10/30/2020
HAFTARAH FOR SHABBAT L**H L**HA
Isaiah Chapter 40:27 - 41:16:
"Why do you say, O Yaakov, Why declare, O Israel, “My way is hid from HaShem, My cause is ignored by my G-d”?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? HaShem is G-d from of old, Creator of the earth from end to end, He never grows faint or weary, His wisdom cannot be fathomed.
He gives strength to the weary, Fresh vigor to the spent.
Youths may grow faint and weary, And young men stumble and fall;
But they who trust in HaShem shall renew their strength As eagles grow new plumes: They shall run and not grow weary, They shall march and not grow faint.
Stand silent before Me, coastlands, And let nations renew their strength. Let them approach to state their case; Let us come forward together for argument.
Who has roused a victor from the East, Summoned him to His service? Has delivered up nations to him, And trodden sovereigns down? Has rendered their swords like dust, Their bows like wind-blown straw?
He pursues them, he goes on unscathed; No shackle is placed on his feet.
Who has wrought and achieved this? He who announced the generations from the start— I, HaShem, who was first And will be with the last as well.
The coastlands look on in fear, The ends of earth tremble. They draw near and come;
Each one helps the other, Saying to his fellow, “Take courage!”
The woodworker encourages the smith; He who flattens with the hammer [Encourages] him who pounds the anvil. He says of the riveting, “It is good!” And he fixes it with nails, That it may not topple.
But you, Israel, My servant, Yaakov, whom I have chosen, Seed of Avraham My friend—
You whom I drew from the ends of the earth And called from its far corners, To whom I said: You are My servant; I chose you, I have not rejected you—
Fear not, for I am with you, Be not frightened, for I am your G-d; I strengthen you and I help you, I uphold you with My victorious right hand.
Shamed and chagrined shall be All who contend with you; They who strive with you Shall become as naught and shall perish.
You may seek, but shall not find Those who struggle with you; Less than nothing shall be The men who battle against you.
For I HaShem am your G-d, Who grasped your right hand, Who say to you: Have no fear; I will be your help.
Fear not, O worm Yaakov, O men of Israel: I will help you —declares HaShem— I your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
I will make of you a threshing board, A new thresher, with many spikes; You shall thresh mountains to dust, And make hills like chaff.
You shall winnow them And the wind shall carry them off; The whirlwind shall scatter them. But you shall rejoice in HaShem, And glory in the Holy One of Israel."
