמ ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ the earlier Neviim; and a terrible wrath issued from the lord of Hosts. יג ַוְי ִהי ַכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־קָרא ְולֹא שׁ ָ ֵמ ּעו ֵּכן ִי ְקְר ּאו ”,Even as He called and they would not listen, “So 13 ְולֹא ֶאשׁ ְ ָמע ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ said the lord of Hosts, “let them call and I will not listen.” יד ְו ֵא ָס ֲעֵרם ַעל ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־ I dispersed them among all those nations which 14

Twelve Prophets ְי ָד ּעום ְו ָה ָאֶרץ ָנשׁ ַ ָּמה ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם ֵמ ֵעֹבר they had not known, and the land was left behind ּו ִמשָּׁ ב ַוָּי ִשׂ ּימו ֶאֶר ֶץ־ח ְמ ָ ּדה ְלשׁ ַ ָּמה׃ .them desolate, without any who came and went They caused a delightful land to be turned into a desolation. ח א ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵלאמֹר׃ :[The word of thelord of Hosts came [to me 1 8 ב ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִק ֵנּ ִאתי ְל ִצ ּיוֹן Thus said thelord of Hosts: I am very jealous for 2 ִק ְנ ָאה ְג ָדוֹלה ְו ֵח ָמה ְג ָדוֹלה ִק ֵנּ ִאתי ָל ּה׃ .Tzion, I am fiercely jealous for her ג ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה שׁ ַ ְב ִּתי ֶא ִל־צ ּיוֹן ְושׁ ָ ַכ ְנ ִּתי Thus saidHashem : I have returned to Tzion, and 3 ְּב ְתוֹך ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְו ִנ ְקְר ָאה ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִעיר־ I will dwell in Yerushalayim. Yerushalayim will be ָה ֱא ֶמת ְו ַה ְר־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַהר ַה ּק ֶֹדשׁ ׃ called the City of Faithfulness, and the mount of the lord of Hosts the Holy Mount. ד ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת עֹד ֵישׁ ְ ּבו Thus said thelord of Hosts: There shall yet be 4 ְז ֵק ִנים ּוְז ֵקנוֹת ִּבְרחֹבוֹת ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְו ִאישׁ ,old men and women in the squares of Yerushalayim ִמשׁ ְ ַע ְנ ּתוֹ ְּבָידוֹ ֵמרֹב ָי ִמים׃ .each with staff in hand because of their great age ה ּוְרחֹבוֹת ָה ִעיר ִי ָּמ ְל ּאו ְי ָל ִדים ִו ָילדוֹת And the squares of the city shall be crowded with 5 ְמ ַשׂ ֲח ִקים ִּבְר ֶחֹבֹת ָיה׃ .boys and girls playing in the squares ו ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִּכי ִי ָּפ ֵלא ְּב ֵע ֵיני Thus said thelord of Hosts: Though it will seem 6 שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ָה ָעם ַהֶ ּזה ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ַּגם־ impossible to the remnant of this people in those ְּב ֵע ַיני ִי ָּפ ֵלא ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ days, shall it also be impossible to Me?—declares the lord of Hosts. ז ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִה ְנ ִני מוֹשׁ ִ ַיע Thus said thelord of Hosts: I will rescue My 7 ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמְזָרח ּו ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ְמבוֹא people from the lands of the east and from the ַ ה שׁ ּ ָ ֶ מ שׁ ׃ ,lands of the west ח ְו ֵה ֵב ִאתי ָאֹתם ְושׁ ָ ְכ ּנו ְּב ְתוֹך ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם and I will bring them home to dwell in 8 ְו ָה ּיו ִ־לי ְל ָעם ַו ֲא ִני ֶא ְהֶיה ָל ֶהם ֵל ִאלֹהים Yerushalayim. They shall be My people, and I will ֶּב ֱא ֶמת ּו ִב ְצ ָד ָקה׃ .be their God—in truth and sincerity

138 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ח Chapter 8

ט ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֶּת ֱחַז ְק ָנה ְי ֵד ֶיכם Thus said thelord of Hosts: Take courage, you 9 ַהשּׁ ְֹמ ִעים ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ֵאת ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים who now hear these words which the Neviim spoke ָה ֵא ֶּלה ִמ ִּפי ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּביוֹם ֻי ַּסד when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding ֵּב ְית־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַה ֵה ָיכל ְל ִה ָּבנוֹת׃ .of the Temple, the House of the lord of Hosts י ִּכי ִל ְפ ֵני ַהָּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ְשׂ ַכר ָה ָא ָדם לֹא For before that time, the earnings of men were 10 ִנ ְהָיה ּו ְשׂ ַכר ַה ְּב ֵה ָמה ֵא ֶינ ָנּה ְו ַל ּי ֵוֹצא nil, and profits from beasts were nothing. It was ְו ַל ָּבא ֵאין־שׁ ָ לוֹם ִמ ַן־ה ָּצר ַו ֲאשׁ ַ ַּלח ֶאת־ not safe to go about one’s business on account of ָּכ ָל־ה ָא ָדם ִאישׁ ְּבֵר ֵע ּהו׃ .enemies; and I set all men against one another יא ְו ַע ָּתה לֹא ַכָּי ִמים ָהִראשׁ ִֹנים ֲא ִני But now I will not treat the remnant of this people 11 ִלשׁ ְ ֵאִרית ָה ָעם ַהֶ ּזה ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ —as before—declares the lord of Hosts יב ִּכ ֶי־זַרע ַהשָּׁ לוֹם ַה ֶּג ֶפן ִּת ֵּתן ִּפְרָי ּה but what it sows shall prosper: The vine shall 12 ְו ָה ָאֶרץ ִּת ֵּתן ֶא ְת־י ּבו ָל ּה ְו ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ִי ְּת ּנו ,produce its fruit, the ground shall produce its yield ַט ָּלם ְו ִה ְנ ַח ְל ִּתי ֶאת־שׁ ְ ֵאִרית ָה ָעם ַהֶ ּזה and the skies shall provide their moisture. I will ֶא ָּת־כ ֵל־א ֶּלה׃ bestow all these things upon the remnant of this

Twelve Prophets people. יג ְו ָהָיה ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֱהִי ֶיתם ְק ָל ָלה ַּב ּג ִוֹים ֵּבית And just as you were a curse among the nations, O 13 ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ֵבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵּכן אוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ֶא ְת ֶכם House of Yehuda and House of Yisrael, so, when I ִו ְהִי ֶיתם ְּבָר ָכה ַא ִּל־ת ָיר ּאו ֶּת ֱחַז ְק ָנה vindicate you, you shall become a blessing. Have ְי ֵד ֶיכם׃ !no fear; take courage יד ִּכי כֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָז ַמ ְמ ִּתי For thus said the lord of Hosts: Just as I planned 14 ְל ָהַרע ָל ֶכם ְּב ַה ְק ִציף ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם ִאֹתי to afflict you and did not relent when your fathers ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְולֹא ִנ ָח ְמ ִּתי׃ —provoked Me to anger—said the lord of Hosts טו ֵּכן שׁ ַ ְב ִּתי ָז ַמ ְמ ִּתי ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ְל ֵה ִיטיב so, at this time, I have turned and planned to do 15 ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְו ֶא ֵּת־בית ְי ּהו ָדה ַאל־ .good to Yerushalayim and to the House of Yehuda ִּת ָיר ּאו׃ !Have no fear טז ֵא ֶּלה ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּת ֲע ּשׂו ַ ּד ְּב ּרו ֱא ֶמת These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth 16 ִאישׁ ֶא ֵת־ר ֵע ּהו ֱא ֶמת ּו ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט שׁ ָ לוֹם to one another, render true and perfect justice in שׁ ִ ְפ ּטו ְּבשׁ ַ ֲעֵר ֶיכם׃ .your gates AY-leh ha-d’-va-REEM a-SHER ta-a-SU da-b’-RU e-MET EESH et ray-AY-hu e-MET u-mish-PAT sha-LOM shif-TU b’-sha-a-ray-KHEM יז ְו ִאישׁ ֶא ָת־ר ַעת ֵר ֵע ּהו ַא ַּל־ת ְחשׁ ְ ּבו And do not contrive evil against one another, and 17 ִּב ְל ַב ְב ֶכם ּושׁ ְ ֻב ַעת שׁ ֶ ֶקר ַא ֶּל־ת ֱא ָה ּבו ִּכי do not love perjury, because all those are things ֶא ָּת־כ ֵל־א ֶּלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָשׂ ֵנ ִאתי ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .that I hate—declares Hashem

8:16 Render true and perfect justice in your justice, and peace are the three pillars upon which the gates In order for Yehuda and Yisrael to world depends (Ethics of the Fathers 1:18). The become a blessing (verse 13), they have to perform commentator Radak suggests that when the judges While this in Israel mete out righteous justice, then even the .(אמת ומשפט שלום) emet umishpat shalom phrase is translated here as “true and perfect justice,” losing parties in a quarrel will accept the judgment the words literally mean ‘truth’ and ‘judgement of peacefully. This sense of justice and peace will cause peace.’ When two people each claim to represent truth, the nations of the world to encourage each other to how does peace emerge? The Sages state that from go to Yerushalayim for God’s blessing (verses here we learn the importance of compromise, as truth, 20-22).

139 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ט Chapter 9

יח ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵא ַלי ֵלאמֹר׃ ,And the word of the lord of Hosts came to me 18 saying, יט ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת צוֹם ָהְר ִב ִיעי Thus said thelord of Hosts: The fast of the 19 ְוצוֹם ַה ֲח ִמישׁ ִ י ְוצוֹם ַהשְּׁ ִב ִיעי ְוצוֹם fourth month, the fast of the fifth month, the fast of ָה ֲע ִשׂ ִירי ִי ְהֶיה ְל ֵב ְית־י ּהו ָדה ְל ָשׂשׂוֹן the seventh month, and the fast of the tenth month ּו ְל ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ּו ְל ֲמֹע ִדים ִטוֹבים ְו ָה ֱא ֶמת shall become occasions for joy and gladness, happy ְו ַהשָּׁ לוֹם ֱא ָה ּבו׃ festivals for the House of Yehuda; but you must love honesty and integrity. כ ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת עֹד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ּבֹאו Thus said thelord of Hosts: Peoples and the 20 ַע ִּמים ְויֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָעִרים ַר ּבוֹת׃ —inhabitants of many cities shall yet come כא ְו ָה ְל ּכו יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ַא ַחת ֶא ַל־א ַחת ֵלאמֹר ,the inhabitants of one shall go to the other and say 21 ֵנ ְל ָכה ָה ְלוֹך ְל ַח ּלוֹת ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה Let us go and entreat the favor of Hashem, let us“ ּו ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵא ְל ָכה ַּגם־ ”.seek the lord of Hosts; I will go, too ָא ִני׃

Twelve Prophets כב ּו ָב ּאו ַע ִּמים ַר ִּבים ְו ִגוֹים ֲע ּצו ִמים ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ The many peoples and the multitude of nations 22 ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם ּו ְל ַח ּלוֹת shall come to seek the lord of Hosts in ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ .Yerushalayim and to entreat the favor of Hashem כג ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵה ָּמה Thus said thelord of Hosts: In those days, ten 23 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֲחִז ּיקו ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִמ ּכֹל —men from nations of every tongue will take hold ְלשׁ ֹנוֹת ַה ּג ִוֹים ְו ֶה ֱחִז ּיקו ִּב ְכ ַנף ִאישׁ they will take hold of every Yehudi by a corner of ְי ּהו ִדי ֵלאמֹר ֵנ ְל ָכה ִע ָּמ ֶכם ִּכי שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ּנו his cloak and say, “Let us go with you, for we have ֱא ִלֹהים ִע ָּמ ֶכם׃ ”.heard that Hashem is with you א ַמ ָּשׂא ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ְּב ֶאֶרץ ַח ְדָר ְך ְו ַד ֶּמ ֶשׂק A pronouncement: The word ofHashem . He will 1 9 ט ְמ ֻנ ָחתוֹ ִּכי ַל ָיהֹוה ֵעין ָא ָדם ְוכֹל שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי reside in the land of Hadrach and Damascus; For ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ all men’s eyes will turn to Hashem— Like all the tribes of Yisrael— ב ְו ַג ֲם־ח ָמת ִּת ְג ָּב ָּל־ב ּה צֹר ְו ִצידוֹן ִּכי Including Hamath, which borders on it, And Tyre 2 ָח ְכ ָמה ְמאֹד׃ .and Sidon, though they are very wise ג ַו ִּת ֶבן צֹר ָמצוֹר ָל ּה ַו ִּת ְצ ָּב ֶּר־כ ֶסף ֶּכ ָע ָפר Tyre has built herself a fortress; She has amassed 3 ְו ָח ּרוץ ְּכ ִטיט ּחוצוֹת׃ .silver like dust, And gold like the mud in the streets ד ִה ֵנּה ֲא ָדֹני ִיוֹרשׁ ֶ ָנּה ְו ִה ָּכה ַבָּים ֵח ָיל ּה But my Lord will impoverish her; He will defeat her 4 ְו ִהיא ָּב ֵאשׁ ֵּת ָא ֵכל׃ .forces at sea, And she herself shall be consumed by fire ה ֵּתֶרא ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן ְו ִת ָירא ְו ַעָ ּזה ְו ָת ִחיל ְמאֹד Ashkelon shall see it and be frightened, Azza shall 5 ְו ֶע ְקרוֹן ִּכ ִי־הֹבישׁ ֶמ ָּב ָט ּה ְו ָא ַבד ֶמ ֶל ְך tremble violently, And Ekron, at the collapse of her ֵמ ַעָ ּזה ְו ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן לֹא ֵתשׁ ֵ ב׃ hopes. Kingship shall vanish from Azza, Ashkelon shall be without inhabitants, ו ְוָישׁ ַ ב ַמ ְמֵזר ְּב ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ְו ִה ְכַר ִּתי ְּגאוֹן And a mongrel people shall settle inAshdod . I will 6 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ .uproot the grandeur of Philistia ז ַו ֲה ִס ִרֹתי ָד ָמיו ִמ ִּפיו ְושׁ ִ ֻּק ָציו ִמ ֵּבין שׁ ִ ָנּיו But I will clean out the blood from its mouth, And 7 ְו ִנשׁ ְ ַאר ַּג ּם־הוא ֵל ֵאלֹה ּינו ְו ָהָיה ְּכ ַא ֻּלף the detestable things from between its teeth. Its ִּב ּיהו ָדה ְו ֶע ְקרוֹן ִּכ ּיבו ִסי׃ survivors, too, shall belong to our God: They shall become like a clan in Yehuda, And Ekron shall be like the Jebusites. 140 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק ט Chapter 9

ח ְו ָח ִנ ִיתי ְל ֵב ִיתי ִמ ָּצ ָבה ֵמ ֵעֹבר ּו ִמשָּׁ ב ,And I will encamp in My House against armies 8 ְו ַלֹא־י ֲעבֹר ֲע ֵל ֶיהם עוֹד ֵנֹגשׂ ִּכי ַע ָּתה Against any that come and go, And no oppressor ָר ִא ִיתי ְב ֵע ָיני׃ shall ever overrun them again; For I have now taken note with My own eyes. ט ִּג ִילי ְמאֹד ַּב ִת־צ ּיוֹן ָהִר ִיעי ַּבת ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם Rejoice greatly, Fair Tzion; Raise a shout, Fair 9 ִה ֵנּה ַמ ְל ֵּכ ְך ָיבוֹא ָל ְך ַצ ִ ּדיק ְונוֹשׁ ָ ע Yerushalayim! Lo, your king is coming to you. He ּהוא ָע ִני ְו ֵרֹכב ַע ֲל־חמוֹר ְו ַע ַל־עִיר ֶּבן־ is victorious, triumphant, Yet humble, riding on an ֲאתֹנוֹת׃ .ass, On a donkey foaled by a she-ass gee-LEE m’-OD bat tzi-YON ha-REE-ee BAT y’-ru-sha-LA-im hi-NAY mal-KAYCH ya-VO LAKH tza-DIK v’-no-SHA HU a-NEE v’-ro-KHAYV al kha-MOR v’-al A-yir ben a-to-NOT י ְו ִה ְכַר ִּת ֶי־ר ֶכב ֵמ ֶא ְפַרִים ְו ּסוס ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם He shall banish chariots from Efraim And horses 10 ְו ִנ ְכְר ָתה ֶקשׁ ֶ ת ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִד ֶּבר שׁ ָ לוֹם from Yerushalayim; The warrior’s bow shall be ַל ּג ִוֹים ּו ָמשׁ ְ לוֹ ִמָּים ַע ָד־ים ּו ִמ ָנּ ָהר ַעד־ ,banished. He shall call on the nations to surrender ַא ְפ ֵס ָי־אֶרץ׃ And his rule shall extend from sea to sea And from Twelve Prophets ocean to land’s end. יא ַּג ַם־א ְּת ְּב ַד ְּם־בִר ֵית ְך שׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֲא ִס ַירִי ְך You, for your part, have released Your prisoners 11 ִמ ּבוֹר ֵאין ַמִים ּבוֹ׃ from the dry pit, For the sake of the blood of your covenant, יב שׁ ּו ּבו ְל ִב ָּצרוֹן ֲא ִס ֵירי ַה ִּת ְקָוה ַּג ַם־ה ּיוֹם Saying], “Return to Bizzaron, You prisoners of] 12 ַמ ִּגיד ִמשׁ ְ ֶנה ָאשׁ ִ יב ָל ְך׃ hope.” In return [I] announce this day: I will repay you double. יג ִּכ ָי־דַר ְכ ִּתי ִלי ְי ּהו ָדה ֶקשׁ ֶ ת ִמ ֵּל ִאתי For I have drawn Yehuda taut, And applied [My 13 ֶא ְפַרִים ְו ַעוֹרְר ִּתי ָב ַנִי ְך ִצ ּיוֹן ַע ָּל־ב ַנִי ְך ָיָון hand] to Efraim as to a bow, And I will arouse your ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ְיך ְּכ ֶחֶרב ִּג ּבוֹר׃ sons, O Tzion, Against your sons, O Javan, And make you like a warrior’s sword. יד ַו ָיהֹוה ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ֵיָר ֶאה ְוָי ָצא ַכ ָּבָרק And Hashem will manifest Himself to them, And 14 ִח ּצוֹ ַו ָאדֹני ְי ִהֹוה ַּבשּׁ ָוֹפר ִי ְת ָקע ְו ָה ַל ְך His arrows shall flash like lightning; MyHashem ְּב ַס ֲערוֹת ֵּת ָימן׃ shall sound the shofar And advance in a stormy tempest. טו ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ָי ֵגן ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְו ָא ְכ ּלו ְו ָכ ְבשׁ ּו [Thelord of Hosts will protect them: [His 15 ַא ְב ֵנ ֶי־ק ַלע ְושׁ ָ ּתו ָה ּמו ְּכ ָמוֹ־יִין ּו ָמ ְל ּאו slingstones shall devour and conquer; They shall ַּכ ִּמְזָרק ְּכָזִו ּיוֹת ִמְז ֵּב ַח׃ drink, shall rage as with wine, And be filled [with it] like a dashing bowl, Like the corners of an mizbayach.

9:9 Yet humble, riding on an ass Zecharya Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, explains that a חמור which is similar to (חמור) describes the arrival in Yerushalayim of Israel’s ‘donkey’ in Hebrew is chamor חומר which means ‘materialism.’ This verse (חומר) king Mashiach, to the cheers of the people after having chomer defeated Israel’s enemies. Though returning in miraculous teaches that the Mashiach, who represents spirituality, victory, the Messiah will not enter the gates of Jerusalem will ride upon the donkey of materialism, for he will usher on a glorious military steed. Instead, the Mashiach will in a world where these two contrasting values will be A donkey in Nachal Gerar ride on a humble donkey. Rabbi Menachem Mendel fused together in the service of Hashem.

