Parshat Pinchas
As we begin the three week period of semi-mourning that precedes Tisha B’Av, so we begin the series of three haftarot of condemnation (“t’lat d’pur’anuta”), starting with this week’s selection that is taken from the first perek of sefer Yirmiyahu. Interestingly, beyond the two pesukim that describe the approaching punishment (verse 15-16), we do not find words of condemnation or rebuke in this perek—something we might expect to find in the opening nevuah of the Three Weeks. Instead, the text focuses upon Hashem’s inauguration of Yirmiyahu into the world of prophecy—including the details of his mission to Israel.
In hoping to uncover the reason for the choice of this haftarah as an opening to the Three Weeks, it occurred to me that the tragic life of Yirmiyahu reflected the tragic story of the nation itself. Consider: Throughout his years, Yirmiyahu was dedicated to his people. He had no children nor a wife and served as prophet for some 40 years—longer than other prophets of whom we know. During his early years, he witnessed positive events—including the fall of the Assyrian empire (that improved the economic situation in Yehuda) and the reign of King Yoshiyahu, whose efforts to erase idolatry from the land improved Judea’s religious observance. However, despite these encouraging developments, Yirmiyahu realized that there was little hope for avoiding Hashem’s decree to destroy the Beit Hamikdash and exile His people. And all of this was a result of the long-standing corruption the Navi perceived—including the widespread dishonesty and vice that filled the nation.
Faithful to the mission God had set before him, Yirmiyahu criticized and condemned his beloved nation in the vain attempt of bringing them back to their Creator. He argued against false prophets who convinced the people that Hashem would never allow His glory to be diminished by allowing His “defeat” in the hands of the enemy or through destroying His “House,” the Holy Temple. But the Navi also encouraged Israel to change their ways with promises of reward and forgiveness and with guarantees that—even if they fail to repent—Hashem would never abandon His people. Indeed, Yirmyahu assures the nation that, eventually, a glorious future awaits them, and, a proof, he follows Hashem’s directive to redeem the estate of his cousin at the very time that the Babylonians were besieging Yerushalayim—displaying his confidence that the city would yet be rebuild and repopulated.
And yet, despite the Navi’s deep love and commitment for his people, Yirmiyahu was deeply resented and, more so, hated by much of the nation. His predictions of the approaching catastrophe, his frequent denunciations and his ongoing censure of the immoral behavior he witnessed, made him a most unwelcome messenger from Hashem. Most unwanted, was sharing God’s message that the nation best succumb to the Babylonian enemy and, with their surrender, save their lives and their city. Courageously, he repeated Hashem’s words to the king and his officers as well—for which he was beaten, labeled a traitor and thrown into prison (and a pit).
This sad story of the only prophet to have witnessed the churban has no happy ending. Even when his prophecies came to fruition the people called him “a liar,” when he told them not to escape to Egypt.
Yirmiyahu’s heartbreaking story is one not found in the weekly haftarah series and, perhaps, that is why its beginning was chosen to set the stage for the Three Week period. The prophet’s life story teaches us that God selects only those who have a deep love for Israel to correct and criticize them. His experiences teach us that carrying out Hashem’s word can be painful and difficult. And, most importantly, his words remind us that Hashem fervently desires our repentance and that—despite it all—there is always a glorious future for Am Yisrael.
Rabbi Neil Winkler is the rabbi emeritus of the Young Israel of Fort Lee, and now lives in Israel.
