Parshat Va’eira
The navi Yechezkel, whose words we read this week as our haftarah, lived in Babylonia during the years preceding and following Churban Bayit Rishon, the destruction of the First Temple, and had the unenviable task of breaking the horrific news of the Churban to the Jewish community in the Diaspora. Like his older contemporary the prophet Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel often speaks harshly to Israel and warns them of the impending doom that awaited them if they did not change their wicked ways. And, like Yirmiyahu as well, he also soothed and reassured the grieving community, sharing prophecies of comfort and of consolation to them.
After delivering harsh condemnations of Israel’s sins and after warning the community of the coming Babylonian invasion, the navi turns his attention to the misdeeds and corruption of Israel’s neighbors. Yechezkel spends seven prakim (25-32) condemning the surrounding nations who so cruelly tormented Israel over the years. The navi berates Amon and Moav, Edom and Pleshet (land of the Plishtim), Tzidon and Tzor (Phoenicia). But perhaps the harshest of all his prophecies is saved for the last neighbor, Mitzrayim, Egypt, prophecies that detail the grave punishments that would be meted out to them. And it is the first part of this condemnation that makes up our haftarah, a selection taken from the 28th and 29th chapters of Sefer Yechezkel, and a most fitting selection for our parsha in which seven of the plagues that Hashem brought upon Egypt are detailed.
Yechezkel’s nevuah criticizes the haughty Pharaoh and his people who failed to help Israel at the time of her need. He predicts the invasion of the Babylonian king, Nevuchadretzar, and his army that would lay waste to the entire land of Egypt. Not only would this be a military conquest but it would also lead to economic ruin for Egypt as the land itself would be depleted and remain desolate for a full 40 years.
Curiously, this prophecy of destruction—and our haftarah—is introduced by words of comfort directed to Israel, foreseeing a time when Israel would be gathered from the Diaspora, returned to her land and live there securely. One may rightfully wonder why Yechezkel interrupts the series of prophecies condemning Israel’s neighbors with a nevuah of comfort and encouragement for Israel. We can suggest that this was no “interruption” at all. Although Sefer Mishlei reminds us not to rejoice at the defeat of our enemies (24:17), it was an essential part of the consolation process for Israel to understand that Hashem does not single her out from all other nations for punishment. God, the righteous judge, castigates all evildoers and sees that they receive their just rewards as well. Hashem may have loftier standards for His chosen people, but He enforces His justice upon all.
It is a lesson taught to us by the prophets.
And a lesson whose truth we have learned throughout our long history.
By Rabbi Neil N. Winkler
Rabbi Neil Winkler is the rabbi emeritus of the Young Israel of Fort Lee and now lives in Israel.