141 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק י Chapter 10

טז ְוהוֹשׁ ִ ָיעם ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ;Hashem their God shall prosper them On that day 16 ְּכצֹאן ַע ּמוֹ ִּכי ַא ְב ֵנ ֵי־נֶזר ִמ ְת ְנוֹססוֹת He shall pasture] His people like sheep. [They] ַע ַל־א ְד ָמתוֹ׃ .shall be] like crown jewels glittering on His soil יז ִּכי ַמ ּה־ט ּובוֹ ּו ַמ ָה־י ְפיוֹ ָ ּד ָגן ַּב ּחוִרים How lovely, how beautiful they shall be, Producing 17 ְו ִתירוֹשׁ ְי ֵנוֹבב ְּב ֻתלוֹת׃ young men like new grain, Young women like new wine! א שׁ ַ ֲא ּלו ֵמְי ָהֹוה ָמ ָטר ְּב ֵעת ַמ ְלקוֹשׁ ְי ָהֹוה .Ask Hashem for rain In the season of late rain 1 10 י ֶעֹשׂה ֲחִז ִיזים ּו ְמ ַט ֶּר־גשׁ ֶ ם ִי ֵּתן ָל ֶהם It is Hashem who causes storms; And He will ְל ִאישׁ ֵע ֶשׂב ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ provide rainstorms for them, Grass in the fields for everyone. sha-a-LU may-a-do-NAI ma-TAR b’-AYT mal-KOSH a-do-NAI o-SEH kha-zee- ZEEM um-tar GE-shem yi-TAYN la-HEM l’-EESH AY-sev ba-sa-DEH ב ִּכי ַה ְּתָר ִפים ִ ּד ְּב ּרו ָ־אֶון ְו ַה ּק ְוֹס ִמים For the teraphim spoke delusion, The augurs 2 ָח ּזו שׁ ֶ ֶקר ַו ֲחלֹמוֹת ַהשָּׁ וא ְי ַד ֵּב ּרו ֶה ֶבל predicted falsely; And dreamers speak lies And

Twelve Prophets ְי ַנ ֵח ּמון ַע ֵּל־כן ָנ ְס ּעו ְכמוֹ־צֹאן ַי ֲע ּנו ִּכי־ console with illusions. That is why My people ֵאין ֶרֹעה׃ have strayed like a Xock, They suffer for lack of a shepherd. ג ַע ָל־ה ִרֹעים ָחָרה ַא ִּפי ְו ַע ָל־ה ַע ּת ּו ִדים My anger is roused against the shepherds, And I will 3 ֶא ְפקוֹד ִּכ ָי־פ ַקד ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֶא ֶת־ע ְדרוֹ punish the he-goats. For the lord of Hosts has ֶא ֵּת־בית ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ָשׂם ָאוֹתם ְּכ ּסוס הוֹדוֹ taken thought In behalf of His flock, the House of ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ Yehuda; He will make them like majestic chargers in battle. ד ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ִפ ָנּה ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ָי ֵתד ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ֶקשׁ ֶ ת From them shall come cornerstones, From them 4 ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ֵי ֵצא ָכ ֵל־נוֹגשׂ ַי ְח ָ ּדו׃ tent pegs, From them bows of combat, And every captain shall also arise from them. ה ְו ָה ּיו ְכ ִג ּבִֹרים ּב ִוֹסים ְּב ִטיט ּחוצוֹת ,And together they shall be like warriors in battle 5 ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִנ ְל ֲח ּמו ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ִע ָּמם ,Tramping in the dirt of the streets; They shall fight ְו ִהֹבישׁ ּו ְרֹכ ֵבי ּסו ִסים׃ for Hashem shall be with them, And they shall put horsemen to shame. ו ְו ִג ַּבְר ִּתי ֶא ֵּת־בית ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ֶא ֵּת־בית I will give victory to the House of Yehuda, And 6 ֵיוֹסף אוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ְוהוֹשׁ ְ ִבוֹתים ִּכי ִר ַח ְמ ִּתים ,triumph to the House of Yosef. I will restore them ְו ָה ּיו ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְלֹא־ז ַנ ְח ִּתים ִּכי ֲא ִני ְי ָהֹוה for I have pardoned them, And they shall be as ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ְו ֶא ֱע ֵנם׃ though I had never disowned them; For I Hashem am their God, And I will answer their prayers.

Zechariah 10:1 Ask Hashem for rain in the season not like the land of Egypt from which you have come. of late rain Zecharya begins this chapter by There the grain you sowed had to be watered by your calling on the Children of Israel to pray for rain. Should own labors, like a vegetable garden; but the land you are they ask for rain, Hashem will gladly fulfill the request. It about to cross into and possess, a land of hills and valleys, seems strange that the people are to pray for rain “in the soaks up its water from the rains of heaven.” However, season of late rain.” Since it is the rainy season, the request because of the special nature of Eretz Yisrael, even in the seems unnecessary. However, in Sefer Devarim (11:10-11) winter the rains do not come naturally unless man turns the Torah describes how the Land of Israel is different than to Hashem and prays for them. This reality strengthens Egypt, in that it is dependant on rainfall for its sustenance: the relationship between the God of Israel, the People of “For the land that you are about to enter and possess is Israel and the Land of Israel.

142 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק אי Chapter 11

ז ְו ָה ּיו ְכ ִג ּבוֹר ֶא ְפַרִים ְו ָשׂ ַמח ִל ָּבם ְּכ ָמוֹ־יִין Efraim shall be like a warrior, And they shall exult 7 ּו ְב ֵנ ֶיהם ִיְר ּאו ְו ָשׂ ֵמ ּחו ָי ֵגל ִל ָּבם ַּב ָיהֹוה׃ ,as with wine; Their children shall see it and rejoice They shall exult inHashem . ח ֶאשׁ ְ ְר ָקה ָל ֶהם ַו ֲא ַק ְּב ֵצם ִּכי ְפ ִד ִיתים I will whistle to them and gather them, For I will 8 ְוָר ּבו ְּכמוֹ ָר ּבו׃ redeem them; They shall increase and continue increasing. ט ְו ֶאְזָר ֵעם ָּב ַע ִּמים ּו ַב ֶּמְר ַח ִּקים ִיְז ְּכ ּרו ִני For though I sowed them among the nations, In 9 ְו ָח ּיו ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנ ֶיהם ָושׁ ָ ּבו׃ the distant places they shall remember Me, They shall escape with their children and shall return. י ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ִיבוֹתים ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ֵמ ַאשּׁ ּור I will bring them back from the land of Egypt And 10 ֲא ַק ְּב ֵצם ְו ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ִּג ְל ָעד ּו ְל ָבנוֹן ֲא ִב ֵיאם gather them from Assyria; And I will bring them ְולֹא ִי ָּמ ֵצא ָל ֶהם׃ to the lands of Gilad and Lebanon, And even they shall not suffice for them.

יא ְו ָע ַבר ַּבָּים ָצָרה ְו ִה ָּכה ַבָּים ַּג ִּלים ְו ִהֹבישׁ ּו Twelve Prophets 11 A hemmed-in force shall pass over the sea And ּכֹל ְמ ּצולוֹת ְיאֹר ְו ּהוַרד ְּגאוֹן ַאשּׁ ּור shall stir up waves in the sea; And all the deeps of ְושׁ ֵ ֶבט ִמ ְצַרִים ָי ּסור׃ the Nile shall dry up. Down shall come the pride of Assyria, And the scepter of Egypt shall pass away. יב ְו ִג ַּבְר ִּתים ַּב ָיהֹוה ּו ִבשׁ ְ מוֹ ִי ְת ַה ָּל ּכו ְנ ֻאם But I will make them mighty through Hashem, And 12 ְי ָהֹוה׃ they shall march proudly in His name —declares Hashem. א ְּפ ַתח ְל ָבנוֹן ְ ּד ָל ֶת ָיך ְו ַתֹאכל ֵאשׁ ַּב ֲאָרֶז ָיך׃ Throw open your gates, O Lebanon, And let fire 1 11 יא !consume your cedars ב ֵה ֵילל ְּברוֹשׁ ִּכ ָי־נ ַפל ֶאֶרז ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַא ִ ּדִרים Howl, cypresses, for cedars have fallen! How the 2 שׁ ֻ ָ ּד ּדו ֵה ִיל ּילו ַא ּל ֵוֹני ָבשׁ ָ ן ִּכי ָיַרד ַי ַער mighty are ravaged! Howl, you oaks of Bashan, For הבצור ַ]ה ָּב ִציר׃[ !the stately forest is laid low

ג קוֹל ִי ְל ַלת ָה ִרֹעים ִּכי שׁ ֻ ְ ּד ָדה ַא ַ ּדְר ָּתם Hark, the wailing of the shepherds, For their rich 3 קוֹל שׁ ַ ֲא ַגת ְּכ ִפ ִירים ִּכי שׁ ֻ ַ ּדד ְּגאוֹן pastures are ravaged; Hark, the roaring of the great ַהַּיְר ֵ ּדן׃ .beasts, For the jungle of the Yarden is ravaged

ד ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ָלֹהי ְר ֵעה ֶאת־צֹאן Thus said my GodHashem : Tend the sheep meant 4 ַה ֲהֵר ָגה׃ ,for slaughter

ה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵקֹנ ֶיהן ַי ֲהְר ֻגן ְולֹא ֶי ְאשׁ ָ ּמו ּו ְמֹכֵר ֶיהן ,whose buyers will slaughter them with impunity 5 ַיֹאמר ָּב ּרו ְך ְי ָהֹוה ַו ְאעשׁ ִ ר ְו ֵרֹע ֶיהם לֹא whose seller will say, “Praised be Hashem! I’ll get ַי ְחמוֹל ֲע ֵל ֶיהן׃ .rich,” and whose shepherd will not pity them

ו ִּכי לֹא ֶא ְחמוֹל עוֹד ַעל־יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָה ָאֶרץ For I will pity the inhabitants of the land no 6 ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ְו ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ַמ ְמ ִציא ֶאת־ more—declares Hashem—but I will place every ָה ָא ָדם ִאישׁ ְּבַי ֵד־ר ֵע ּהו ּו ְבַיד ַמ ְל ּכוֹ man at the mercy of every other man and at the ְו ִכ ְּת ּתו ֶא ָת־ה ָאֶרץ ְולֹא ַא ִּציל ִמָּי ָדם׃ mercy of his king; they shall break the country to bits, and I will not rescue it from their hands.

143 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק אי Chapter 11

ז ָו ֶאְר ֶעה ֶאת־צֹאן ַה ֲהֵר ָגה ָל ֵכן ֲע ִנֵּיי So I tended the sheep meant for slaughter, for 7 ַה ּצֹאן ָו ֶא ַּק ִח־לי שׁ ְ ֵני ַמ ְקלוֹת ְל ַא ַחד those poor men of the sheep. I got two staffs, one ָקָר ִאתי ַנֹעם ּו ְל ַא ַחד ָקָר ִאתי ְחֹב ִלים of which I named Favor and the other Unity, and I ָו ֶאְר ֶעה ֶא ַת־ה ּצֹאן׃ .proceeded to tend the sheep va-er-EH et TZON ha-ha-ray-GAH la-KHAYN a-ni-YAY ha-TZON va-e-kakh LEE sh’-NAY mak-LOT l’-a-KHAD ka-RA-tee NO-am ul-a-KHAD ka-RA-tee kho- v’-LEEM va-er-EH et ha-TZON ח ָו ַא ְכ ִחד ֶאת־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָה ִרֹעים ְּבֶיַרח ֶא ָחד But I lost the three shepherds in one month; then 8 ַו ִּת ְק ַצר ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ָּב ֶהם ְו ַג ַם־נ ְפשׁ ָ ם ָּב ֲח ָלה my patience with them was at an end, and they in ִבי׃ .turn were disgusted with me ט ָו ַאֹמר לֹא ֶאְר ֶעה ֶא ְת ֶכם ַה ֵּמ ָתה ָת ּמות So I declared, “I am not going to tend you; let the 9 ְו ַה ִנּ ְכ ֶח ֶדת ִּת ָּכ ֵחד ְו ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָארוֹת ּת ַֹאכ ְל ָנה one that is to die die and the one that is to get lost ִאשָּׁ ה ֶא ְּת־ב ַשׂר ְר ּעו ָת ּה׃ ”!get lost; and let the rest devour each other’s flesh י ָו ֶא ַּקח ֶא ַת־מ ְק ִלי ֶא ַת־נֹעם ָו ֶא ְג ַ ּדע אֹתוֹ Taking my staff Favor, I cleft it in two, so as to annul 10 Twelve Prophets ְל ָה ֵפיר ֶא ְּת־בִר ִיתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּכַר ִּתי ֶא ָּת־כל־ ;the covenant I had made with all the peoples ָה ַע ִּמים׃ יא ַו ֻּת ַפר ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַוֵּי ְד ּעו ֵכן ֲע ִנֵּיי ַה ּצֹאן and when it was annulled that day, the same poor 11 ַהשּׁ ְֹמִרים ִאֹתי ִּכי ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ּהוא׃ men of the sheep who watched me realized that it was a message from Hashem. יב ָו ַאֹמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ִאם־טוֹב ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם ָה ּבו Then I said to them, “If you are satisfied, pay me 12 ְשׂ ָכִרי ְו ִאם־לֹא ֲח ָד ּלו ַוִּישׁ ְ ְק ּלו ֶא ְת־שׂ ָכִרי my wages; if not, don’t.” So they weighed out my שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ָּכ ֶסף׃ —wages, thirty shekalim of silver יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ַהשׁ ְ ִל ֵיכ ּהו ֶא ַל־ה ּי ֵוֹצר .the noble sum that I was worth in their estimation 13 ֶא ֶדר ַהְי ָקר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ַקְר ִּתי ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ”.Hashem said to me, “Deposit it in the treasury ָו ֶא ְק ָחה שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ַה ֶּכ ֶסף ָו ַאשׁ ְ ִל ְיך אֹתוֹ And I took the thirty shekalim and deposited it in ֵּבית ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַל־ה ּי ֵוֹצר׃ .the treasury in the House of Hashem יד ָו ֶא ְג ַ ּדע ֶא ַת־מ ְק ִלי ַהשֵּׁ ִני ֵאת ַה ְחֹב ִלים Then I cleft in two my second staff, Unity, in order 14 ְל ָה ֵפר ֶא ָת־ה ַא ֲחָוה ֵּבין ְי ּהו ָדה ּו ֵבין to annul the brotherhood between Yehuda and ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Yisrael טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ָלי עוֹד ַק ְח־ל ָך ְּכ ִלי ֶרֹעה Hashem said to me further: Get yourself the gear of 15 ֱאִו ִלי׃ .a foolish shepherd טז ִּכי ִה ֵנּ ָה־א ִנֹכי ֵמ ִקים ֶרֹעה ָּב ָאֶרץ For I am going to raise up in the land a shepherd who 16 ַה ִנּ ְכ ָחדוֹת ִלֹא־י ְפקֹד ַה ַנּ ַער ְלֹא־י ַב ֵּקשׁ ,will neither miss the lost [sheep], nor seek the strayed ְו ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ֶּבֶרת לֹא ְיַר ֵּפא ַה ִנּ ָּצ ָבה לֹא ְי ַכ ְל ֵּכל nor heal the injured, nor sustain the frail, but will feast ּו ְב ַשׂר ַה ְּבִר ָיאה ַיֹאכל ּו ַפְר ֵס ֶיהן ְי ָפֵרק׃ .on the flesh of the fat ones and tear off their hoofs

נעם The word chovlim refers to .(חבלים) One of which I named Favor and the other is named chovlim 11:7 חבלים -Unity The prophet is asked to act as a shepherd something that ties two items together, and is a meta to his people, since the previous shepherds had ne- phor for unity. These staffs represent the characteristics glected them and were dismissed. In order to guide the of a good leader; dealing favorably and pleasantly with flock, the shepherd must carry “two staffs.” One staff is his people and keeping them united. meaning ‘favor,’ and the second staff ,(נעם) named noam

144 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק בי Chapter 12

יז הוֹי ִרֹעי ָה ֱא ִליל ְעֹז ִבי ַה ּצֹאן ֶחֶרב ַעל־ Oh, the worthless shepherd Who abandons the 17 ְזרוֹעוֹ ְו ַע ֵל־עין ְי ִמינוֹ ְזרֹעוֹ ָיבוֹשׁ ִּת ָיבשׁ flock! Let a sword descend upon his arm And upon ְו ֵעין ְי ִמינוֹ ָּכהֹה ִת ְכ ֶהה׃ his right eye! His arm shall shrivel up; His right eye shall go blind. א ַמ ָּשׂא ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה A pronouncement: The word ofHashem 1 12 יב ֶנֹטה שׁ ָ ַמִים ְו ֵיֹסד ָאֶרץ ְו ֵיֹצר ּרו ַח ָ־א ָדם concerning Yisrael. The utterance ofHashem , Who ְ ּב ִק ְר ּבוֹ ׃ ,stretched out the skies And made firm the earth And created man’s breath within him: ב ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ָשׂם ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ַס ַף־ר ַעל Behold, I will make Yerushalayim a bowl of reeling 2 ְל ָכ ָל־ה ַע ִּמים ָס ִביב ְו ַגם ַע ְל־י ּהו ָדה ִי ְהֶיה for the peoples all around. Yehuda shall be caught ַב ָּמצוֹר ַע ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ ,up in the siege upon Yerushalayim ג ְו ָהָיה ַב ּי ַוֹם־ה ּהוא ָא ִשׂים ֶא ְת־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם when all the nations of the earth gather against 3 ֶא ֶבן ַמ ֲע ָמ ָסה ְל ָכ ָל־ה ַע ִּמים ָּכ ְל־עֹמ ֶס ָיה her. In that day, I will make Yerushalayim a stone ָשׂרוֹט ִי ָּשׂ ֵר ּטו ְו ֶנ ֶא ְס ּפו ָע ֶל ָיה ּכֹל ּג ֵוֹיי for all the peoples to lift; all who lift it shall injure themselves. ָה ָאֶרץ׃ Twelve Prophets v’-ha-YAH va-YOM ha-HU a-SEEM et y’-ru-sha-LA-im E-ven ma-a-ma-SAH l’-khol ha-a-MEEM kol o-m’-SE-ha sa-ROT yi-sa-RAY-tu v’-ne-es-FU a-LE-ha KOL go-YAY ha-A-retz ד ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ַא ֶּכה ָכ ּל־סוס In that day—declares Hashem—I will strike every 4 ַּב ִּת ָּמהוֹן ְו ְרֹכבוֹ ַּבשִּׁ ָּגעוֹן ְו ַע ֵּל־בית ְי ּהו ָדה horse with panic and its rider with madness. But I ֶא ְפ ַקח ֶא ֵת־ע ַיני ְוכֹל ּסוס ָה ַע ִּמים ַא ֶּכה will watch over the House of Yehuda while I strike ַּב ִעָּורוֹן׃ .every horse of the peoples with blindness ה ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ַא ֻּל ֵפי ְי ּהו ָדה ְּב ִל ָּבם ַא ְמ ָצה ִלי ,And the clans of Yehuda will say to themselves 5 יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ַּב ָיהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם׃ The dwellers ofYerushalayim are a task set for us“ by their God, the lord of Hosts.” ו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָא ִשׂים ֶא ַת־א ֻּל ֵפי ְי ּהו ָדה In that day, I will make the clans of Yehuda like a 6 ְּכ ִכ ּיוֹר ֵאשׁ ְּב ֵע ִצים ּו ְכ ַל ִּפיד ֵאשׁ ְּב ָע ִמיר flaming brazier among sticks and like a flaming ְו ָא ְכ ּלו ַע ָל־י ִמין ְו ַע ְל־שׂמֹאול ֶא ָּת־כל־ torch among sheaves. They shall devour all the ָה ַע ִּמים ָס ִביב ְוָישׁ ְ ָבה ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם עוֹד besieging peoples right and left; andYerushalayim ַּת ְח ֶּת ָיה ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ .shall continue on its site, in Yerushalayim ז ְוהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָת־א ֳה ֵלי ְי ּהו ָדה ,Hashem will give victory to the tents of Yehuda first 7 ָּבִראשׁ ָֹנה ְל ַמ ַען ִלֹא־ת ְג ַ ּדל ִּת ְפ ֶאֶרת so that the glory of the House of David and the ֵּב ָ ּית־דִויד ְו ִת ְפ ֶאֶרת יֹשׁ ֵ ב ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ַעל־ glory of the inhabitants of Yerushalayim may not be ְי ּהו ָדה׃ .too great for Yehuda

12:3 I will make Yerushalayim a stone for all the peoples with great effort, often cutting themselves futilely, in to lift Zecharya prophesies about a future attack order to plough. This verse means that the nations of against Yehuda by the nations of the world. In that the world that try to remove Yehuda and Yerushalayim attack, the nations will besiege Yerushalayim, Israel’s will fail, injuring themselves while trying to destroy the capital, only to be miraculously defeated by Yehuda. holy city. Spiritually, Yerushalayim and Yisrael symbolize Hashem states that Yerushalayim will become “a stone God and His word. Taking on Yerushalayim forces the for all the peoples to lift,” and “all who lift it shall injure nations to contend with Hashem and His goodness. themselves.” In ancient times, when heavy stones lay Ultimately, they will be blocked from going off on in a field, the farmers would have to remove them their own path.

