Parashat Aharei Mot
Shabbat Ha-Gadol
Herald of Redemption
“Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of the Lord. He shall reconcile parents with children and children with their parents…” (Malachi 3:23).
The liturgy of Passover in its original form seems focused on past history-the liberation of the Israelite slaves from Egypt in the time of Moses. Along the way, however, it acquired the theme of ultimate future redemption-the Messianic redemption at the end of days. This thematic development can be seen particularly in the haftarot that the Rabbis assigned to be read for this festival. Shabbat Hol Ha-Mo’ed features the haftarah from Ezekiel Chapter 37, with the vision of the dry bones taking on flesh and breath and coming back to life. The haftarah for the eighth day of Passover centers on Read More >