145 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק גי Chapter 13

ח ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָי ֵגן ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ַעד יוֹשׁ ֵ ב In that day, Hashem will shield the inhabitants of 8 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְו ָהָיה ַה ִנּ ְכשׁ ָ ל ָּב ֶהם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא Yerushalayim; and the feeblest of them shall be in ְּכ ָדִויד ּו ֵבית ָ ּדִויד ֵּכ ִאלֹהים ְּכ ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה that day like David, and the House of David like a ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם׃ divine being—like an angel of Hashem—at their head. ט ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֲא ַב ֵּקשׁ ְל ַהשׁ ְ ִמיד ֶאת־ In that day I will all but annihilate all the nations 9 ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ַה ָּב ִאים ַע ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם׃ .that came up against Yerushalayim י ְושׁ ָ ַפ ְכ ִּתי ַע ֵּל־בית ָ ּדִויד ְו ַעל יוֹשׁ ֵ ב But I will fill the House ofDavid and the 10 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ּרו ַח ֵחן ְו ַת ֲח ּנו ִנים ְו ִה ִּב ּיטו ֵא ַלי inhabitants of Yerushalayim with a spirit of pity and ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ָ ּר־ד ָק ּרו ְו ָס ְפ ּדו ָע ָליו ְּכ ִמ ְס ֵּפד compassion; and they shall lament to Me about ַע ַל־הָּי ִחיד ְו ָה ֵמר ָע ָליו ְּכ ָה ֵמר ַעל־ those who are slain, wailing over them as over a ַה ְּבכוֹר׃ -favorite son and showing bitter grief as over a first born. יא ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִי ְג ַ ּדל ַה ִּמ ְס ֵּפד ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם In that day, the wailing in Yerushalayim shall be as 11 Twelve Prophets ְּכ ִמ ְס ַּפד ֲה ַד ְד ִ־ר ּמוֹן ְּב ִב ְק ַעת ְמ ִג ּדוֹן׃ great as the wailing at Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddon. יב ְו ָס ְפ ָדה ָה ָאֶרץ ִמשׁ ְ ָּפחוֹת ִמשׁ ְ ָּפחוֹת ְל ָבד The land shall wail, each family by itself: The family 12 ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ֵּב ָ ּית־דִויד ְל ָבד ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ְל ָבד of the House of David by themselves, and their ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ֵּב ָית־נ ָתן ְל ָבד ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ְל ָבד׃ womenfolk by themselves; the family of the House of Natan by themselves, and their womenfolk by themselves; יג ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ֵּב ֵית־לִוי ְל ָבד ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ְל ָבד the family of the House of Levi by themselves, and 13 ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ַהשִּׁ ְמ ִעי ְל ָבד ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ְל ָבד׃ their women-folk by themselves; the family of the Shim’ites by themselves, and their womenfolk by themselves; יד ּכֹל ַה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפחוֹת ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָארוֹת ִמשׁ ְ ָּפחֹת ,and all the other families, every family by itself 14 ִמשׁ ְ ָּפחֹת ְל ָבד ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ְל ָבד׃ .with their womenfolk by themselves א ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִי ְהֶיה ָמקוֹר ִנ ְפ ָּתח ְל ֵבית In that day a fountain shall be open to the House 1 13 יג ָ ּדִויד ּו ְליֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְל ַח ַּטאת ּו ְל ִנ ָ ּדה׃ of David and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim for purging and cleansing. ba-YOM ha-HU yih-YEH ma-KOR nif-TAKH l’-VAYT da-VEED ul-yo-sh’-VAY y’-ru-sha-LA-im l’-kha-TAT ul-ni-DAH

13:1 In that day a fountain shall be open This though it is not explicitly named as such, perhaps the chapter describes the upcoming purification source of this fountain is Jerusalem’s Gichon spring of Yehuda and Yisrael, as the impure spirit is removed where Shlomo was anointed (I Kings 1:38-39), and from the land. The purification will take place in which provided drinking water as well as irrigation Yerushalayim through the waters of a fountain that for the gardens in the nearby Kidron valley.The Gichon will gush up from the earth and stream over the spring was also one of the rivers that flowed from the countryside, purifying the people and the land. Al- Garden of Eden mentioned in Sefer Bereishit (2:13). The Kidron Valley

146 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק די Chapter 14

ב ְו ָהָיה ַב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת In that day, too—declares the lord of Hosts—I 2 ַא ְכִרית ֶאת־שׁ ְ מוֹת ָה ֲע ַצ ִּבים ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ will erase the very names of the idols from the ְולֹא ִיָ ּז ְכ ּרו עוֹד ְו ַגם ֶא ַת־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ְו ֶאת־ land; they shall not be uttered any more. And I ּרו ַח ַה ֻּט ְמ ָאה ַא ֲע ִביר ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ׃ will also make the “Neviim” and the unclean spirit vanish from the land. ג ְו ָהָיה ִּכ ִי־י ָנּ ֵבא ִאישׁ עוֹד ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ֵא ָליו If anyone “prophesies” thereafter, his own father 3 ָא ִביו ְו ִא ּמוֹ ְיֹל ָדיו לֹא ִת ְחֶיה ִּכי שׁ ֶ ֶקר and mother, who brought him into the world, will ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְד ָקֻר ּהו ָא ִב ּיהו ְו ִא ּמוֹ say to him, “You shall die, for you have lied in the ְיֹל ָדיו ְּב ִה ָנּ ְבאוֹ׃ ,name of Hashem”; and his own father and mother who brought him into the world, will put him to death when he “prophesies.” ד ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֵיבֹשׁ ּו ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ִאישׁ In that day, every “Navi” will be ashamed of the 4 ֵמ ֶחְזיֹנוֹ ְּב ִה ָנּ ְבאֹתוֹ ְולֹא ִי ְל ְּבשׁ ּו ַא ֶ ּדֶרת visions” [he had] when he “prophesied.” In order“ ֵשׂ ָער ְל ַמ ַען ַּכ ֵחשׁ ׃ ,to deceive, he will not wear a hairy mantle ה 5 ְו ָא ַמר לֹא ָנ ִביא ָא ִנֹכי ִאישׁ ֵ־עֹבד ֲא ָד ָמה Twelve Prophets and he will declare, “I am not a ‘Navi’; I am a tiller ָא ִנֹכי ִּכי ָא ָדם ִה ְק ַנ ִני ִמ ְנּ ּעוָרי׃ of the soil; you see, I was plied with the red stuff from my youth on.” ו ְו ָא ַמר ֵא ָליו ָמה ַה ַּמ ּכוֹת ָה ֵא ֶּלה ֵּבין ָי ֶד ָיך And if he is asked, “What are those sores on your 6 ְו ָא ַמר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֻה ֵּכ ִיתי ֵּבית ְמ ַא ֲה ָבי׃ back?” he will reply, “From being beaten in the homes of my friends.” ז ֶחֶרב ּעוִרי ַע ִל־רֹעי ְו ַע ֶּל־ג ֶבר ֲע ִמ ִיתי O sword! Rouse yourself against My shepherd, The 7 ְנ ֻאם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַה ְך ֶא ָת־ה ֶרֹעה man in charge of My flock —says thelord of ּו ְת ּפו ֶציןָ ַה ּצֹאן ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ִבֹתי ָי ִדי ַעל־ Hosts. Strike down the shepherd And let the flock ַה ּצ ֲֹעִרים׃ scatter; And I will also turn My hand Against all the shepherd boys. ח ְו ָהָיה ְב ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ִּפי־שׁ ְ ַנִים -Throughout the land —declaresHashem — Two 8 ָּב ּה ִי ָּכְר ּתו ִי ְגָו ּעו ְו ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ִיָּו ֶתר ָּב ּה׃ thirds shall perish, shall die, And one-third of it shall survive. ט ְו ֵה ֵב ִאתי ֶא ַת־השְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ָּב ֵאשׁ ּו ְצַר ְפ ִּתים That third I will put into the fire, And I will smelt 9 ִּכ ְצרֹף ֶא ַת־ה ֶּכ ֶסף ּו ְב ַח ְנ ִּתים ִּכ ְבחֹן ֶאת־ them as one smelts silver And test them as one ַהָ ּז ָהב ּהוא ִי ְקָרא ִבשׁ ְ ִמי ַו ֲא ִני ֶא ֱע ֶנה tests gold. They will invoke Me by name, And I אֹתוֹ ָא ַמְר ִּתי ַע ִּמי ּהוא ְו ּהוא ַיֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה will respond to them. I will declare, “You are My ֱא ָלֹהי׃ people,” And they will declare, “Hashem is our God!” א ִה ֵנּה ָּיוֹם־בא ַל ָיהֹוה ְו ֻח ַּלק שׁ ְ ָל ֵל ְך Lo, a day of Hashem is coming when your spoil 1 14 יד ְּב ִקְר ֵּב ְך׃ !shall be divided in your very midst ב ְו ָא ַס ְפ ִּתי ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ֶא ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם For I will gather all the nations to Yerushalayim 2 ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִנ ְל ְּכ ָדה ָה ִעיר ְו ָנשׁ ַ ּס ּו ַה ָּב ִּתים for war: The city shall be captured, the houses ְו ַה ָנּשׁ ִ ים תשגלנה ִּ]תשָּׁ ַכ ְב ָנה[ ְוָי ָצא plundered, and the women violated; and a part ֲח ִצי ָה ִעיר ַּב ּג ָוֹלה ְוֶי ֶתר ָה ָעם לֹא ִי ָּכֵרת of the city shall go into exile. But the rest of the ִמ ָן־ה ִעיר׃ .population shall not be uprooted from the city ג ְוָי ָצא ְי ָהֹוה ְו ִנ ְל ַחם ַּב ּג ִוֹים ָה ֵהם ְּכיוֹם ThenHashem will come forth and make war on 3 ִה ָּל ֲחמו ְּביוֹם ְקָרב׃ those nations as He is wont to make war on a day of battle.

147 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק די Chapter 14

ד ְו ָע ְמ ּדו ַר ְג ָליו ַּב ּי ַוֹם־ה ּהוא ַע ַל־הר On that day, He will set His feet on the Mount 4 ַהֵ ּז ִתים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ִמ ֶּק ֶדם of Olives, near Yerushalayim on the east; and the ְו ִנ ְב ַקע ַהר ַהֵ ּז ִיתים ֵמ ֶח ְציוֹ ִמְזָר ָחה ָוָי ָּמה ,Mount of Olives shall split across from east to west ֵּגיא ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד ּו ָמשׁ ֲח ִצי ָה ָהר ָצ ָפוֹנה and one part of the Mount shall shift to the north ְו ֶח ְצ ֶיוֹ־נ ְג ָּבה׃ .and the other to the south, a huge gorge ה ְו ַנ ְס ֶּתם ֵּג ָיא־הַרי ִּכ ַי־י ִּג ַיע ֵּג ָי־הִרים ֶאל־ And the Valley in the Hills shall be stopped up, for 5 ָא ַצל ְו ַנ ְס ֶּתם ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַנ ְס ֶּתם ִמ ְּפ ֵני ָהַר ַעשׁ the Valley of the Hills shall reach only to Azal; it ִּב ֵימי ֻעִ ּזָּיה ֶמ ֶל ְך ְ־י ּהו ָדה ּו ָבא ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ַלֹהי shall be stopped up as it was stopped up as a result ָּכ ְל־קדֹשׁ ִ ים ִע ָּמ ְך׃ of the earthquake in the days of King Uzziyahu of Yehuda.—And Hashem my God, with all the holy beings, will come to you. ו ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִלֹא־י ְהֶיה אוֹר ְי ָקרוֹת In that day, there shall be neither sunlight nor cold 6 יקפאון ְ]ו ִק ָּפאוֹן׃[ ,moonlight ז ְו ָהָיה ֶיוֹם־א ָחד ּהוא ִיָּו ַדע ַל ָיהֹוה לֹא־ but there shall be a continuous day—only Hashem 7

Twelve Prophets יוֹם ְו ָלֹא־לְי ָלה ְו ָהָיה ְל ֵע ֶת־עֶרב ִי ְהֶיה־ knows when—of neither day nor night, and there אוֹר׃ .shall be light at eventide ח ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֵי ְצ ּאו ַמִי ַם־חִּיים In that day, fresh water shall flow from 8 ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ֶח ְצָים ֶא ַל־הָּים ַה ַּק ְד ִמוֹני Yerushalayim, part of it to the Eastern Sea and part ְו ֶח ְצָים ֶא ַל־הָּים ָה ַא ֲחרוֹן ַּב ַּקִיץ ּו ָב ֶחֹרף to the Western Sea, throughout the summer and ִי ְהֶיה׃ .winter ט ְו ָהָיה ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ָּל־כ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ַּב ּיוֹם And Hashem shall be king over all the earth; in that 9 ַה ּהוא ִי ְהֶיה ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָחד ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ֶא ָחד׃ .day there shall be one Hashem with one name י ִי ּסוֹב ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ָּכ ֲעָר ָבה ִמ ֶּג ַבע ְלִר ּמוֹן Then the whole country shall become like 10 ֶנ ֶגב ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְוָר ֲא ָמה ְוָישׁ ְ ָבה ַת ְח ֶּת ָיה the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of ְל ִמשַּׁ ַער ִּב ְנָי ִמן ַע ְד־מקוֹם שׁ ַ ַער Yerushalayim. The latter, however, shall perch ָהִראשׁ וֹן ַעד־שׁ ַ ַער ַה ִּפ ִנּים ּו ִמ ְג ַ ּדל ֲח ַנ ְנ ֵאל high up where it is, and shall be inhabited* from ַעד ִי ְק ֵבי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ,the Gate of Binyamin to the site of the Old Gate down to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. יא ְוָישׁ ְ ּבו ָב ּה ְו ֵחֶרם לֹא ִי ְהֶיה־עוֹד ְוָישׁ ְ ָבה Never again shall destruction be decreed, and 11 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ָל ֶב ַטח׃ .Yerushalayim shall dwell secure יב ְוזֹאת ִּת ְהֶיה ַה ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ּגֹף ְי ָהֹוה As for those peoples that warred against 12 ֶא ָּת־כ ָל־ה ַע ִּמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָצ ְב ּאו ַעל־ Yerushalayim, Hashem will smite them with this ְי ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ָה ֵמק ְּב ָשׂרוֹ ְו ּהוא ֵעֹמד ַעל־ plague: Their flesh shall rot away while they stand ַר ְג ָליו ְו ֵע ָיניו ִּת ַּמ ְק ָנה ְב ֵחֹר ֶיהן ּו ְלשׁ וֹנוֹ on their feet; their eyes shall rot away in their ִּת ַּמק ְּב ִפ ֶיהם׃ sockets; and their tongues shall rot away in their mouths. יג ְו ָהָיה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִּת ְהֶיה ְמ ּהו ַמ ְת־י ָהֹוה In that day, a great panic from Hashem shall fall 13 ַר ָּבה ָּב ֶהם ְו ֶה ֱחִז ּיקו ִאישׁ ַיד ֵר ֵע ּהו upon them, and everyone shall snatch at the hand ְו ָע ְל ָתה ָידוֹ ַע ַל־יד ֵר ֵע ּהו׃ of another, and everyone shall raise his hand against everyone else’s hand.

* “shall be inhabited” brought up from verse 11 for clarity

148 זכריה Zecharya/Zechariah פרק די Chapter 14

יד ְו ַג ְם־י ּהו ָדה ִּת ָּל ֵחם ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְו ֻא ַּסף ֵחיל Yehuda shall join the fighting inYerushalayim , and 14 ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ָס ִביב ָז ָהב ָו ֶכ ֶסף ּו ְב ָג ִדים ָלרֹב the wealth of all the nations roundabout—vast ְמאֹד׃ quantities of gold, silver, and clothing—shall be gathered in. טו ְו ֵכן ִּת ְהֶיה ַמ ֵּג ַפת ַה ּס ּוס ַה ֶּפֶרד ַה ָּג ָמל ,The same plague shall strike the horses, the mules 15 ְו ַה ֲחמוֹר ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְּב ֵה ָמה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ְהֶיה the camels, and the asses; the plague shall affect all ַּב ַּמ ֲחנוֹת ָה ֵה ָּמה ַּכ ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ַה ּזֹאת׃ .the animals in those camps טז ְו ָהָיה ָּכ ַל־ה ָנּוֹתר ִמ ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ַה ָּב ִאים All who survive of all those nations that came up 16 ַע ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ָל ִם ְו ָע ּלו ִמ ֵ ּדי שׁ ָ ָנה ְבשׁ ָ ָנה against Yerushalayim shall make a pilgrimage year ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחוׂת ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ָלחֹג by year to bow low to the King lord of Hosts ֶא ַת־חג ַה ֻּס ּכוֹת׃ .and to observe the festival of Sukkot v’-ha-YAH kol ha-no-TAR mi-kol ha-go-YIM ha-ba-EEM al y’-ru-sha-LA-im v’-a- LU mi-DAY sha-NAH v’-sha-NAH l’-hish-ta-kha-VOT l’-ME-lekh a-do-NAI tz’-va- OT v’-la-KHOG et KHAG ha-su-KOT

יז ְו ָהָיה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַלֹא־י ֲע ֶלה ֵמ ֵאת ִמשׁ ְ ְּפחוֹת Twelve Prophets 17 Any of the earth’s communities that does not make ָה ָאֶרץ ֶא ְל־י ּרושׁ ָ ַל ִם ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחוׂת ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך the pilgrimage to Yerushalayim to bow low to the ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְולֹא ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ִי ְהֶיה ַה ָּגשׁ ֶ ם׃ .King lord of Hosts shall receive no rain יח ְו ִא ִם־משׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ִמ ְצַרִים ַלֹא־ת ֲע ֶלה ְולֹא However, if the community of Egypt does not 18 ָב ָאה ְולֹא ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ִּת ְהֶיה ַה ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר make this pilgrimage, it shall not be visited by the ִי ּגֹף ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־ה ּג ִוֹים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא ַי ֲע ּלו ָלחֹג same affliction with whichHashem will strike the ֶא ַת־חג ַה ֻּס ּכוֹת׃ other nations that do not come up to observe the festival of Sukkot. יט זֹאת ִּת ְהֶיה ַח ַּטאת ִמ ְצָרִים ְו ַח ַּטאת Such shall be the punishment of Egypt and of all 19 ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא ַי ֲע ּלו ָלחֹג ֶא ַת־חג other nations that do not come up to observe the ַה ֻּס ּכוֹ ת׃ .festival of Sukkot כ ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִי ְהֶיה ַע ְל־מ ִצ ּלוֹת ַה ּס ּוס In that day, even the bells on the horses shall be 20 ֶקֹדשׁ ַל ָיהֹוה ְו ָהָיה ַה ִּסירוֹת ְּב ֵבית ְי ָהֹוה inscribed “Holy to Hashem.” The metal pots in the ַּכ ִּמְזָר ִקים ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ִּמְז ֵּב ַח׃ House of Hashem shall be like the basins before the mizbayach; כא ְו ָהָיה ָּכ ִל־סיר ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ַל ִם ּו ִב ּיהו ָדה ֶקֹדשׁ indeed, every metal pot in Yerushalayim and in 21 ַל ָיהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ּו ָב ּאו ָּכ ַל־ה ּז ְֹב ִחים ְו ָל ְק ּחו Yehuda shall be holy to the lord of Hosts. And ֵמ ֶהם ּו ִבשְּׁ ּלו ָב ֶהם ְו ִלֹא־י ְהֶיה ְכ ַנ ֲע ִני עוֹד all those who sacrifice shall come and take of these ְּב ֵב ְית־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ to boil [their sacrificial meat] in; in that day there shall be no more traders in the House of the lord of Hosts.

14:16 All who survive of all those nations At the Today, one of the most beautiful events in Yerushalayim end of days, the righteous from amongst the during Sukkot is the massive parade through the streets nations will make a pilgrimage to Yerushalayim on Suk- of the holy city where thousands of non-Jews, represen- kot, the feast of Tabernacles. On this universal holiday, tatives of the nations of the world, fulfill these moving Israel prays for winter rain and offers sacrifices in theBeit words of Zecharya. Chinese delegation at the Jerusalem March Hamikdash on behalf of the seventy nations of the world.

149

Sefer Malachi The Book of Malachi

The last of theTrei Asar, Sefer Malachi (Malachi), not only concludes the twelve prophets in this book, but also represents the end of the era of prophecy in Israel. As such, this book must be understood as a transition. The people are adjusting to life in the resettled Land of Israel, and to a world without prophecy. The book’s theme is outlined at the outset — God’s love for His people Israel has never waned. The prophet is motivated to rebuke the Children of Israel so that they again become worthy of receiving His love. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly whenMalachi lived, or even if this was his personal name or a title of some sort, as it means “my messenger.” The Talmud (Megila 15a) even suggests that he was Ezra. However, we do know that he prophesied sometime after the secondBeit Hamikdash had been built in Yerushalayim. The enthusiasm that had accompanied the original pilgrims and returnees had dissipated, and the people’s moral standards had slipped. Offerings were given at the Temple, but only perfunctorily, without emotion or passion. Gifts and tithes were only occasionally brought to Yerushalayim. There was a problem of intermarriage between Jewish men and local Canaanite women and other foreigners, similar to the problems faced by Ezra when he arrived in Israel in 458 BCE. The underlying malaise that gripped the people was that they did not consider themselves special or worthy of Hashem’s attention or affection. This sense permeated their lives, and the commandments were performed by rote, if at all.

151

מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק א Chapter 1

א ַמ ָּשׂא ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶא ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּבַיד A pronouncement: The word ofHashem to Yisrael 1 1 א ַמ ְל ָא ִכי׃ .through Malachi ב ָא ַה ְב ִּתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ,I have shown you love, said Hashem. But you ask 2 ַּב ָּמה ֲא ַה ְב ָּת ּנו ֲה ָלוֹא־אח ֵע ָשׂו ְלַי ֲעקֹב How have You shown us love?” After all—declares“ ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ָו ַאֹהב ֶא ַת־י ֲעקֹב׃ Hashem—Esau is Yaakov’s brother; yet I have accepted Yaakov ג ְו ֶא ֵת־ע ָשׂו ָשׂ ֵנ ִאתי ָו ָא ִשׂים ֶא ָת־הָריו and have rejected Esau. I have made his hills a 3 שׁ ְ ָמ ָמה ְו ֶא ַת־נ ֲח ָלתוֹ ְל ַתנּוֹת ִמ ְד ָּבר׃ desolation, his territory a home for beasts of the desert. ד ִּכ ַי־תֹאמר ֱאדוֹם ֻרשַּׁ שׁ ְ ּנו ְו ָנשׁ ּוב ְו ִנ ְב ֶנה If Edom thinks, “Though crushed, we can build the 4 ֳחָרבוֹת ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֵה ָּמה ruins again,” thus said the lord of Hosts: They ִי ְב ּנו ַו ֲא ִני ֶא ֱהרוֹס ְו ָקְר ּאו ָל ֶהם ְּג ּבול may build, but I will tear down. And so they shall ִרשׁ ְ ָעה ְו ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ז ַעם ְי ָהֹוה ַעד־ be known as the region of wickedness, the people ָעוֹלם׃ .damned forever of Hashem

ה ְו ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם ִּתְר ֶא ָינה ְו ַא ֶּתם ּת ְֹאמ ּרו ִי ְג ַ ּדל ,Twelve Prophets 5 Your eyes shall behold it, and you shall declare ְי ָהֹוה ֵמ ַעל ִל ְג ּבול ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ”!Great is Hashem beyond the borders of Yisrael“ v’-ay-nay-KHEM tir-E-nah v’-a-TEM to-m’-RU yig-DAL a-do-NAI may-AL lig- VUL yis-ra-AYL ו ֵּבן ְי ַכ ֵּבד ָאב ְו ֶע ֶבד ֲא ָדֹניו ְו ִא ָם־אב A son should honor his father, and a slave his 6 ָא ִני ַאֵּיה ְכ ִבוֹדי ְו ִא ֲם־א ִדוֹנים ָא ִני ַאֵּיה master. Now if I am a father, where is the honor ָמוֹר ִאי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ָל ֶכם ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים due Me? And if I am a master, where is the ּב ֵוֹזי שׁ ְ ִמי ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַּב ֶּמה ָבִז ּינו ֶאת־ reverence due Me?—said the lord of Hosts to שׁ ְ ֶ מ ָ ך ׃ ,you, O Kohanim who scorn My name. But you ask “How have we scorned Your name?” ז ַמ ִּגישׁ ִ ים ַע ִל־מְז ְּב ִחי ֶל ֶחם ְמ ָגֹאל You offer defiled food on Mymizbayach . But you 7 ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַּב ֶּמה ֵג ַא ְל ּנו ָך ֶּב ֱא ָמְר ֶכם שׁ ֻ ְל ַחן ask, “How have we defiled You?” By saying, “The ְי ָהֹוה ִנ ְבֶזה ּהוא׃ ”.table of Hashem can be treated with scorn ח ְו ִכ ַי־ת ִּגשׁ ּון ִעֵּור ִלְז ּב ַֹח ֵאין ָרע ְו ִכי When you present a blind animal for sacrifice—it 8 ַת ִּגישׁ ּו ִּפ ֵּס ַח ְו ֶחֹלה ֵאין ָרע ַה ְקִר ֵיב ּהו doesn’t matter! When you present a lame or ָנא ְל ֶפ ָח ֶת ָך ֲהִּיְר ְצ ָך אוֹ ֲהִי ָּשׂא ָפ ֶנ ָיך ָא ַמר sick one—it doesn’t matter! Just offer it to your ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ governor: Will he accept you? Will he show you favor?—said the lord of Hosts. ט ְו ַע ָּתה ַח ּל ּו ָ־נא ְפ ֵנ ֵי־אל ִו ָיח ֵנ ּנו ִמֶּי ְד ֶכם And now implore the favor of Hashem! Will He be 9 ָהְי ָתה ּזֹאת ֲהִי ָּשׂא ִמ ֶּכם ָּפ ִנים ָא ַמר gracious to us? This is what you have done—will ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ :He accept any of you? the lord of Hosts has said

1:5 Great is Hashem beyond the borders of be declared that “Hashem is great beyond the border of Yisrael Unlike the people of Edom, whose evil Israel.” These words can be understood in two ways. The behavior causes God to cast them away repeatedly and commentator Ibn Ezra suggests that it means even those call their boundary “the region of wickedness” (verses 3-4), outside of Israel will say “Hashem is great.” More likely, it Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra Hashem’s love for Israel is unending and unconditional means that the People of Israel themselves will call out (1089-1167) (verse 2). When the Jewish people recognize this, it will excitedly “Great is Hashem, beyond the borders of Yisrael.”

153 מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק ב Chapter 2

י ִמי ַג ָּם־ב ֶכם ְוִי ְס ּגֹר ְ ּד ָל ַתִים ְו ָלֹא־ת ִא ּירו If only you would lock My doors, and not kindle 10 ִמְז ְּב ִחי ִח ָנּם ֵא ִין־לי ֵח ֶפץ ָּב ֶכם ָא ַמר fire on Mymizbayach to no purpose! I take no ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ּו ִמ ְנ ָחה ֶלֹא־אְר ֶצה ִמֶּי ְד ֶכם׃ pleasure in you—said the lord of Hosts—and I will accept no offering from you. יא ִּכי ִמ ִּמְזַרח־שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ְו ַע ְד־מבוֹאוֹ ָּגדוֹל ,For from where the sun rises to where it sets 11 שׁ ְ ִמי ַּב ּג ִוֹים ּו ְב ָכ ָל־מקוֹם ֻמ ְק ָטר ֻמ ָּגשׁ My name is honored among the nations, and ִלשׁ ְ ִמי ּו ִמ ְנ ָחה ְט ָהוֹרה ִּכ ָי־גדוֹל שׁ ְ ִמי everywhere incense and pure oblation are offered ַּב ּג ִוֹים ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ to My name; for My name is honored among the nations—said the lord of Hosts. יב ְו ַא ֶּתם ְמ ַח ְּל ִלים אוֹתוֹ ֶּב ֱא ָמְר ֶכם שׁ ֻ ְל ַחן But you profane it when you say, “The table of 12 ֲא ָדֹני ְמ ָגֹאל ּהוא ְו ִניבוֹ ִנ ְבֶזה ָא ְכלוֹ׃ Hashem is defiled and the meat, the food, can be treated with scorn.” יג ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ִה ֵנּה ַמ ְּת ָל ָאה ְו ִה ַּפ ְח ֶּתם אוֹתוֹ You say, “Oh, what a bother!” And so you degrade 13 ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַו ֲה ֵב ֶאתם ָּג ּזול it—said the lord of Hosts—and you bring the

Twelve Prophets ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּפ ֵּס ַח ְו ֶא ַת־ה ֶחוֹלה ַו ֲה ֵב ֶאתם ֶאת־ stolen, the lame, and the sick; and you offer such ַה ִּמ ְנ ָחה ַה ֶאְר ֶצה ָאוֹת ּה ִמֶּי ְד ֶכם ָא ַמר as an oblation. Will I accept it from you?—said ְי ָהֹוה׃ .Hashem יד ְו ָא ּרור ֵנוֹכל ְוֵישׁ ְּב ֶע ְדרוֹ ָז ָכר ְו ֵנֹדר ְו ֵזֹב ַח [A curse on the cheat who has an [unblemished 14 ָמשׁ ְ ָחת ַל ָאדֹני ִּכי ֶמ ֶל ְך ָּגדוֹל ָא ִני ָא ַמר male in his flock, but for his vow sacrifices a ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ּושׁ ְ ִמי ָנוֹרא ַב ּג ִוֹים׃ blemished animal to Hashem! For I am a great King—said the lord of Hosts—and My name is revered among the nations. ב א ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ַה ִּמ ְצָוה ַה ּזֹאת ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים׃ :And now, O Kohanim, this charge is for you 1 2 ב ִאם־לֹא ִתשׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְו ִאם־לֹא ָת ִשׂ ּימו ,Unless you obey and unless you lay it to heart 2 ַע ֵל־לב ָל ֵתת ָּכבוֹד ִלשׁ ְ ִמי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה and do honor to My name—said the lord of ְצ ָבאוֹת ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ָב ֶכם ֶא ַת־ה ְּמ ֵאָרה Hosts—I will send a curse and turn your blessings ְו ָא ִרוֹתי ֶא ִּת־בְר ֵכוֹת ֶיכם ְו ַגם ָא ִרוֹת ָיה ִּכי into curses. (Indeed, I have turned them into ֵא ְינ ֶכם ָשׂ ִמים ַע ֵל־לב׃ (.curses, because you do not lay it to heart ג ִה ְנ ִני ֵגֹער ָל ֶכם ֶא ַת־הֶ ּזַרע ְוֵזִר ִיתי ֶפֶרשׁ I will put your seed under a ban, and I will strew 3 ַע ְּל־פ ֵנ ֶיכם ֶּפֶרשׁ ַח ֵּג ֶיכם ְו ָנ ָשׂא ֶא ְת ֶכם dung upon your faces, the dung of your festal ֵא ָליו׃ .[sacrifices, and you shall be carried out to its [heap ד ִו ַיד ְע ֶּתם ִּכי שׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּתי ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ֵאת ַה ִּמ ְצָוה Know, then, that I have sent this charge to you 4 ַה ּזֹאת ִל ְהיוֹת ְּבִר ִיתי ֶא ֵת־לִוי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה that My covenant with Levi may endure—said the ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .lord of Hosts ה ְּבִר ִיתי ָהְי ָתה ִא ּתוֹ ַה ַחִּיים ְו ַהשָּׁ לוֹם ,I had with him a covenant of life and well-being 5 ָו ֶא ְּת ֵנם־לוֹ ָמוֹרא ַוִּי ָיר ֵא ִני ּו ִמ ְּפ ֵני שׁ ְ ִמי which I gave to him, and of reverence, which he ִנ ַחת ּהוא׃ .showed Me. For he stood in awe of My name ו ּת ַוֹרת ֱא ֶמת ָהְי ָתה ְּב ִפ ּיהו ְו ַעְו ָלה לֹא־ Proper rulings were in his mouth, And nothing 6 ִנ ְמ ָצא ִב ְשׂ ָפ ָתיו ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם ּו ְב ִמישׁ וֹר ָה ַל ְך perverse was on his lips; He served Me with ִא ִּתי ְוַר ִּבים ֵהשׁ ִ יב ֵמ ָעוׂן׃ complete loyalty And held the many back from iniquity.

154 מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק ב Chapter 2

ז ִּכ ִי־שׂ ְפ ֵתי ֵכֹהן ִישׁ ְ ְמ ּרו ַ־ד ַעת ְו ָתוֹרה For the lips of a Kohen guard knowledge, And men 7 ְי ַב ְקשׁ ּו ִמ ִּפ ּיהו ִּכי ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹו ְה־צ ָבאוֹת seek rulings from his mouth; For he is a messenger ּהוא׃ .of the lord of Hosts kee sif-TAY kho-HAYN yish-m’-ru DA-at v’-to-RAH y’-vak-SHU mi-PEE-hu KEE mal-AKH a-do-nai tz’-va-OT HU ח ְו ַא ֶּתם ַסְר ֶּתם ִמ ַן־ה ֶ ּדֶר ְך ִה ְכשׁ ַ ְל ֶּתם ַר ִּבים But you have turned away from that course: You 8 ַּב ּת ָוֹרה שׁ ִ ַח ֶּתם ְּבִרית ַה ֵּלִוי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ;have made the many stumble through your rulings ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ —you have corrupted the covenant of the Leviim said the lord of Hosts. ט ְו ַג ֲם־א ִני ָנ ַת ִּתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ִנ ְבִזים ּושׁ ְ ָפ ִלים And I, in turn, have made you despicable and vile 9 ְל ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְּכ ִפי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵא ְינ ֶכם שׁ ְֹמִרים in the eyes of all the people, because you disregard ֶא ְ ּת־דָר ַכי ְו ְנֹשׂ ִאים ָּפ ִנים ַּב ּת ָוֹרה׃ .My ways and show partiality in your rulings י ֲהלוֹא ָאב ֶא ָחד ְל ֻכ ָּל ּנו ֲהלוֹא ֵאל ֶא ָחד Have we not all one Father? Did not one Hashem 10 ְּבָר ָא ּנו ַמ ּד ּו ַע ִנ ְב ַּגד ִאישׁ ְּב ָא ִחיו ְל ַח ֵּלל ,create us? Why do we break faith with one another ְּבִרית ֲא ֵבֹת ּינו׃ ?Twelve Prophets profaning the covenant of our ancestors יא ָּב ְג ָדה ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ֵתוֹע ָבה ֶנ ֶע ְשׂ ָתה ְבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Yehuda has broken faith; abhorrent things have 11 ּו ִב ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם ִּכי ִח ֵּלל ְי ּהו ָדה ֶקֹדשׁ ְי ָהֹוה been done in Yisrael and in Yerushalayim. For ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ֵהב ּו ָב ַעל ַּב ֵת־אל ֵנ ָכר׃ —Yehuda has profaned what is holy to Hashem what He desires—and espoused daughters of alien gods. יב ַי ְכֵרת ְי ָהֹוה ָל ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ָנּה ֵער May Hashem leave to him who does this no 12 ְו ֶעֹנה ֵמ ָא ֳה ֵלי ַי ֲעקֹב ּו ַמ ִּגישׁ ִמ ְנ ָחה descendants dwelling in the tents of Yaakov and ַל ָיהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .presenting offerings to thelord of Hosts יג ְוזֹאת שׁ ֵ ִנית ַּת ֲע ּשׂו ַּכ ּסוֹת ִ ּד ְמ ָעה ֶאת־ And this you do as well: You cover the mizbayach 13 ִמְז ַּבח ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ִכי ַו ֲא ָנ ָקה ֵמ ֵאין עוֹד ְּפנוֹת of Hashem with tears, weeping, and moaning, so ֶא ַל־ה ִּמ ְנ ָחה ְו ָל ַק ַחת ָרצוֹן ִמֶּי ְד ֶכם׃ that He refuses to regard the oblation any more and to accept what you offer. יד ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַע ָל־מה ַעל ִּכ ְי־י ָהֹוה ֵה ִעיד But you ask, “Because of what?” Because Hashem is 14 ֵּב ְינ ָך ּו ֵבין ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ְנ ּעוֶר ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַא ָּתה a witness between you and the wife of your youth ָּב ַג ְד ָּתה ָּב ּה ְו ִהיא ֲח ֶבְר ְּת ָך ְו ֵאשׁ ֶ ת with whom you have broken faith, though she is ְּבִר ֶית ָך׃ .your partner and covenanted spouse טו ְו ֶלֹא־א ָחד ָע ָשׂה ּושׁ ְ ָאר ּרו ַח לוֹ ּו ָמה Did not the One make [all,] so that all remaining 15 ָה ֶא ָחד ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶזַרע ֱא ִלֹהים ְו ִנשׁ ְ ַמְר ֶּתם life-breath is His? And what does that One seek but ְּב ּרו ֲח ֶכם ּו ְב ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ְנ ּעוֶר ָיך ַא ִל־י ְב ּגֹד׃ godly folk? So be careful of your life-breath, and let no one break faith with the wife of his youth.

2:7 For the lips of a Kohen guard knowledge Malachi be done only if the Kohanim themselves are men of explains that the priests’ responsibilities extend integrity and truth. Just as water can be contaminated beyond service in the Beit Hamikdash to include if kept in a rusty container, God’s teaching must be teaching Hashem’s law to the people. Knowledge protected and spread by men about whom it can be is not just conveyed; it is guarded and preserved so said “nothing perverse was on his lips; he served Me that the message is transmitted faithfully. That can with complete loyalty” (verse 6).

155 מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק ג Chapter 3

טז ִּכ ָי־שׂ ֵנא שׁ ַ ַּלח ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי For I detest divorce—said Hashem, the God of 16 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִכ ָּסה ָח ָמס ַע ְל־ל ּבושׁ וֹ ָא ַמר Yisrael—and covering oneself with lawlessness as with ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ְו ִנשׁ ְ ַמְר ֶּתם ְּב ּרו ֲח ֶכם ְולֹא a garment—said the lord of Hosts. So be careful of ִת ְב ּג ֹּדו׃ .your life-breath and do not act treacherously יז ַהוֹג ְע ֶּתם ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ִד ְבֵר ֶיכם ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַּב ָּמה You have wearied Hashem with your talk. But you 17 ָהוֹג ְע ּנו ֶּב ֱא ָמְר ֶכם ָּכ ֵל־עֹשׂה ָרע טוֹב ,ask, “By what have we wearied [Him]?” By saying ְּב ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה ּו ָב ֶהם ּהוא ָח ֵפץ אוֹ ַאֵּיה ,All who do evil are good in the sight of Hashem“ ֱא ֵלֹהי ַה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפט׃ and in them He delights,” or else, “Where is the God of justice?” א ִה ְנ ִני שׁ ֵֹל ַח ַמ ְל ָא ִכי ּו ִפ ָנּ ֶה־דֶר ְך ְל ָפ ָני Behold, I am sending My messenger to clear the 1 3 ג ּו ִפ ְתאֹם ָיבוֹא ֶא ֵל־ה ָיכלוֹ ָה ָאדוֹן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ way before Me, and the Lord whom you seek shall ַא ֶּתם ְמ ַב ְקשׁ ִ ים ּו ַמ ְל ַא ְך ַה ְּבִרית ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ come to His Temple suddenly. As for the angel of ַא ֶּתם ֲח ֵפ ִצים ִה ֵנּ ָה־בא ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה .the covenant that you desire, he is already coming ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ 2 Twelve Prophets ב ּו ִמי ְמ ַכ ְל ֵּכל ֶאת־יוֹם ּבוֹאוֹ ּו ִמי ָה ֵעֹמד But who can endure the day of his coming, and ְּב ֵהָראוֹתוֹ ִּכ ּי־הוא ְּכ ֵאשׁ ְמ ָצֵרף ּו ְכ ִבֹרית who can hold out when he appears? For he is like a ְמ ַכ ְּב ִסים׃ .smelter’s fire and like fuller’s lye ג ְוָישׁ ַ ב ְמ ָצֵרף ּו ְמ ַט ֵהר ֶּכ ֶסף ְו ִט ַהר ֶאת־ He shall act like a smelter and purger of silver; and 3 ְּב ֵנ ֵי־לִוי ְוִז ַּקק ָאֹתם ַּכָ ּז ָהב ְו ַכ ָּכ ֶסף ְו ָה ּיו he shall purify the descendants of Levi and refine ַל ָיהֹוה ַמ ִּגישׁ ֵ י ִמ ְנ ָחה ִּב ְצ ָד ָקה׃ them like gold and silver, so that they shall present offerings in righteousness. ד ְו ָעְר ָבה ַל ָיהֹוה ִמ ְנ ַחת ְי ּהו ָדה ִו ּירושׁ ָ ָל ִם Then the offerings ofYehuda and Yerushalayim shall 4 ִּכ ֵימי ָעוֹלם ּו ְכשׁ ָ ִנים ַק ְד ִמֹנ ּיוֹת׃ be pleasing to Hashem as in the days of yore and in the years of old. ה ְו ָקַר ְב ִּתי ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ַל ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפט ְו ָהִי ִיתי But [first] I will step forward to contend against 5 ֵעד ְמ ַמ ֵהר ַּב ְמ ַכשְּׁ ִפים ּו ַב ְמ ָנ ֲא ִפים you, and I will act as a relentless accuser against ּו ַב ִנּשׁ ְ ָּב ִעים ַלשָּׁ ֶקר ּו ְבעֹשׁ ְ ֵקי ְשׂ ַכ ָר־שׂ ִכיר those who have no fear of Me: Who practice ַא ְל ָמ ָנה ְוָיתוֹם ּו ַמ ֵּט ֵי־גר ְולֹא ְיֵר ּאו ִני ,sorcery, who commit adultery, who swear falsely ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ who cheat laborers of their hire, and who subvert [the cause of] the widow, orphan, and stranger, said the lord of Hosts. ו ִּכי ֲא ִני ְי ָהֹוה לֹא שׁ ָ ִנ ִיתי ְו ַא ֶּתם ְּב ֵנ ַי־י ֲעקֹב For I am Hashem—I have not changed; and you are 6 לֹא ְכ ִל ֶיתם׃ .the children of Yaakov—you have not ceased to be ז ְל ִמ ֵימי ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם ַסְר ֶּתם ֵמ ֻח ַּקי ְולֹא From the very days of your fathers you have turned 7 שׁ ְ ַמְר ֶּתם שׁ ּו ּבו ֵא ַלי ְו ָאשׁ ּו ָבה ֲא ֵל ֶיכם .away from My laws and have not observed them ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַּב ֶּמה Turn back to Me, and I will turn back to you—said ָ נ שׁ ּו ב ׃ the lord of Hosts. But you ask, “How shall we turn back?” ח ֲהִי ְק ַּבע ָא ָדם ֱא ִלֹהים ִּכי ַא ֶּתם ְקֹב ִעים Ought man to defraud Hashem? Yet you are 8 ִאֹתי ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ַּב ֶּמה ְק ַב ֲע ּנו ָך ַה ַּמ ֲע ֵשׂר defrauding Me. And you ask, “How have we been ְו ַה ְּת ּרו ָמה׃ .defrauding You?” In tithe and contribution ט ַּב ְּמ ֵאָרה ַא ֶּתם ֵנ ָאִרים ְו ִאֹתי ַא ֶּתם You are suffering under a curse, yet you go on 9 ְקֹב ִעים ַה ּגוֹי ֻּכ ּלוֹ׃ .defrauding Me—the whole nation of you

156 מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק ג Chapter 3

י ָה ִב ּיאו ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ַּמ ֲע ֵשׂר ֶא ֵּל־בית Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, and let 10 ָה ָאוֹצר ִו ִיהי ֶטֶרף ְּב ֵב ִיתי ּו ְב ָח ּנו ִני ָנא there be food in My House, and thus put Me to the ָּבזֹאת ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִאם־לֹא test—said the lord of Hosts. I will surely open ֶא ְפ ַּתח ָל ֶכם ֵאת ֲאֻר ּבוֹת ַהשָּׁ ַמִים the floodgates of the sky for you and pour down ַו ֲהִר ִיקֹתי ָל ֶכם ְּבָר ָכה ַע ְּד־ב ִל ָי־די׃ ;blessings on you יא ְו ָג ַעְר ִּתי ָל ֶכם ָּב ֵאֹכל ְו ַלֹא־ישׁ ְ ִחת ָל ֶכם and I will banish the locusts from you, so that they 11 ֶא ְּת־פִרי ָה ֲא ָד ָמה ְו ְלֹא־תשׁ ַ ֵּכל ָל ֶכם ַה ֶּג ֶפן will not destroy the yield of your soil; and your ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ vines in the field shall no longer miscarry—said the lord of Hosts. יב ְו ִאשְּׁ ּרו ֶא ְת ֶכם ָּכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ִּכ ִי־ת ְה ּיו ַא ֶּתם And all the nations shall account you happy, for 12 ֶאֶרץ ֵח ֶפץ ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ you shall be the most desired of lands—said the lord of Hosts. יג ָחְז ּקו ָע ַלי ִ ּד ְבֵר ֶיכם ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם You have spoken hard words against Me—said 13 ַמ ִה־נּ ְד ַּבְר ּנו ָע ֶל ָיך׃ Hashem. But you ask, “What have we been saying

Twelve Prophets among ourselves against You?” יד ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם שׁ ָ ְוא ֲעבֹד ֱא ִלֹהים ּו ַמ ֶּה־ב ַצע You have said, “It is useless to serve Hashem. What 14 ִּכי שׁ ָ ַמְר ּנו ִמשׁ ְ ַמְר ּתוֹ ְו ִכי ָה ַל ְכ ּנו ְק ַדֹר ִנּית have we gained by keeping His charge and walking ִמ ְּפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ ?in abject awe of the lord of Hosts טו ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו ְמ ַאשְּׁ ִרים ֵז ִדים ַּג ִם־נ ְב ּנו And so, we account the arrogant happy: they have 15 ֵעֹשׂי ִרשׁ ְ ָעה ַּגם ָּב ֲח ּנו ֱא ִלֹהים ַוִּי ָּמ ֵל ּטו׃ indeed done evil and endured; they have indeed dared Hashem and escaped.” טז ָאז ִנ ְד ְּב ּרו ִיְר ֵאי ְי ָהֹוה ִאישׁ ֶא ֵת־ר ֵע ּהו In this vein have those who revere Hashem been 16 ַוַּי ְקשׁ ֵ ב ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּישׁ ְ ָמע ַוִּי ָּכ ֵתב ֵס ֶפר ִז ָּכרוֹן talking to one another. Hashem has heard and ְל ָפ ָניו ְלִיְר ֵאי ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְלחֹשׁ ְ ֵבי שׁ ְ מוֹ׃ noted it, and a scroll of remembrance has been written at His behest concerning those who revere Hashem and esteem His name. יז ְו ָה ּיו ִלי ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ַל ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר And on the day that I am preparing, said the lord 17 ֲא ִני ֶעֹשׂה ְס ֻג ָּלה ְו ָח ַמ ְל ִּתי ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ;of Hosts, they shall be My treasured possession ַי ְחמֹל ִאישׁ ַע ְּל־בנוֹ ָה ֵעֹבד אֹתוֹ׃ I will be tender toward them as a man is tender toward a son who ministers to him. יח ְושׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ּוְר ִא ֶיתם ֵּבין ַצ ִ ּדיק ְלָרשׁ ָ ע ֵּבין And you shall come to see the difference between 18 ֵעֹבד ֱא ִלֹהים ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא ֲע ָבדוֹ׃ the righteous and the wicked, between him who has served Hashem and him who has not served Him. יט ִּכ ִי־ה ֵנּה ַה ּיוֹם ָּבא ּב ֵֹער ַּכ ַּת ּנּור ְו ָה ּיו ָכל־ .For lo! That day is at hand, burning like an oven 19 ֵז ִדים ְו ָכ ֵל־עֹשׂה ִרשׁ ְ ָעה ַקשׁ ְו ִל ַהט ָאֹתם All the arrogant and all the doers of evil shall be ַה ּיוֹם ַה ָּבא ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר straw, and the day that is coming—said the lord ַלֹא־י ֲעזֹב ָל ֶהם שׁ ֶֹרשׁ ְו ָע ָנף׃ of Hosts—shall burn them to ashes and leave of them neither stock nor boughs. כ ְוָזְר ָחה ָל ֶכם ִיְר ֵאי שׁ ְ ִמי שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ְצ ָד ָקה But for you who revere My name a sun of victory 20 ּו ַמְר ֵּפא ִּב ְכ ָנ ֶפ ָיה ִו ָיצ ֶאתם ּו ִפשׁ ְ ֶּתם shall rise to bring healing. You shall go forth and ְּכ ֶע ְג ֵלי ַמְר ֵּבק׃ ,stamp like stall-fed calves

157 מלאכי Malachi/Malachi פרק ג Chapter 3

כא ְו ַע ּס ֶוֹתם ְרשׁ ָ ִעים ִּכ ִי־י ְה ּיו ֵא ֶפר ַּת ַחת and you shall trample the wicked to a pulp, for they 21 ַּכ ּפוֹת ַר ְג ֵל ֶיכם ַּב ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲא ִני ֶעֹשׂה shall be dust beneath your feet on the day that I am ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ .preparing—said the lord of Hosts כב ִז ְכ ּרו ּת ַוֹרת מֹשׁ ֶ ה ַע ְב ִ ּדי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצִּו ִיתי ,Be mindful of the Teaching of My servant Moshe 22 אוֹתוֹ ְב ֵחֹרב ַע ָּל־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֻח ִּקים whom I charged at Horeb with laws and rules for ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ִטים׃ .all Yisrael כג ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹל ַח ָל ֶכם ֵאת ֵא ִלָּיה ַה ָנּ ִביא Lo, I will send the Navi Eliyahu to you before the 23 ִל ְפ ֵני ּבוֹא יוֹם ְי ָהֹוה ַה ָּגדוֹל ְו ַה ָנּוֹרא׃ .coming of the awesome, fearful day of Hashem hi-NAY a-no-KHEE sho-LAY-akh la-KHEM AYT ay-li-YAH ha-na-VEE lif-NAY BO YOM a-do-NAI ha-ga-DOL v’-ha-no-RA כד ְו ֵהשׁ ִ יב ֵל ָב־אבוֹת ַע ָּל־ב ִנים ְו ֵלב ָּב ִנים He shall reconcile parents with children and 24 ַע ֲל־א ָבוֹתם ֶּפ ָן־אבוֹא ְו ִה ֵּכ ִיתי ֶאת־ children with their parents, so that, when I come, I ָה ָאֶרץ ֵחֶרם׃ ]הנה אנכי שלח לכם את אליה .do not strike the whole land with utter destruction הנביא לפני בוא יום יהוה הגדול והנורא[ Lo, I will send the Navi Eliyahu to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of Hashem. Twelve Prophets

3:23 Lo, I will send the Navi Eliyahu Malachi’s last words nations, but as verse 24 continues, to “reconcile parents mark the closing of the era of prophecy. He ends his with children and children with their parents.” Only final message by stating that the day of Hashem is when our homes are filled with harmony and love, coming, preceded by the arrival of Eliyahu the prophet. teaches Malachi, can we begin to dream of peace and On that day, the prophet’s role will not be to overthrow understanding on a global scale.

158 Biographies of The Israel BibleScholars

Ahuva Balofsky — Ahuva grew up in Toronto, Canada and obtained her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Bible, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. After moving to Israel in 2004 with her family, she completed a Master’s degree in Bible at Bar Ilan University. Rabbi Avi Baumol — Rabbi Baumol, a pulpit Rabbi and Jewish educator, is currently serving the Jewish community of Krakow, . He earned a B.A. from and an M.A. in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. Rabbi Baumol is an alumnus of and received Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva University. He is the author of “The Poetry of Prayer; Tehillim in Tefillah,” Gefen Publishing, Jerusalem 2009. Rabbi Yaakov Beasley — Rabbi Beasley has been lecturing passionately on Bible in different venues in Israel and abroad for almost twenty years. His essays and articles on Bible study appear regularly in leading magazines. Rabbi Beasley is also the editor of the groundbreaking series on the Pentateuch, Torah MiEtzion, and is completing advanced Bible studies at Bar Ilan University. When not teaching, he enjoys the company of his family in their home in the Judean mountains. Josh Even-Chen — Josh is a native of North Carolina, but has called Israel his home ever since immigrating to Israel with his family in 1978. Josh graduated from Bar-Ilan University and completed a teaching degree. He now works as a tour guide who is popular with diverse groups of varied ages and backgrounds. He lives in Ma’aleh Adumim with his wife Chana and their six children. Rabbi Shmuel Jablon — Rabbi Jablon is a highly experienced Jewish educator, having served as an administrator and teacher in American Jewish day schools for over two decades. He is a rabbinic graduate of the Hebrew Theological College (“Skokie Yeshiva”), holds a Masters Degree in Education and is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America. In the summer of 5774 (2014), he fulfilled a life-long dream by making aliyah to Israel with his family.

159 Batya Markowitz — Batya is a two-time National Bible Contest winner. Growing up in Toronto, her dream was to make aliyah to Israel and become a Bible teacher. Today, Batya lives with her husband in the heart of Jerusalem, fulfilling both of those goals. Since receiving a degree in Jewish Education at Michlalah Jerusalem College, she has been teaching Jewish studies at the elementary, junior high and post high school levels. Shira Schechter – Shira graduated from Stern College with a BA in Judaic studies and received masters’ degrees in education and Bible from the Azrieli and the Bernard Revel graduate schools of Yeshiva University. Shira also studied at the Yeshiva University Graduate Program for women in Advanced Talmudic Studies, and was a teaching fellow at the Rabbi Soloveitchik Institute in Boston. Prior to making aliyah in 2013, Shira taught Bible to high school students in New Jersey. Rabbi Noam Shapiro — Rabbi Shapiro studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and has rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Rabbi Shapiro has taught Torah topics at high schools and Seminaries in the United States and Israel. Rabbi Shapiro also served as an editor for the Koren Talmud Bavli with commentary by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. He currently lives with his family in Gush Etzion, Israel. Alexander Jacob Tsykin –Born in Melbourne, Rabbi Tsykin studied in Mount Scopus Memorial College for thirteen years before spending three years at Yeshivat Har Etzion pursuing advanced studies in Jewish law. He studied for two years in Monash University, Australia, and two years in Yeshiva University, New York, where he completed a degree in Jewish Studies focusing on Modern Jewish History. Alexander lives in Alon Shevut, Israel, with his wife and son. Rabbi Naphtali (“Tuly”) Weisz — Rabbi Weisz attended Yeshiva University (BA), the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (Rabbinic Ordination) and the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law (JD). He served as the Rabbi of the Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus, Ohio before making Aliyah. Rabbi Weisz founded Israel365 and the Yeshiva for the Nations and serves as the publisher of Breaking Israel News. He is also the editor of The Israel Bible.

160 Bibliography

This bibliography contains a short biography of the scholars and historical figures mentioned in the commentary ofThe Israel Bible.

Aaronsohn, Sarah (1890–1917) — Born in Zichron Yaakov, Aaronsohn and her siblings co-founded Nili, a Jewish, pro-British espionage group, established to help liberate Palestine from Ottoman rule. Aaronsohn was captured and tortured by the Turks, and killed herself before revealing anything to her torturers. Abrabanel, Rabbi Yitzchak (1437–1508) — Born in Portugal, Abrabanel fled to Spain in 1483. He was a statesman, philosopher and Bible commentator. He tried to convince King Ferdinand to revoke the edict expelling the Jews from Spain in 1492 but was unsuccessful. Agnon, Shmuel Yosef (1888–1970) — Born in Buczacz, Galicia, Agnon immigrated to Israel in 1908. An Israeli writer, his works are published under .(שי) his initials S.Y. Agnon, and he is known in Hebrew by his acronym Shai One of the most admired Israeli authors of the 20th century, Agnon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966. Albo, Rabbi Joseph (1380–1444) — Born in Spain, Albo was a Jewish rabbi and philosopher during the 15th century. He is best known for his philosophical work, Book of the Principles, in which he discusses the fundamental beliefs of Judaism. Allon, Yigal (1918–1980) — Born in Kfar Tavor, Israel, Allon was a commander of the Palmach, a general in the IDF and an Israeli politician. He briefly served as interim Prime Minister of the State of Israel in 1969, following the death of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. Altschuler, Rabbi David (18th century) — Commonly known by the name of his commentary, Metzudat David, he lived in Galicia where he died a martyr’s death. The Metzudat David commentary is considered basic for understanding the books of the prophets. Aviner, Rabbi Shlomo (b. 1943) – Born in , Aviner immigrated to Israel at age 23. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces and studied under

161 Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook. He is the Rabbi of Beit El and head of the Ateret Yerushalayim seminary in the Old City of Jerusalem. He is the author of many books, including a commentary on the Book of Judges. Barak, Ehud (b. 1942) — Born in Mishmar Hasharon, Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Israel’s tenth Prime Minister from 1999–2001. He served in the IDF for 35 years and, along with two others, is the most decorated soldier in Israel’s history. Barbivai, Orna (b. 1962) — Born in Afula, Barbivai is a Major-General in the IDF and former head of its manpower directorate. She is the first woman to have been promoted to the rank of Major-General in the Israel Defense Forces. Bar-Ilan, Rabbi Meir (1880–1949) — Born in Russia, Bar-Ilan moved to the United States in 1915 where he became an important leader of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist Movement. He moved to Israel in 1926 where he continued to lead Mizrachi and the struggle for a Jewish state. Bar Ilan University is named in his memory. Barkat, Nir (b. 1959) — Born in Jerusalem, Barkat is an Israeli businessman and politician who has served as the mayor of Jerusalem since 2008. Bazak, Rabbi Amnon (b. 1966) – Born in Jerusalem, Bazak is a teacher of Talmud at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shevut. He is an expert in the Bible, and teaches Bible classes at the Herzog teacher’s college. He has published a number of books on the Bible. Begin, Menachem (1913–1992) — Born in , Begin became an Israeli politician, founder of the Israeli political party Likud and 6th Prime Minister of the State of Israel. Before the establishment of the State, he headed the Zionist paramilitary organization called the Irgun. As Prime Minister, Begin signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979, for which he and Anwar Sadat were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Ben-Gurion, David (1886–1973) — Born in Poland, Ben-Gurion immigrated to Israel in 1906. He is considered Israel’s “founding father,” as he formally declared the establishment of the State on May 14, 1948, and was the first to sign the Israeli Declaration of Independence which he helped write. Ben-Gurion served as the first Prime Minister of Israel. Ben-Zvi, Yitzchak (1884–1963) — Born in the Ukraine, Ben-Zvi immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1907. He was a historian and a leader of

162 the Labor Zionist movement. He served as the second president of the State of Israel from 1952 until his death in 1963. Berlin, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda (1816–1893) — Born in Belarus, Berlin is commonly known by his acronym Netziv. He was a Torah scholar and served as dean of the esteemed talmudical college of Volozhin from 1854 until it closed in 1892. Berlin authored a number of works on as well as a commentary on the Bible. Bialik, Chaim Nachman (1873–1934) — Born in the Ukraine, Bialik moved to Tel Aviv in 1924. He was one of the pioneers of Hebrew poetry and his works contributed to the revival of the . He became known as Israel’s national poet. Blech, Rabbi Benjamin (b. 1933) — Born in Zurich, Blech is a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York. He served as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Oceanside and has authored numerous books including The Secrets of Hebrew Words. Braverman, Sarah (1919–2013) — Born in Romania, Braverman immigrated to Israel at a young age. She was a member of the Palmach, parachuted into Europe with the Jewish heroine Chana Senesh, and established the IDF Women’s Corps. She is affectionately known as the “first lady of the IDF.” Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo (1925–1994) — Born in Berlin, Carlebach moved to New York in 1939. He was a rabbi, religious teacher, composer and singer. He is known as one of the foremost Jewish religious songwriters of the century as well as a pioneer of the “ movement,” working to draw unaffiliated Jews back to Judaism. Clorfene, Rabbi Chaim (b. 1939) — Born in Chicago, Illinois, Clorfene resides in , Israel. He is a recognized authority on the Third Temple and the Messianic era, has authored numerous books, and produced multiple audio dramas and video presentations on the Third Temple and other Jewish topics. Dayan, Moshe (1915–1981) — Born on Kibbutz Degania Alef, Dayan was the second child born on the first Israeli kibbutz. He was an Israeli military leader and politician, known for his role as Israeli Defense Minister during the 1967 Six-Day War as well as for his signature eye patch. Eban, Abba (1915–2002) — Born in South Africa, Eban immigrated to Israel in 1940. He was a scholar of both Arabic and Hebrew as well as an

163 Israeli diplomat and politician. Some of his different positions included Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ambassador to the United States and to the United Nations. Eshkol, Levi (1895–1969) — Born in the Ukraine, Eshkol immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1914. He served as Israel’s fourth Prime Minister from 1963 until his death in 1969. Ginsberg, Asher (1856–1927) — Born in Russia, Ginsberg moved to Israel in 1922. He was a Hebrew essayist and is considered the founder of cultural Zionism. He is primarily known by his Hebrew pen name Achad Ha’am. Glazerson, Rabbi Matityahu (b. 1937) — Born in K’far Saba, Glazerson is a rabbi, teacher, musician and composer. In his teaching, he focuses on the meaning behind the Hebrew letters and their numerical value. He has authored over 30 books. Hakham, Rabbi Amos (1921–2012) — Born in Jerusalem, Hakham was a master of the Hebrew Bible and a scholar. He was the winner of the first International Bible Contest held in Israel in 1958. Hakham authored the commentary on a number of books for the Da’at Mikra Bible series, including the commentary on the Book of Psalms. Halevi, Rabbi Judah (c. 1080 — c. 1145) – Born in Spain, Halevi was a physician, poet and philosopher. He wrote The Kuzari in defense of the teachings of Judaism. His is known to have had an intense yearning for the Holy land, and is famous for writing “My heart is in the east, and I in the uttermost west.” He died shortly after arriving in Israel. Hertz, Rabbi Joseph Herman (1872–1946) — Born in Hungary, Hertz was a rabbi and Bible scholar, and edited a notable commentary on the Pentateuch. He was the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom from 1913– 1946. Hirsch, Rabbi Samson Raphael (1808–1888) — Born in France, Hirsch was a rabbi in Frankfurt-Main and the leader of modern German-Jewish Orthodoxy. He wrote a six-volume commentary on the Pentateuch. Horowitz, Rabbi Yeshaya (1565–1630) — Born in Prague, Horowitz immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1621. He was a prominent rabbi and kabbalist and is also known as the Shelah ha-Kadosh (the holy Shelah). Ibn Ezra, Rabbi Abraham (1089–1164) — Born in Tuleda, Navarre, Ibn Ezra was a philosopher, poet, mathematician, astronomer, linguist and

164 biblical exegete. His commentary is included in most common editions of the Hebrew Bible that contain rabbinic commentary. Ickovitz, Rabbi Chaim (1749–1821) – Born in Volozhin, Ickovitz is commonly known as Rabbi . A rabbi, Talmudist and ethicist, he was the founder of the famed Volozhin talmudical college. He authored Nefesh HaChaim, a work of religious philosophy. Jacob son of Asher (c. 1275 — c. 1340) – Born in Germany, he was an influential medieval rabbi, often called the Baal HaTurim, after his main work on Jewish law, the Arbaah Turim, the Four Rows. He wrote two commentaries on the Pentateuch; a concise commentary of mystical and symbolic references in the Torah, and an exegetical commentary. Kaplan, Rabbi Aryeh (1934–1983) — Born in the Bronx, New York, Kaplan was a rabbi, educator and author. He is considered an original thinker and was known for his knowledge of physics and . Kaplan authored numerous works on a variety of topics including the Bible, Talmud, mysticism, Jewish beliefs and philosophy. Keel, Yehuda (1916–2011) — Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Keel immigrated to Israel in 1936. He was an educator and Bible commentator and served as the head of the religious education department of the Israel Ministry of Education. He headed the Da’at Mikra biblical commentary project and was awarded the Israel Prize for Jewish studies in 1992. Kimchi, Rabbi David (1160–1235) — Born in Provence, Kimchi is commonly known by his acronym Radak. A rabbi, philosopher and grammarian, he wrote a widely-studied commentary on the Bible. Kook, Rabbi Abraham Isaac (1865–1935) — Born in Latvia, Kook immigrated to Israel in 1904. He was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, founder of the Mercaz HaRav academy and is viewed as one of the fathers of . He was well known for his tremendous love for others and for his intellectual leadership helping to establish a Jewish State in the Land of Israel. Kook, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda (1891–1982) — Born in , Kook immigrated to Israel in 1904. He was a Rabbi and leader of Religious Zionism and the only son of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook. He served as head of the Mercaz HaRav seminary as well as the editor of many of his late father’s works. He continued in his father’s path of Religious Zionism and was

165 instrumental in encouraging Jews to settle in areas liberated during the Six Day War. Kollek, Theodore (1911–2007) — Born in Hungary in 1911, Kollek immigrated to Israel in 1935. He served as mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years from 1965–1993, and dedicated himself to developing the city and was awarded the Israel Prize in 1988 for his contributions to society and the State of Israel. Kremer, Rabbi Elijah (1720–1797) — Born in Lithuania, Kremer was a Talmudist, a master of Jewish law and a kabbalist. Because of his brilliance and mastery of text he is known as the “Genius of Vilna.” Leibowitz, Nechama (1905–1997) — Born in Riga, Latvia, Leibowitz immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1930. She was a Bible scholar and master educator who inspired many to study the Bible. She was known for her worksheets containing questions on the weekly Torah portion which she would personally review, correct and return. Leibtag, Rabbi Menachem (b. 1958) – Born in Ohio, Leibtag immigrated to Israel where he is a Bible scholar, noted lecturer and pioneer of Jewish education on the internet. He teaches a thematic-analytic approach to biblical study, emphasizing biblical theme and structure, that combines traditional Jewish approaches with modern scholarship. Levi ben Gershon (1288–1344) — Born in France, he is commonly known by his acronym Ralbag or Gersonides. He was a philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, Talmudist and Bible commentator. Levin, Rabbi Aryeh (1885–1969) — Born in Poland, Levin was a rabbi and scholar known for his warmth, kindness, humility and love of every person. After immigrating to Israel, he became known as the “Father of the Prisoners” for his role as Jewish prison chaplain, bringing love, encouragement and hope to those behind bars. Lichtman, Rabbi Moshe — Born in New Jersey, Lichtman immigrated to Israel in 1991. He is a rabbi, teacher and author, and is known for his translations of various Hebrew texts and for his work, Eretz Yisrael in the Parshah and A Drop in the Ocean. Luntschitz, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim (1550–1619) — Born in Poland, Luntschitz served as the Rabbi of Prague from 1604–1619 and was best known for his Torah commentary Kli Yakar.

166 Luria, Rabbi Isaac (1534–1572) — Born in Jerusalem, Luria is commonly known as the Arizal (the Ari of blessed memory). He became a rabbi and Jewish kabbalist in the mystical city of Safed. He is considered to be the father of contemporary Jewish mysticism. (1135–1204) — Born in Spain, Maimonides is commonly known as Rambam, the acronym of his name Rabbi Moshe ben (son of) Maimon. He was a preeminent Jewish legal scholar and philosopher, as well as a renowned physician. His numerous works include “The Guide for the Perplexed,” the main source of his philosophical views, and the “,” his seminal codification of Jewish law. He is buried in , Israel. Meir, Golda (1898–1978) — Born in Kiev, Meir immigrated first to the United States and then to the Land of Israel in 1921. She served as Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, the only woman to have held this position to date. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926) — Born in Lithuania, he was a rabbi and prominent leader of the Orthodox Jewish community of Eastern Europe. He is known for his writings on Maimonides’ work of Jewish law, called Ohr Sameach, as well as his commentary on the Torah called Meshech Chochmah. Meiri, Rabbi Menachem (1249- c. 1310) — Born in Southern France, Meiri was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar. His commentary on the Talmud is considered one of the most monumental works on the Talmud. Morgensztern, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (1787–1859) — Born in Poland, Morgensztern is also known as the Kotzker Rebbe. He was a Hasidic rabbi and leader, known for his sharp-witted sayings and down-to-earth philosophies. Munk, Rabbi Michael (1905–1985) — Born in Berlin, Munk was an educator, author and activist. He founded the Adath Yisrael Synagogue of Hendon in London, and was the founding principal of the largest Orthodox Jewish school for girls in America. Nahmanides (1194–1270) – Born in Spain, Rabbi Moshe ben (son of) Nachman is also known by his acronym the Ramban. He was one of the leading Torah scholars of the Middle Ages, and authored numerous works on Torah subjects, including a famed commentary on the Pentateuch. Navon, Yitzchak (1921–2015) — Born in Jerusalem, Navon became an Israeli political and diplomat, author, and linguist. He served as the fifth president of the State of Israel from 1978–1983.

167 Netanyahu, Benjamin (b. 1949) — Born in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu is an Israeli politician, a veteran of an elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces, and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In March 2015, he was elected to his fourth term as Prime Minister of the State of Israel. Peres, Shimon (1923–2016) — Born in Poland, Peres immigrated to Israel in 1934. He was an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1984–1986, and from 1995–1996. He was also Israel’s ninth president from 2007–2014. Rabin, Yitzchak (1922–1995) — Born in Jerusalem, Rabin was an Israeli politician who served two terms as Prime Minister of the State of Israel, from 1974–1977 and again from 1992 until his assassination in 1995. Riskin, Rabbi Shlomo (b. 1940) — Born in , Riskin served as a rabbi in New York before immigrating to Israel in 1983 to become the founding chief rabbi of Efrat. He is also the founder and chancellor of , a network of Jewish educational institutions in America and Israel. Rivlin, Reuven (b. 1939) — Born in Jerusalem, Rivlin is an Israeli lawyer and politician who has been serving as Israel’s 10th president since 2014. Rosen, Rabbi Joseph (1858–1936) — Born in Rogachev, Belarus, Rosen was one of the most prominent Talmudic scholars of the early 20th century. He is known as the “Genius of Rogachev” because of his photographic memory and his ability to use seemingly unrelated Talmudic passages to elucidate a question or area of Jewish law under discussion. Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan (b. 1948) — Born in London, England, Sacks is a rabbi, scholar and philosopher, and has authored more than 25 books. Sacks served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years. Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (1902–1994) — Born in Russia, Schneerson immigrated to the United States in 1941. He was the last leader of the -Lubavitch Hasidic movement and one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. Senesh, Chana (1921–1944) – Born in Hungary, Senesh immigrated to Israel in 1939. She was one of the 37 Jews from Mandatory Palestine parachuted into Yugoslavia by the British Army in an effort to save Jews from deportation to Auschwitz. She was ultimately caught and executed. She is remembered for her heroism as well as her poetry.

168 Sforno, Rabbi Obadiah (c. 1470- 1550) — Born in Italy, Sforno was a rabbi, philosopher and physician. His commentary on the Bible often reflects his knowledge of natural sciences. His commentaries on Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs were dedicated to King Henry II of France, demonstrating a close relationship between them. Shamir, Yitzchak (1915–2012) — Born in Ruzinoy, Poland, Shamir immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1935. He was an Israeli politician who served as both Israel’s eighth and tenth Prime Minister, from 1983–1984 and 1986–1992. Sharansky, Natan (b. 1948) — Born in the former Soviet Union, Sharansky is an Israeli politician and human rights activist and a former Russian . He immigrated to Israel following his release from Soviet prison in 1986, and has served as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency since 2009. Sharett, Moshe (1894–1965) — Born in the Ukraine, Sharett immigrated to Israel in 1906. He was the second Prime Minister of the State of Israel, serving from 1954–1955, and also served as Israel’s Foreign Minister from 1955–1956. Sharon, Ariel (1928–2014) — Born in the Israeli agricultural community of Kfar Malal, Sharon was an Israeli general and politician. He served as Israel’s eleventh Prime Minister from 2001–2006. Shazar, Zalman (1889–1974) — Born in Belarus, Shazar immigrated to Israel in 1924. An Israeli politician, author and poet, he was the president of the State of Israel from 1963–1973. Shemer, Naomi (1930–2004) — Born on Kibbutz Kvutzat Kinneret, Shemer became a well-known Israeli singer, songwriter and composer. Her most famous song, Yerushalayim shel zahav, Jerusalem of Gold, was written in 1967 and is considered by some to be an informal second Israeli national anthem. Shlomo son of Yitzchak (1040–1105) — Born in France, he is commonly known by his acronym Rashi. He wrote extensive commentaries on the Bible and Talmud, and his comments are considered the most basic for understanding both the Pentateuch and the Talmud. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812) – Born in Belarus, he was the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty of . He is known as the Baal Hatanya, the Master of the Tanya, for his work on Hasidic Jewish

169 philosophy and is author of various works on , law and prayer. Slifkin, Rabbi Natan (b. 1975) — Born in England, Slifkin immigrated to Israel where he is a rabbi, educator and author popularly known as the “Zoo Rabbi.” He has authored texts on zoology and science and their relationship to the Torah, and is the director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Joseph B. (1903–1993) – Born in Poland, Soloveitchik was a renowned religious leader, Talmudic scholar, author and modern Jewish philosopher. He headed the rabbinical school of Yeshiva University in New York. Sorotzkin, Rabbi Zalman (1881–1966) – Born in Lithuania, Sorotzkin was a Torah commentator who published a commentary on the Pentateuch known as Oznaim L’Torah. Stavsky, Rabbi David (1930–2004) — Born in New York City, Stavsky was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain in the U.S. Army and the rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus, Ohio from 1957 until his death in 2004. Teichman, Rabbi Zvi — Rabbi and head of the Torah study program at Ohel Moshe in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been involved in Jewish education for over 25 years and authored Eretz HaTzvi, a guide to the commandments that pertain specifically to the Land of Israel. Weiser, Rabbi Meir Leibush (1809–1879) — Born in Volochisk, Volhynia, Weiser is known by his acronym, Malbim. He was a rabbi, master of Hebrew grammar and a Bible commentator. He is known for his principle that every word in the Torah carries its own meaning, even distinct from its synonyms. Weizmann, Chaim (1874–1952) — Born in Belarus, Weizmann immigrated to Israel, settling in Rechovot in 1937, and served as the first president of the State of Israel from 1949–1952. A biochemist, he founded the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rechovot, Israel and helped establish the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Wiesel, Elie (1928–2016) — Born in Romania, Weisel was a professor, political activist and the author of 57 books. A Holocaust survivor, his writings are considered among the most significant in Holocaust literature. Willig, Rabbi Mordechai (b. 1947) — Born in New York, Willig has been the rabbi and spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Riverdale synagogue

170 since 1974. He is also a renowned scholar and professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York. Yadin, Yigael (1917–1984) — Born in Jerusalem, Yadin was an Israeli archeologist, politician and the second Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Yogev, Motti (b. 1956) — Born in Haifa, Yogev is an Israeli politician and member of the Israeli parliament. He previously served as secretary general of the Israeli branch of Bnei Akiva, the largest religious Zionist youth movement in the world, as well as deputy chairman of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council.

171 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַע ִּמ ֵיאל Amiel Ammiel a-mee-AYL ַע ִּמ ָינ ָדב Aminadav Amminadab a-mee-na-DAV List of Transliterated Words ֲא ִמ ַּתי Amitai Amittai a-mi-TAI in The Israel Bible ַא ְמנֹן Amnon Amnon am-NON ָאמוֹ ן Amon Amon a-MON The following is a list of nouns which have been transliterated into Hebrew ָעמוֹ ס Amos Amos a-MOS :in the English translation and commentary of The Israel Bible ָאמוֹ ץ Amotz Amoz a-MOTZ ַע ְמָרם Amram Amram am-RAM ֲע ָנתוֹ ת Anatot Anathoth a-na-TOT Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֲארוֹ ן Aron Ark a-RON ָע ָכן Achan Achan a-KHAN ֲארוֹן ַה ְּבִרית Aron HaBrit Ark of the Covenant a-RON ha-b’-REET ַא ְח ָאב Achav Ahab akh-AV ַ א ְ ר ּ ַ פ ְ כ שׁ ָ ד Arpachshad Arpachshad ar-pakh-SHAD ָא ָחז Achaz Ahaz a-KHAZ ָא ָסא Asa Asa a-SA ֲא ַחְזָי ּהו Achazyahu Ahaziah a-khaz-YA-hu ֲע ָש ֵׂהאל Asael Asahel a-sah-AYL ֲא ִח ֶיעֶזר Achiezer Ahiezer a-khee-E-zer ָא ָסף Asaf Asaph a-SAF ֲא ִח ּיהוד Achihud Ahihud a-khee-HUD ַ א שׁ ְ ּ ד ֹ ו ד Ashdod Ashdod ash-DOD ֲא ִח ָיקם Achikam Ahikam a-khee-KAM ָ א שׁ ֵ ר Asher Asher a-SHAYR ֲא ִח ּילוד Achilud Ahilud a-khee-LUD ַ א שׁ ְ ְ ק ל ֹ ו ן Ashkelon Ashkelon ash-k’-LON ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך Achimelech Ahimelech a-khee-ME-lekh ֲע ַת ְלָיה Atalya Athaliah a-tal-YAH ֲא ִח ַירע Achira Ahira a-khee-RA ַע ְב ּדוֹ ן Abdon av-DON ֲא ִח ָיס ָמ ְך Achisamach Ahisamach a-khee-sa-MAKH ֲא ִב ַיחִיל Avichayil Abihail a-vee-KHA-yil ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל Achitofel Ahithophel a-khee-TO-fel ֲא ִב ָידן Avidan Abidan a-vee-DAN ֲא ִח ּיטוב Achituv Ahitub a-khee-TUV ֲא ִב ַיגִיל Avigail Abigail a-vee-GA-yil ֲא ִחָּיה Achiya Ahijah a-khi-YAH ֲא ִב ּיהוא Avihu Abihu a-vee-HU ָא ָדם Adam Adam a-DAM ֲא ִב ֶימ ֶל ְך Avimelech Abimelech a-vee-ME-lekh ֲא ָדר Adar Adar a-DAR ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב Avinadav Abinadab a-vee-na-DAV ֲא ִדֹנָּי ּהו Adoniyahu Adonijah a-do-ni-YA-hu ֲא ִב ָירם Aviram Abiram a-vee-RAM ֲע ֻד ָּלם Adulam Adullam a-du-LAM ֲ א ִ ב י שׁ ַ י Avishai Abishai a-vee-SHAI ָא ּגור Agur Agur a-GUR ֲא ִבָּיה Aviya Abijah a-vi-YAH ַא ֲהרֹן Aharon Aaron a-ha-RON ֲא ִבָּים Aviyam Abijam a-vi-YAM ֲע ָמ ָשׂא Amasa Amasa a-ma-SA ַא ְב ֵנר Avner Abner av-NAYR ֲא ַמ ְצָיה Amatzya Amaziah a-matz-YAH ַא ְבָר ָהם Avraham Abraham av-ra-HAM ָא ֵמן Amen Amen a-MAYN

172 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַע ִּמ ֵיאל Amiel Ammiel a-mee-AYL ַע ִּמ ָינ ָדב Aminadav Amminadab a-mee-na-DAV ֲא ִמ ַּתי Amitai Amittai a-mi-TAI ַא ְמנֹן Amnon Amnon am-NON ָאמוֹ ן Amon Amon a-MON ָעמוֹ ס Amos Amos a-MOS ָאמוֹ ץ Amotz Amoz a-MOTZ ַע ְמָרם Amram Amram am-RAM ֲע ָנתוֹ ת Anatot Anathoth a-na-TOT ֲארוֹ ן Aron Ark a-RON ֲארוֹן ַה ְּבִרית Aron HaBrit Ark of the Covenant a-RON ha-b’-REET ַ א ְ ר ּ ַ פ ְ כ שׁ ָ ד Arpachshad Arpachshad ar-pakh-SHAD ָא ָסא Asa Asa a-SA ֲע ָש ֵׂהאל Asael Asahel a-sah-AYL ָא ָסף Asaf Asaph a-SAF ַ א שׁ ְ ּ ד ֹ ו ד Ashdod Ashdod ash-DOD ָ א שׁ ֵ ר Asher Asher a-SHAYR ַ א שׁ ְ ְ ק ל ֹ ו ן Ashkelon Ashkelon ash-k’-LON ֲע ַת ְלָיה Atalya Athaliah a-tal-YAH ַע ְב ּדוֹ ן Avdon Abdon av-DON ֲא ִב ַיחִיל Avichayil Abihail a-vee-KHA-yil ֲא ִב ָידן Avidan Abidan a-vee-DAN ֲא ִב ַיגִיל Avigail Abigail a-vee-GA-yil ֲא ִב ּיהוא Avihu Abihu a-vee-HU ֲא ִב ֶימ ֶל ְך Avimelech Abimelech a-vee-ME-lekh ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב Avinadav Abinadab a-vee-na-DAV ֲא ִב ָירם Aviram Abiram a-vee-RAM ֲ א ִ ב י שׁ ַ י Avishai Abishai a-vee-SHAI ֲא ִבָּיה Aviya Abijah a-vi-YAH ֲא ִבָּים Aviyam Abijam a-vi-YAM ַא ְב ֵנר Avner Abner av-NAYR ַא ְבָר ָהם Avraham Abraham av-ra-HAM

173 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַא ְבָרם Avram Abram av-RAM ֲח ָנ ִני Chanani Hanani kha-NA-nee ַ א ְ ב שׁ ָ ל ֹ ו ם Avshalom Absalom av-sha-LOM ֲח ַנ ְנָיה Chananya Hananiah kha-nan-YAH ֲעַזְרָיה Azarya Azariah a-zar-YAH ַח ִנּ ֵיאל Chaniel Hanniel kha-nee-AYL ְ ֲעֵז ָקה Azeika Azekah a-zay-KAH ֲחנוֹ ך Chanoch Enoch kha-NOKH ַעָ ּזה Azza Gaza a-ZAH ַחָּוה Chava Eve kha-VAH ְ ּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל B’nei Yisrael The Children of b’-NAY yis-ra-AYL ֲח ַב ּק ּוק Chavakuk Habakkuk kha-va-KUK Israel ֶח ְרמוֹ ן Chermon Hermon kher-MON ָּבָרק Barak Barak ba-rakh-AYL ֶח ְצרוֹ ן Chetzron Hezron khetz-RON ָּב ּרו ְך Baruch Baruch ba-RUKH ֶח ֶבר Chever Heber KHE-ver ַּבְרִז ַּלי Barzilai Barzillai bar-zi-LAI ֶח ְברוֹ ן Chevron Hebron khev-RON ַ ּ ב ְ ע שׁ ָ א Basha Baasa ba-SHA ִח ְל ִקָּי ּהו Chilkiyahu Hilkiah khil-ki-YA-hu ַּבת-שׁ ֶ ַבע Batsheva Bath-sheba bat-SHE-va ִחְז ִקָּי ּהו Chizkiyahu Hezekiah khiz-ki-YA-hu ְ ּ ב ֵ א ר שׁ ֶ ַ ב ע Be’er Sheva Beer-sheba b’-AYR SHE-va ָח ְפ ִני Chofni Hophni khof-NEE ְּב ֵאִרי Be’eri Beeri b’-ay-REE ֻח ְל ָ ּדה Chulda Hulda khul-DAH ֵּבית ָאֶון Beit Aven Beth-aven bayt A-ven ּחור Chur Hur Khur ֵּבית ֵאל Beit El Beth-el bayt el ָ ּדן Dan Dan Dan ֵּבית ַה ִּמ ְק ָ ּדשׁ Beit Hamikdash Temple bayt ha-mik-DASH ָ ּד ִנֵּיאל Daniel Daniel da-ni-YAYL ֵּבית ֶל ֶחם Beit Lechem Beth-lehem bayt LE-khem ָ ּד ָתן Datan Dathan da-TAN ֵּבית ׁ ְש ָאן Beit Shean Beth-shean bayt sh’-AN ָ ּדִוד David David da-VID ֵ ּ ב י ת שׁ ֶ ֶ מ שׁ Beit Shemesh Beth-shemesh bayt SHE-mesh ְ ּדבוֹ ָרה Devora Deborah d’-vo-RAH ֶּבֶר ְכָיה Berechya Berechiah be-rekh-YAH ִד ָינה Dina Dinah DEE-nah ְּב ַצ ְל ֵאל Betzalel Bezalel b’-tzal-AYL ּד ֵוֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי Doeg Ha’adomi Doeg the Edomite do-AYG ha-a-do-MEE ִּב ְל ָהה Bilha Bilhah bil-HAH ֶא ְפָרִים Efraim Ephraim ef-RA-yim ִּב ְנָי ִמין Binyamin Benjamin bin-ya-MIN ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrat ef-RAT ּב ַֹעז Boaz Boaz BO-az ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrathah ef-RA-tah ֻּב ִּקי Buki Bukki bu-KEE ֵא ּהוד Ehud Ehud ay-HUD ּב ּוִזי Buzi Buzi bu-ZEE ֵא ָלה Eila Elah AY-lah ַּכְר ֶמל Carmel Carmel kar-MEL ֵאילוֹן Eilon Elon ay-LON ֲח ַכ ְלָיה Chachalya Hacaliah kha-khal-YAH ֵעין ֶּג ִדי Ein Gedi En-gedi ayn GE-dee ַח ַּגי Chagai Haggai kha-GAI ַהר ֵע ָיבל Mount) Eival (Mount) Ebal ay-VAL) ָח ְג ָלה Chagla Hoglah khag-LAH ֶא ְל ָעָזר Elazar Eleazar el-a-ZAR ַח ָנּ ה Chana Hannah kha-NAH ֶא ְל ָח ָנן Elchanan Elhanan el-kha-NAN ֲח ַנ ְמ ֵאל Chanamel Hanamel kha-nam-AYL ֵע ִלי Eli Eli ay-LEE

174 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֲח ָנ ִני Chanani Hanani kha-NA-nee ֲח ַנ ְנָיה Chananya Hananiah kha-nan-YAH ַח ִנּ ֵיאל Chaniel Hanniel kha-nee-AYL ֲחנוֹ ְך Chanoch Enoch kha-NOKH ַחָּוה Chava Eve kha-VAH ֲח ַב ּק ּוק Chavakuk Habakkuk kha-va-KUK ֶח ְרמוֹ ן Chermon Hermon kher-MON ֶח ְצרוֹ ן Chetzron Hezron khetz-RON ֶח ֶבר Chever Heber KHE-ver ֶח ְברוֹ ן Chevron Hebron khev-RON ִח ְל ִקָּי ּהו Chilkiyahu Hilkiah khil-ki-YA-hu ִחְז ִקָּי ּהו Chizkiyahu Hezekiah khiz-ki-YA-hu ָח ְפ ִני Chofni Hophni khof-NEE ֻח ְל ָ ּדה Chulda Hulda khul-DAH ּחור Chur Hur Khur ָ ּדן Dan Dan Dan ָ ּד ִנֵּיאל Daniel Daniel da-ni-YAYL ָ ּד ָתן Datan Dathan da-TAN ָ ּדִוד David David da-VID ְ ּדבוֹ ָרה Devora Deborah d’-vo-RAH ִד ָינה Dina Dinah DEE-nah ּד ֵוֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי Doeg Ha’adomi Doeg the Edomite do-AYG ha-a-do-MEE ֶא ְפָרִים Efraim Ephraim ef-RA-yim ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrat ef-RAT ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrathah ef-RA-tah ֵא ּהוד Ehud Ehud ay-HUD ֵא ָלה Eila Elah AY-lah ֵאילוֹן Eilon Elon ay-LON ֵעין ֶּג ִדי Ein Gedi En-gedi ayn GE-dee ַהר ֵע ָיבל Mount) Eival (Mount) Ebal ay-VAL) ֶא ְל ָעָזר Elazar Eleazar el-a-ZAR ֶא ְל ָח ָנן Elchanan Elhanan el-kha-NAN ֵע ִלי Eli Eli ay-LEE

175 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֱא ִל ָיאב Eliav Eliab e-lee-AV ְּג ּאו ֵאל Geuel Geuel g’-u-AYL ֱא ִל ָידד Elidad Elidad e-lee-DAD ִּגיחוֹן Gichon Gihon gee-KHON ֱא ִל ֶיעֶזר Eliezer Eliezer e-lee-E-zer ִג ְדעוֹ ן Gidon Gideon gid-ON ֱא ִל ֶימ ֶל ְך Elimelech Elimelech e-lee-ME-lekh ִג ְל ָעד Gilad Gilead gil-AD ֱ א ִ ל י שׁ ָ ע Elisha Elisha e-lee-SHA ִּג ְל ָּגל Gilgal Gilgal gil-GAL ֱ א ִ ל י שׁ ָ ָ מ ע Elishama Elishama e-lee-sha-MA ִּג ְב ָעה Giva Gibeah giv-AH ֱא ִל ׁ ֶיש ַבע Elisheva Elisheba e-lee-SHE-va ִ ּג ְבעוֹ ן Givon Gibeon giv-ON ֱא ִל ָיצ ָפן Elitzafan Eli-zaphan e-lee-tza-FAN ֲה ַד ָּסה Hadassa Hadassah ha-da-SAH ֱא ִל ּיצור Elitzur Elizur e-lee-TZUR ַהר ַה ַּבִית Har HaBayit Temple Mount har ha-BA-yit ֵא ִלָּי ּהו Eliyahu Elijah ay-li-YA-hu ַהר ַהֵ ּז ִיתים Har HaZeitim the Mount of Olives har ha-zay-TEEM ֶא ְל ָק ָנה Hashem Lord/God Elkana Elkanah el-ka-NAH ֶא ְלָי ָסף Elyasaf Eliasaph el-ya-SAF ֵה ָימן Hayman Heman hay-MAN ֶ א ְ ל ָ י שׁ ִ י ב Elyashiv Eliashib el-ya-SHEEV ה ֹ ו שׁ ֵ ַ ע Hoshea Hosea ho-SHAY-a ֱ א נ ֹ ו שׁ Enosh Enosh e-NOSH ִע ּדוֹ Ido Iddo i-DO ֵער Er Er ayr ִע ָּמ ּנו ֵאל Imanu-El Immanuel i-MA-nu ayl ֶאשׁ ְ ָּתאֹל Eshtaol Eshtaol esh-ta-OL ִאישׁ ּ-בֹשׁ ֶ ת Ish-boshet Ish-bosheth eesh BO-shet ֶא ְס ֵּתר Esther Esther es-TAYR ִא ָית ָמר Itamar Ithamar ee-ta-MAR ֶע ֶב ֶד־מ ֶל ְך Eved Melech Ebed-melech E-ved ME-lekh ִא ִית ֵיאל Itiel Ithiel ee-tee-AYL ֶא ֶבן ָה ֶעֶזר Even Ha-Ezer Eben-Ezer E-ven ha-E-zer ִא ְב ָצן Ivtzan Ibzan iv-TZAN ֵע ֶבר Ever Eber AY-ver ִא ּיוֹ ב Iyov Job i-YOV ֶא ְבָי ָתר Evyatar Abiathar ev-ya-TAR ַק ְד ִמ ֵיאל Kadmiel Kadmiel kad-mee-AYL ֶעְזָרא Ezra Ezra ez-RA ָּכ ֵלב Kalev Caleb ka-LAYV ָּגד Gad Gad gad ִ ק י שׁ Keesh Kish keesh ַּג ִ ּדי Gadi Gaddi ga-DEE ְק ָהת Kehat Kohath k’-HAT ַּג ִ ּד ֵיאל Gadiel Gaddiel ga-dee-AYL ֵק ָינן Keinan Kenan kay-NAN ַּג ְמ ִל ֵיאל Gamliel Gamaliel gam-lee-AYL ְק ּמו ֵאל Kemuel Kemuel k’-mu-AYL ְּג ַד ְלָי ּהו (Gedalia Gedaliah g’-dal-YA (hu ְּכ ּרו ִבים Keruvim Cherubim k’-ru-VEEM ְּג ֵדָרה Gedera Gederah g’-day-RAH ִכ ְליוֹ ן Kilyon Chilion kil-YON ַהר ְּגִרִזים Mount) Gerizim (Mount) Gerizim g’-ri-ZEEM) ִקְרַית ַאְר ַּבע Kiryat Arba Kiriath-arba keer-YAT AR-bah ֵ ּ ג ְ ר שׁ ֹ ו ם Gershom Gershom gay-r’-SHOM ִקְרַי ֵת-ס ֶפר Kiryat Sefer Kiriath-sepher keer-YAT SAY-fer ֵ ג ְ ר שׁ ֹ ו ן Gershon Gershon gay-r’-SHON ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים Kiryat Ye’arim Kiriath-jearim keer-YAT y’-a-REEM ֶ ג שׁ ֶ ם Geshem Geshem GE-shem ִּכ ְס ֵלו Kislev Chislev kis-LAYV

176 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ְּג ּאו ֵאל Geuel Geuel g’-u-AYL ִּגיחוֹן Gichon Gihon gee-KHON ִג ְדעוֹ ן Gidon Gideon gid-ON ִג ְל ָעד Gilad Gilead gil-AD ִּג ְל ָּגל Gilgal Gilgal gil-GAL ִּג ְב ָעה Giva Gibeah giv-AH ִ ּג ְבעוֹ ן Givon Gibeon giv-ON ֲה ַד ָּסה Hadassa Hadassah ha-da-SAH ַהר ַה ַּבִית Har HaBayit Temple Mount har ha-BA-yit ַהר ַהֵ ּז ִיתים Har HaZeitim the Mount of Olives har ha-zay-TEEM Hashem Lord/God ֵה ָימן Hayman Heman hay-MAN ה ֹ ו שׁ ֵ ַ ע Hoshea Hosea ho-SHAY-a ִע ּדוֹ Ido Iddo i-DO ִע ָּמ ּנו ֵאל Imanu-El Immanuel i-MA-nu ayl ִאישׁ ּ-בֹשׁ ֶ ת Ish-boshet Ish-bosheth eesh BO-shet ִא ָית ָמר Itamar Ithamar ee-ta-MAR ִא ִית ֵיאל Itiel Ithiel ee-tee-AYL ִא ְב ָצן Ivtzan Ibzan iv-TZAN ִא ּיוֹ ב Iyov Job i-YOV ַק ְד ִמ ֵיאל Kadmiel Kadmiel kad-mee-AYL ָּכ ֵלב Kalev Caleb ka-LAYV ִ ק י שׁ Keesh Kish keesh ְק ָהת Kehat Kohath k’-HAT ֵק ָינן Keinan Kenan kay-NAN ְק ּמו ֵאל Kemuel Kemuel k’-mu-AYL ְּכ ּרו ִבים Keruvim Cherubim k’-ru-VEEM ִכ ְליוֹ ן Kilyon Chilion kil-YON ִקְרַית ַאְר ַּבע Kiryat Arba Kiriath-arba keer-YAT AR-bah ִקְרַי ֵת-ס ֶפר Kiryat Sefer Kiriath-sepher keer-YAT SAY-fer ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים Kiryat Ye’arim Kiriath-jearim keer-YAT y’-a-REEM ִּכ ְס ֵלו Kislev Chislev kis-LAYV

177 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ּכ ֲֹה ִנים Kohanim Priests ko-ha-NEEM ֶקֹה ֶלת Kohelet Koheleth ko-HE-let ּכ ֵֹהן Kohen Priest ko-HAYN ּכ ֵֹהן ָּגדוֹל Kohen Gadol High Priest ko-HAYN ga-DOL ַקֹרח Korach Korah KO-rakh ּ כ ּ ו שׁ ִ י Kushi Cushi ku-SHEE ָ ל ִ כ י שׁ Lachish Lachish la-KHEESH ֵל ָאה Leah Leah lay-AH ֶל ֶמ ְך Lemech Lamech LE-mekh ְל ּמו ֵאל Lemuel Lemuel l’-mu-AYL ֵלִוי Levi Levi lay-VEE ְלִוִּים Leviim Levites l’-vee-IM ַמ ְח ָלה Machla Mahlah makh-LAH ַמ ְחלוֹ ן Machlon Mahlon makh-LON ַמ ְח ֵסָיה Machseya Mahseiah makh-say-YAH ַמ ְל ָא ִכי Malachi Malachi mal-a-KHEE ָמנוֹ ַח Manoach Manoah ma-NO-akh ָמׁ ִש ַיח Mashiach Messiah ma-SHEE-akh ְמ ִפ ׁ ֶיבֹשת Mefiboshet Mephibosheth m’-fee-VO-shet ַמ ֲה ַל ְל ֵאל Mehalalel Mahalalel ma-ha-lal-AYL ְמ ַנ ֵחם Menachem Menahem m’-na-KHAYM ְמַנֶּשׁה Menashe Menasseh m’-na-SHEH ְמ ָנֹרה Menorah Candlestick m’-no-RAH ְמָרִרי Merari Merari m’-ra-REE ְמ ּתוׁ ֶש ַלח Metushelach Methusaleh m’-tu-SHE-lakh ִמ ָיכה Micha Micah mee-KHAH ִמ ָיכ ֵאל Michael Michael mee-kha-AYL ִמ ָיכְי ּהו Michaihu Micaiah mee-KHAI-hu ִמ ַיכל Michal Michal mee-KHAL ִמ ְל ָּכה Milka Milcah mil-KAH ִמְרָים Miriam Miriam mir-YAM ִ מ י שׁ ָ ֵ א ל Mishael Mishael mee-sha-AYL

178 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִמְשַּׁכן Mishkan Tabernacle mish-KAN ִמ ְצ ָּפה Mitzpa Mizpah mitz-PAH ִּמְז ֵּב ַח Mizbayach Altar miz-BAY-akh ָמְר ֳ ּד ַכי Mordechai Mordecai mor-d’-KHAI מוֹ ִר ָ ּיה Moriah Moriah mo-ri-YAH ׁ ֶמֹשה Moshe Moses mo-SHEH ַנ ְח ִּבי Nachbi Nahbi nakh-BEE ָנחוֹ ר Nachor Nahor na-KHOR ַ נ ְ ח שׁ ֹ ו ן Nachshon Nahshon nakh-SHON ַנ ּחום Nachum Nahum na-KHUM ָנ ָדב Nadav Nadab na-DAV ַנ ְפ ָּת ִלי Naftali Naphtali naf-ta-LEE ָנ ֳע ִמי Naomi Naomi na-o-MEE ָנ ָתן Natan Nathan na-TAN ָנ ָבל Naval Nabal na-VAL ָנ ִביא Navi Prophet na-VEE ָנ ָבל Navot Naboth na-VAL ְנ ֶח ְמָיה Nechemya Nehemiah n’-khem-YAH ֶנ ֶגב Negev Negeb NE-gev ֵנִרָּיה Nerya Neriah nay-ri-YAH ְנ ַת ְנ ֵאל Netanel Nethanel n’-tan-AYL ְנּ ִב ָיאה Neviah Prophetess n’-vee-AH ְנּ ִב ִיאים Neviim Prophets n’-vee-EEM ִנ ָיסן Nisan Nisan nee-SAN ָנֹעה Noa Noah no-AH ַנֹח Noach Noah NO-akh נֹב Nov Nob nov ּנון Nun Nun nun עוֹ ֵדד Oded Oded o-DAYD ָא ֳה ָלה Ohola Oholah a-ho-LAH ָא ֳה ִל ָיאב Oholiav Oholiab o-ha-lee-AV ָא ֳה ִל ָיבה Oholiva Oholibah a-ho-lee-VAH

179 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ָע ְמִרי Omri Omri om-REE אוֹ ָנן Onan Onan o-NAN ָע ְת ִנ ֵיאל Otniel Othniel ot-nee-AYL ַעֹב ְדָיה Ovadya Obadiah o-vad-YAH עוֹ ֵבד Oved Obed o-VAYD ֵעוֹבד ֱאדוֹם Oved Edom Obed Edom o-VAYD e-DOM ַּפ ְג ִע ֵיאל Pagiel Pagiel pag-ee-AYL ַּפ ְל ִטי Palti Palti pal-TEE ַּפ ְל ִט ֵיאל Paltiel Paltiel pal-tee-AYL ֶּפ ַקח Pekach Pekah PE-kakh ְּפ ַד ְה ֵאל Pedael Pedahel p’-da-AYL ְּפ ַק ְחָיה Pekachya Pekahiah p’-kakh-YAH ָּפ ֶלג Peleg Peleg PE-leg ּ ְפ ִנ ָנּ ה Penina Peninnah p’-ni-NAH ֶּפֶרץ Peretz Perez PE-retz ְּפ ּתו ֵאל Petuel Pethuel p’-tu-AYL ִּפ ְינ ָחס Pinchas Phinehas peen-KHAS ָר ֵחל Rachel Rachel ra-KHAYL ָרם Ram Ram ram ָר ָמה Rama Ramah ra-MAH ְר ּעו Re’u Reu r’-U ְר ַח ְב ָעם Rechovam Rehoboam r’-khav-AM ְר ּאו ֵבן Reuven Reuben r’-u-VAYN ִר ְב ָקה Rivka Rebecca riv-KAH ּרות Rut Ruth rut ַשׂ ְל ָמה Salma Salmon/Salmah sal-MAH ַשׂ ְלמוֹ ן Salmon Salmon sal-MON ָשׂ ָרה Sara Sarah sa-RAH ָשׂ ַרי Sarai Sarai sa-RAI ֶס ָלה Selah Selah SE-lah ְשָׂרָיה Seraya Seraiah s’-ra-YAH ְשׂ ּרוג Serug Serug s’-RUG

180 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ְס ּתור Setur Sethur s’-TUR שׁ ַ ֲ ע ָ ר ִ י ם Shaarayim Shaaraim sha-a-RA-yim שׁ ַ ַ ּ ב ת Shabbat Sabbath sha-BAT ׁ ּ ַש ָ ּבתוֹ ת Shabbatot Sabbaths sha-ba-TOT שׁ ָ ָ פ ן Shafan Shaphan sha-FAN ָשָׁפט Shafat Shaphat sha-FAT ָשֵׁלם Shalem Salem sha-LAYM ַשּׁלּום Shalum Shallum sha-LUM ַשְׁמַּגר Shamgar Shamgar sham-GAR שׁ ַ ּ מ ּ ו ַ ע Shamua Shammua sha-MU-a שׁ ָ א ּו ל Shaul Saul sha-UL שׁ ְ ַ א ְ ל ִ ּ ת י ֵא ל Shealtiel Shealtiel sh’-al-tee-AYL שׁ ְ ָ א ר ָי שׁ ּו ב Shear Yashuv Shear-Jashub sh’-AR ya-SHUV שׁ ְ ַ כ ְ נ ָ י ה Shechanya Shecaniah sh’-khan-YAH שׁ ְ ֶ כ ם Shechem Shechem sh’-KHEM שׁ ֵ ָ ל ה Sheila Shelah shay-LAH שׁ ֶ ַ ל ח Shelach Shelah SHE-lakh שׁ ְ ֻ ל ִ מ י ֵא ל Shelumiel Shelumiel sh’-lu-mee-AYL שׁ ֵ ם Shem Shem Shaym ְשַׁמְעָיה Shemaya Shemaiah sh’-ma-YAH שׁ ֵ שׁ ְ ַ ּ ב ַ ּ צ ר Sheshbatzar Sheshbazzar shaysh-ba-TZAR שׁ ֵ ת Shet Seth Shayt שׁ ְ ָ ב ט Shevat Shebat sh’-VAT שׁ ִ לֹ ה Shilo Shiloh shi-LOH שׁ ִ ְ מ ִ ע י Shim’i Shimei shim-EE ׁ ִש ְמעוֹ ן Shimon Simeon shim-ON שׁ ִ ְ מ שׁ ֹ ו ן Shimshon Samson shim-SHON שׁ ְ לֹמֹה Shlomo Solomon sh’-lo-MOH שׁ ְ מ ּו ֵ א ל Shmuel Samuel sh’-mu-AYL שׁ ֹ ו ָפ ר Shofar Horn sho-FAR שּׁ ָֹופרֹות Shofarot Horns sho-fa-ROT שׁ ְֹמרוֹן Shomron Samaria sho-m’-RON

181 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִס ָיון Sivan Sivan see-VAN ָת ָמר Tamar Tamar ta-MAR ָּת ַנ ְ”ך Tanakh Hebrew Bible ta-NAKH ַּת ּפ ּו ַח Tapuach Tappuah ta-PU-akh ָ ּתבוֹ ר Tavor Tabor ta-VOR ְ ּתקוֹ ָעה Tekoa Tekoa t’-KO-a ֶּתַרח Terach Terah TE-rakh ְט ֶבְרָיה Teveria Tiberias t’-ver-YAH ֵט ֵבת Tevet Tebeth tay-VAYT ִּתְר ָצה Tirtza Tirzah tir-TZAH ּתוֹ ָלע Tola Tola to-LA ָצדוֹ ק Tzadok Zadok tza-DOK ְצ ַפ ְנָיה Tzefanya Zephaniah tz’-fan-YAH ְצ ָל ְפ ָחד Tzelofchad Zelophehad tz’-la-f’-KHAD ְצ ּרוָיה Tzeruya Zeruiah tz’-ru-YAH ְצ ַפת Tzfat Safed tz’-FAT ִצ ְד ִקָּי ּהו Tzidkiyahu Zedekiah tzid-ki-YA-hu ִצ ְק ַלג Tziklag Ziklag tzi-k’-LAG ִצ ּיוֹ ן Tzion Zion tzi-YON ִצ ּפָֹרה Tzipora Zipporah tzi-po-RAH ָצְר ָעה Tzora Zorah tzor-AH ּצוִר ֵיאל Zuriel tzu-ree-AYL ֻא ָכל Ukal Ucal u-KAL ּאוִרי Uri Uri u-REE ּאוִרָּיה Uriya Uriah u-ri-YAH ּעוץ Utz Uz Utz ֻעִ ּזָּי ּהו Uzziyahu Uzziah u-zi-YA-hu ַי ֲעקֹב Yaakov Jacob ya-a-KOV ַי ֲחִז ֵיאל Yachaziel Jahaziel ya-kha-zee-AYL ָי ֵעל Yael Jael ya-AYL ָיפוֹ Yaffo Joppa/Jaffa ya-FO ָי ִאיר Yair Jair ya-EER

182 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ָי ֶקה Yakeh Jakeh ya-KEH ַּיְר ֵ ּדן Yarden Jordan yar-DAYN ַיְר ּמות Yarmut Jarmuth yar-MUT ְי ֶחְז ֵקאל Yechezkel Ezekiel y’-khez-KAYL ְי ִח ֵיאל Yechiel Jehiel y’-khee-AYL ְי ָכ ְנָיה Yechonya Jeconiah y’-khon-YAH ְי ּדו ּתון Yedutun Jeduthun y’-du-TUN ְיהוֹ ָא ָחז Yehoachaz Jehoahaz y’-ho-a-KHAZ ְ י ה ֹ ו ָא שׁ Yehoash Jehoash y’-ho-ASH ְיהוֹ ָח ָנן Yehochanan Jehohanan y’-ho-kha-NAN ְיהוֹ ָנ ָתן Yehonatan Jonathan y’-ho-na-TAN ְיהוֹ ָרם Yehoram Jehoram y’-ho-RAM ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ָ ָ פ ט Yehoshafat Jehoshaphat y’-ho-sha-FAT ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ַ ְ ב ַ ע ת Yehoshavat Jehoshabeath y’-ho-shav-AT ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ֶ ַ ב ע Yehosheva Jehosheba y-ho-SHE-va ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ֻ ַ ע Yehoshua Joshua y’-ho-SHU-a ְיהוֹ ָצ ָדק Yehotzadak Jehozadak y’-ho-tza-DAK ְי ָהוֹי ִכין Yehoyachin Jehoiachin y’-ho-ya-KHEEN ְיהוֹ ָי ָדע Yehoyada Jehoiada y’-ho-ya-DA ְי ָהוֹי ִקים Yehoyakim Jehoiakim y’-ho-ya-KEEM ֵי ּהוא Yehu Jehu yay-HU ְי ּהו ָדה Yehuda Judah y’-hu-DAH ְי ּהו ִדי Yehudi Jew y’-hu-DEE ְּי ּהו ִדים Yehudim Jews y’-hu-DEEM ֶיֶרד Yered Jared YE-red ְיִריחוֹ Yericho Jericho y’-ree-KHO ָיָר ְב ָעם Yerovam Jeroboam ya-rov-AM ְיֻר ַּב ַעל Yerubaal Jerubbaal y’-ru-BA-al ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלִים Yerushalayim Jerusalem y’-ru-sha-LA-yim ְ י שׁ ַ ְ ע ָ י ה ּו Yeshayahu Isaiah y’-sha-YA-hu ֵ י שׁ ּו ַ ע Yeshua Jeshua yay-SHU-a ִי ְפ ָּתח Yiftach Jephthah yif-TAKH

183 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִי ְג ָאל Yigal Igal yig-AL ִיְר ְמָי ּהו Yirmiyahu Jeremiah yir-m’-YA-hu ִ י שׁ ָ י Yishai Jesse yi-SHAI ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Yisrael Israel yis-ra-AYL ִי ָּ ׂש ָשכר Yissachar Issachar yi-sa-KHAR ִי ְצ ָחק Yitzchak Issac yitz-KHAK ִיְזְר ֶעאל Yizrael Jezreel yiz-r’-EL י ֹ ו ָא שׁ Yoash Joash yo-ASH יוֹ ָאב Yoav Joab yo-AV יוֹ ָח ָנן Yochanan Johanan yo-kha-NAN יוֹ ֶכ ֶבד Yocheved Jochebed yo-KHE-ved יוֹ ֵאל Yoel Joel yo-AYL יוֹ ָנה Yona Jonah yo-NAH יוֹ ָנ ָדב Yonadav Jonadab yo-na-DAV יוֹ ָנ ָתן Yonatan Jonathan yo-na-TAN יוֹ ָרם Yoram Joram yo-RAM יוֹ ֵסף Yosef Joseph yo-SAYF יֹאשׁ ִ ָּי ּהו Yoshiyahu Josiah yo-shi-YA-hu יוֹ ָתם Yotam Jotham yo-TAM יוֹ ָצ ָדק Yotzadak Jozadak yo-tza-DAK יוֹ ָז ָבד Yozavad Jozabad yo-za-VAD ָזנוֹ ַח Zanoach Zanoah za-NO-akh ְז ַכְרָיה Zecharya Zechariah z’-khar-YAH ֶזַרח Zerach Zerah ZE-rakh ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל Zerubavel Zerubbabel z’-ru-ba-VEL ְז ּבו ֻלן Zevulun Zebulun z’-vu-LUN ִז ְל ָּפה Zilpa Zilpah zil-PAH ִז ְמִרי Zimri Zimri zim-REE

184 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Jewish Holidays ֲח ּנו ָּכה Chanukah Hanukkah kha-nu-KAH ֶּפ ַסח Pesach PE-sakh ּפ ּוִרים Purim pu-REEM רֹאשׁ ַהׁ ָּש ָנה Rosh Hashana Jewish New Year rosh ha-sha-NAH שׁ ָ ּבועוֹת Feast of Weeks sha-vu-OT ׁ ְש ִמ ִיני ֲע ֶצֶרת Shemini Atzeret Eight Day of sh’-mee-NEE a-TZE-ret Assembly ֻס ּכוֹ ת Sukkot Feast of Tabernacles su-KOT יוֹם ִּכ ּיפור Yom Kippur Day of Atonement yom kee-PUR

Biblical Measurements ַא ָּמה Amah Cubit a-MAH ַאמוֹ ת Amot Cubits a-MOT ַּבת Bat Bath bat ַּב ִּתים Batim Baths ba-TEEM ֶּב ַקע Beka half-shekel BE-ka ֳח ָמִרים Chomarim Homers kho-ma-REEM ֶחֹמר Chomer Homer KHO-mer ֵא ָיפה Efah Ephah ay-FAH ֵּגָרה Geira Gerah gay-RAH ּג ֶֹמד Gomed Gomed GO- med ִהין Hin Hin heen ַּקב Kav kab kav ְק ִשׂ ָיטה Kesita kesitah k’-see-TAH ִּכ ָּכר Kikar talent ki-KAR ִּכ ָּכִרים Kikarim talents ki-ka-RIM ּכֹר Kor kor kor ֶל ֶת ְך Letek lethech LE-tek לֹג Log log ָּמ ֶנה Maneh Mina ma-NEH ָמ ִנים Manim Minas ma-NEEM ֶעֹמר Omer Omer O-mer

185 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִּפים Pim Pim peem ֵס ָאה Se’ah Seah say-AH ְס ִאים Se’eem Seahs s’-EEM שׁ ְ ָ ק ִ ל י ם Shekalim Shekels sh’-ka-LEEM שׁ ֶ ֶ ק ל Shekel Shekel SHE-kel ֶט ַפח Tefach Handbreadth TE-fakh ֶזֶרת Zeret Span ZE-ret

186 Photo Credits

Book Verse Photo Credit Genesis 1:01 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 2:05 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 7:19 Nathan Alpert, GPO Genesis 8:09 Ryan Rodrick Beiler, Shutterstock. com Genesis 13:10 Bill Rice, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 14:18 Stefano Rocca, Shutterstock.com Genesis 18:01 Eitan F., Wikimedia Commons Genesis 21:31 Dr. Avishai Teicher, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 22:18 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 23:19 Avi Ohayon, GPO Genesis 24:10 Elbud, Shutterstock.com Genesis 25:09 David Rabkin, Shutterstock.com Genesis 28:17 Andrew Shiva, Wikipedia Genesis 28:19 Dvirraz, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 33:19 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 35:19 Wikimedia Commons Genesis 37:02 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 43:11 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 46:04 Luis Villa del Campo, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 47:30 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 49:13 Mark Neyman, GPO

187 Chart of the Hebrew Months and their Holidays

Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Rosh Chodesh (Head of The first of every The Jewish Calendar is a lunar the Month) month calendar, and each month begins when the moon re-appears in the sky. The beginning of each new month is called Rosh Chodesh, which literally means ‘the head of the month.’ Rosh Chodesh is celebrated as a mini- holiday on the first day of every Jewish month, and special prayers are added into the daily service. When a month is 30 days long, the 30th day is celebrated as Rosh Chodesh in addition to the first day of the following month.

Nissan March-April Pesach (Passover) Begins on the Pesach is a seven day holiday 15th of Nissan commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Outside of Israel, an eighth day is observed.

Yom Hashoa (Holocaust 27th of Nissan Yom Hashoa commemorates the 6 Memorial Day) million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Iyar April-May Yom Hazikaron (Memorial 4th of Iyar Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s memorial Day) day, a day to remember Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Yom Haatzmaut (Israel’s 5th of Iyar Yom Haatzmaut celebrates Israel’s Independence Day) declaration of independence in 1948.

Lag Ba’Omer (33rd day of 18th of Iyar Lag Ba’Omer is a minor holiday the Omer) celebrated on the 33rd day of the

Yom Yerushalayim 28th of Iyar Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, (Jerusalem Day) celebrates the re-unification of the city of Jerusalem following the 1967 Six-Day War.

Sivan May-June Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) 6th of Sivan Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Outside of Israel it is observed for two days, the 6th and 7th of Sivan.

188 Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Tammuz June-July Fast of the Seventeenth 17th of Tammuz The Fast of the Seventeenth of of Tammuz Tammuz commemorates the breeching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Temple. It begins a three week mourning period over the destruction of the Temple, culminating with the fast of Tisha B’Av.

Av July-August Tisha B’Av (Fast of the 9th 9th of Av Tisha B’Av is a fast day commemorating of Av) the destruction of the . It is the culmination of the three week mourning period over the destruction of the Temple which starts on the 17th of Tammuz.

Elul August- September

Tishrei September- Rosh Hashana (Jewish 1st and 2nd of Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. October New Year) Tishrei

Tzom Gedalya (Fast of 3rd of Tishrei The Fast of Gedaliah commemorates Gedaliah) the death of Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the governor of Judah following the destruction of the First Temple. His death marked the end of Jewish rule in the Land of Israel for many generations and led to the exile of the few remaining Jews who had not been taken to Babylonia.

Yom Kippur (Day of 10th of Tishrei Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, Atonement) the holiest day of the year.

Sukkot (Feast of Begins on the Sukkot is a seven-day holiday Tabernacles) 15th of Tishrei celebrating God’s protection of the Jews in the wilderness

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat 22nd of Tishrei Shemini Atzeret is a holiday that Torah (Eighth Day of immediately follows Sukkot and Assembly) celebrates the unique relationship between God and the Children of Israel. celebrates the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the same day. Outside of Israel, they are celebrated on two consecutive days.

189 Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Cheshvan October- Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors November Kislev November- Chanukah (Hanukkah) Begins on the Chanukah is an eight day festival December 25th of Kislev which celebrates the defeat of the The following is a map of modern-day Israel and the surrounding countries Syrian-Greeks, the re-dedication of the

Euphrates River Temple in Jerusalem, and the miracles that God preformed to facilitate these events.

Tevet December- The end of Chanukah Chanukah ends Capital City I   January (Hanukkah) on the 2nd or City LEBANON 3rd of Tevet  N River SYRIA depending on Border the year, since IRAQ Kislev contains Mediterranean either 29 or 30 Sea days Jerusalem Fast of the 10th of Tevet 10th of Tevet The Fast of the 10th of Tevet ISRAEL commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the First Temple. JORDAN Shevat January-February Tu B’Shvat (15th of 15th of Shevat Tu B’Shvat marks the beginning of the SINAI Shevat) new year for trees. It is when the first trees in the Land of Israel begin to blossom again after the winter season. SAUDI ARABIA Adar* February-March Fast of Esther 13th of Adar The Fast of Esther commemorates the EGYPT fast observed by the Jewish people in Persia at the time of Mordechai and Esther.

Purim 14th/15th of Purim celebrates God’s salvation of Adar the Jews from the evil Haman’s plot to destroy them. In most places, this holiday is celebrated on the 14th of Adar. In Jerusalem, it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar.

* During a leap year, an extra month of Adar is added so that the Jewish lunar calendar remains aligned with the solar seasons. A leap year occurs 7 times in every 19 year cycle. When this happens, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar.

190 Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors

The following is a map of modern-day Israel and the surrounding countries

Euphrates River

I   Capital City City LEBANON  N River SYRIA Border IRAQ Mediterranean Sea Jerusalem

ISRAEL

JORDAN

SINAI

SAUDI ARABIA

EGYPT

191 List of Prime Ministers of the State of Israel

Below is a list of the Prime Ministers of the State of Israel since the declaration of the State in 1948 until the present.

Number Name Years Term

1 David Ben-Gurion (1886 – 1973) May 1948- January 1954

2 Moshe Sharett (1894-1965) January 1954-November 1955

3 David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) November 1955-June 1963

4 Levi Eshkol (1895-1969) June 1963-February 1969

5 Golda Meir (1898-1978) March 1969-June 1974

6 Yitzchak Rabin (1922–1995) June 1974-June 1977

7 Menachem Begin (1913–1992) June 1977-October 1983

8 Yitzchak Shamir (1915–2012) October 1983-September 1984

9 Shimon Peres (1923–2016) September 1984-October 1986

10 Yitzchak Shamir (1915–2012) October 1986-July 1992

11 Yitzchak Rabin (1922–1995) July 1992-November 1995

12 Shimon Peres (1923–2016) November 1995-June 1996

13 Benjamin Netanyahu (Born 1949) June 1996-July 1999

14 Ehud Barak (Born 1942) July 1999-March 2001

15 Ariel Sharon (1928–2014) March 2001-April 2006

16 Ehud Olmert (Born 1945) April 2006-March 2009

17 Benjamin Netanyahu (Born 1949) March 2009-Present

192 Prayer for the State of Israel

אָ בִֽינוּ שֶׁ בַּשָּׁ מַֽיִם Our Heavenly Father a-VEE-nu she-ba-sha-MA-yim

צוּר יִשְׂ רָאֵ ל וְגוֹאֲ לוֹ Israel’s Rock and Redeemer tzur yis-ra-AYL v’-go-a-LO

בָּרֵךְ אֶת מְדִ ינַת יִשְׂ רָאֵ ל Bless the State of Israel ba-RAYKH et mi-dee-NAT yis-ra-AYL

רֵאשִׁ ית תצְמִיחַ גְּאֻלָּתֵֽ נוּ the first flowering of our ray-SHEET tz’-mee-KHAT redemption g’-u-la-TAY-nu

הָ גֵן עָ לֶֽיהָ בְּאֶבְרַ ת Shield it under the wings of ha-GAYN a-LE-ha b’-ev-RAT סְחַ דּ ֶֽ ךָ Your loving kindness khas-DE-kha

וּפְרוֹס עָ לֶֽיהָ סֻכַּ ת -’And spread over it the uf-ROS a-LE-ha su-KAT sh שְׁ לוֹמֶֽךָ Tabernacle of Your peace lo-ME-kha

וּשְׁ לַח אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּ ךָ -Send Your light and truth ush-LAKH o-r’-KHA va-a-mi t’-KHA

לְרָאשֶֽׁיהָ, שָׂ רֶֽיהָ -to its leaders, ministers and l’-ro-SHE-ha, sa-RE-ha v’-yo וְיוֹעֲ צֶֽיהָ officials a-TZE-ha

וְתַקְּ נֵם בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָ ה And direct them with good v’-ta-k’-NAYM b’-ay-TZAH מִ לְּ נ פָ ֶֽ י ךָ counsel before You to-VAH m’-li-fa-NE-kha

חַ זֵּק אֶ ת יְדֵי מְ גִנֵּי אֶרֶ ץ -Strengthen the hands of the kha-ZAYK et y’-DAY m’-gi קָ דְ שֵֽׁ נ וּ defenders of our Holy Land NAY E-retz kod-SHAY-nu

וְהַ נְחִילֵם אֱ לֹהֵֽ ינוּ -Grant them deliverance, our v’-han-khee-LAYM e-lo-HAY יְשׁוּעָ ה God nu y’-shu-AH

וַעֲ טֶֽרֶ ת נִצָּחוֹן תְּעַטְּרֵ ם And crown them with the va-a-TE-ret ni-tza-KHON crown of victory t’-a-t’-RAYM

וְנָתַתָּשָׁ לוֹם בָּאָֽרֶ ץ -Grant peace in the land v’-na-ta-TA sha-LOM ba-A retz

וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם לְיוֹשְׁ בֶֽיהָ -’and everlasting joy to its v’-sim-KHAT o-LAM l’-yo-sh inhabitants VE-ha

193 וְאֶת אַ חֵֽינוּ כָּל בֵּ ית As for our brothers, the whole v’-ET a-KHAY-nu kol bayt ִ י שְׂ רָ אֵ ל yis-ra-AYL

פְּקָ ד נָא בְּכָל אַרְ צוֹת -Remember them in all the p’-KOD na b’-KHOL ar פְּזוּרֵיהֶ ם lands of their dispersion TZOT p’-zu-ray-HEM

וְתוֹלִיכֵם מְהֵרָ ה -And swiftly lead them upright v’-to-lee-KHAYM m’-hay קוֹמְמִ יּוּת RAH ko-m’-mi-YUT

לְצִיּוֹן עִ ירֶֽךָ to Zion Your city l’-TZI-yon ee-RE-kha

וְלִירוּשָׁ לַֽיִם מִשְׁ כַּן שְׁ מֶֽךָ -And Yerushalayim Your v’-lee-ru-sha-LA-yim mish dwelling place KAN sh’-ME-kha

כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁ ה -As is written in theTorah of ka-ka-TUV b’-to-RAT mo עַבְ דֶּֽךָ )דברים ל:ד-ה(: :Moses Your servant (Deut. SHEH av-DE-kha 30:4-5):

“אִ ם יִהְ יֶה נִדַּחֲךָ בִּקְצֵ ה Even if you are scattered to “im yih-YEH ni-da-kha-KHA“ שָּׁהַ מ ָֽ ִ י ם the furthermost lands under bik-TZAY ha-sha-MA-yim the heavens

םמִשָּׁ יְקַבֶּצְךָ יְיָאֱ לֹהֶֽיךָ From there the Lord your mi-SHAM yi-ka-betz-KHA God will gather you a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha

םוּמִשָּׁ יִקָּ חֶֽךָ and from there He will and u-mi-SHAM yi-ka-KHE-kha take you back

וֶהֱבִיאֲךָ יְיָאֱ לֹהֶֽיךָ אֶ ל The Lord your God will bring ve-he-vee-a-KHA a-do-NAI הָ אָֽ רֶ ץ you to the land e-lo-HE-kha el ha-A-retz

ראֲשֶׁ יָרְשׁוּ אֲ בֹתֶֽיךָ -That your ancestors possessed a-SHER ya-r’-SHU a-vo-TE khe

ִ ו י רִ שְׁ תָּ הּ and you will possess it vee-rish-TAH

וְ הֵ י טִ בְ ךָ וְ הִ רְ בְּ ךָ And He will make you more v’-hay-tiv-KHA v’-hir-b’-KHA מֵאֲ בֹתֶֽיךָ ” ”prosperous and numerous may-a-vo-TE-kha than your ancestors”

וְיַחֵד לְבָ בֵֽנוּ Unite our hearts v’-ya-KHAYD l’-va-VAY-nu

לְאַהֲבָה וּלְ יִרְאָה אֶ ת -’to love and revere Your name l’-a-ha-VAH ul-yir-AH et sh שְׁ מ ֶֽ ךָ ME-kha

וְלִשְׁ מֹר אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵ י And observe all the words of v’-lish-MOR et kol div-RAY תוֹרָתֶֽךָ Your Torah to-ra-TE-kha

194 וּשְׁ חלַ לָֽנוּ מְהֵרָ ה -And swiftly send us ush-LAKH LA-nu m’-hay RAH

בֶּן דָּ וִד מְשִֽׁיחַצִדְקֶֽךָ Your righteous anointed one ben da-VID m’-SHEE-akh of the house of David tzid-KE-kha

לִפְדוֹת מְחַכֵּי קֵ ץ To redeem those who long for lif-DOT m’-kha-KAY kaytz יְשׁוּעָ תֶֽךָ Your salvation y’-shu-a-TE-kha

הוֹפַע בַּהֲדַר גְּאוֹן עֻ זֶּֽךָ Appear in Your glorious ho-FA ba-ha-DAR g’-ON majesty u-ZE-kha

עַל כָּל יוֹשְׁ בֵי תֵבֵ ל over all the dwellers on earth al kol yo-sh’-VAY TAY-vayl אַ רְ צֶֽ ךָ ar-TZE-kha

וְיֹאמַר כֹּל אֲשֶׁ ר נְשָׁמָ ה -’And let all who breathe v’-yo-MAR kol a-SHER n בְ אַ פּ וֹ declare: sha-MAH v’-a-PO

יְיָ יאֱלֹהֵ יִשְׂ לרָאֵ מֶֽלֶךְ -The Lord God of Israel is King a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY yis-ra AYL ME-lekh

וּמַלְכוּתוֹ בַּכֹּל מָשָֽׁלָ ה -And His kingship has u-mal-khu-TO ba-KOL ma dominion over all sha-LAH,

מֵאָ ן סֶֽ לָ ה Amen, Selah a-MAYN SE-lah

195 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’s Soldiers

ִמי ׁ ֶש ֵּבַר ְך ֲא ֵבוֹת ּינו -He Who blessed our mee she-bay-RAKH a-vo-TAY forefathers nu ַא ְבָר ָהם ִי ְצ ָחק ְוַי ֲעקֹב -Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov av-ra-HAM yitz-KHAK v’-ya a-KOV ּהוא ְי ָבֵר ְך ֶאת ַחָּי ֵלי -may He bless the fighters of hu y’-va-RAYKH et kha-ya ְצ ָבא ַה ֲה ַג ָנּה ְלִי ְשָׂר ֵאל the Israel Defense Forces LAY tz’-VA ha-ha-ga-NAH l’-yis-ra-AYL ְו ַא ְנׁ ֵשי ּכֹחוֹת ַה ִּב ָּטחוֹן -and the security personnel v’-an-SHAY ko-KHOT ha-bi ta-KHON ָה ְעוֹמ ִדים ַעל ִמׁ ְש ַמר who stand guard over our land ha-o-m’-DEEM al mish-MAR ַאְר ֵצ ּנו ar-TZAY-nu ְו ָעֵרי ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו and the cities of our God v’-a-RAY e-lo-HAY-nu ִמ ְּג ּבול ַה ְּל ָבנוֹן ְו ַעד -’from the border of the mi-g’-VUL ha-l’-va-NON v ִמ ְד ַּבר ִמ ְצַרִים Lebanon to the desert of AD mid-BAR mitz-RA-yim Egypt ּו ִמן ַהָּים ַה ָּגדוֹל ַעד and from the Great Sea unto u-MIN ha-YAM ha-ga-DOL ְלבוֹא ָה ֲעָר ָבה the approach of the Aravah ad l’-VO ha-a-ra-VAH ַּבַּי ָּבׁ ָשה ָּב ֲאִויר ּו ַבָּים on the land, in the air, and on ba-ya-ba-SHAH ba-a-VEER the sea u-va-YAM ִי ֵּתן ְיָי ֶאת ְאוֹי ֵב ּינו May the Almighty cause the yi-TAYN a-do-NAI et ַה ָּק ִמים ָע ֵל ּינו enemies who rise up against us o-y’-VAY-nu ha-ka-MEEM a-LAY-nu ִנ ָּג ִפים ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם to be struck down before them ni-ga-FEEM lif-nay-HEM ַה ָּקדוֹשׁ ָּב ּרו ְך ּהוא May the Holy One, Blessed ha-ka-DOSH ba-RUKH hu is He ִיׁ ְשמֹר ְוַי ִּציל ֶאת ַחָי ֵל ּינו preserve and rescue our yish-MOR v’-ya-TZEEL et fighters kha-ya-LAY-nu ִמכׂל ָצָרה ְו ּצו ָקה from every trouble and mi-KOL tza-RAH v’-tzu-KAH distress

196 ּו ִמכׂל ֶנ ַגע ּו ַמ ֲח ָלה -and from every plague and u-mi-KOL NE-ga u-ma-kha illness LAH ְוִיׁ ְש ַלח ְּבָר ָכה ְו ַה ְצ ָל ָחה and may He send blessing and v’-yish-LAKH b’-ra-KHAH success v’-hatz-la-KHAH ְּב ָכל ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה ְי ֵד ֶיהם -in their every endeavor b’-KHOL ma-a-SAY y’-day HEM ַי ְד ֵּבר ְשׂוֹנ ֵא ּינו ַּת ְח ֵּת ֶיהם -May He lead our enemies yad-BAYR so-n’-AY-nu takh under our soldiers’ sway tay-HEM ִו ַיע ְּטֵרם ְּב ֶכ ֶתר ְישׁ ּו ָעה and glorify our forces with the vee-a-t’-RAYM b’-KHE-ter crown of salvation y’-shu-AH ּו ְב ֲע ֶטֶרת ִנ ָּצחוֹן and the mantle of victory uv-a-TE-ret ni-tza-KHON ִו ֻיקַּים ָּב ֶהם ַה ָּכ ּתוב -And may there be fulfilled for vee-ku-YAM ba-HEM ha-ka )דברים כ,ד(: :them the verse (Deuteronomy TUV 20:4): ִּ“כי ְיָי ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ַה ֵהֹל ְך -For it is the Lord your God, “kee a-do-NAI e-lo-hay“ ִע ָּמ ֶכם -Who goes with you KHEM ha-ho-LAYKH i-ma KHEM ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ָל ֶכם ִעם to battle your enemies for you l’-hi-la-KHAYM la-KHEM im ְאֹי ֵב ֶיכם o-y’-vay-KHEM ְל ׁ ִהוֹש ַיע ֶא ְת ֶכם” ”to save you” l’-ho-SHEE-a et-KHEM ְו ַנֹאמר: ָ“א ֵמן” ”Now let us say: Amen v’-no-MAR “a-MAYN

197 Hatikvah

ּכֹל עוֹד ַּב ֵּל ָבב ְּפ ִנ ָימה As long as in the heart, within kol od ba-lay-VAV p’-NEE-mah ֶנ ֶפשׁ ְי ּהו ִדי ִהוֹמָּיה A Jewish soul still yearns NE-fesh y’-hu-DEE ho-mi-YAH ּו ְל ַפ ֲא ֵתי ִמְזָרח, ָק ִד ָימה -And onward, towards the ends ul-fa-a-TAY miz-RAKH ka of the east DEE-mah ַעִין ְל ִצ ּיוֹן ִצוֹפָּיה An eye still gazes toward Zion A-yin l’-tzi-YON tzo-fi-YAH עוֹד לֹא ָא ְב ָדה ִּת ְקָו ֵת ּנו Our hope is not yet lost od lo av-DAH tik-va-TAY-nu ַה ִּת ְקָוה ַּבת שׁ ְ נוֹת -The hope two thousand years ha-tik-VAH bat sh’-NOT al ַא ְל ַּפִים old PA-yim ִל ְהיוֹת ַעם ָח ְפשׁ ִ י -To be a free nation in our land lih-YOT am khof-SHEE b’-ar ְּב ַאְר ֵצ ּנו TZAY-nu ֶאֶרץ ִצ ּיוֹן ִו ּירושׁ ָ ַלִים -The Land ofZion and E-retz tzi-YON vee-ru-sha-LA Yerushalayim yim

198 For more inspiring commentary, interactive maps, educational videos, vivid photographs and more, please visit our website www.TheIsraelBible.com

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