Summary of The Haftorah:
Haftorah Beshalach
Shoftim 4:4
This weeks Haftorah is found in Shoftim (Judges) chapter 4. It relates the
story of Devorah the Prophet, who along with her husband Barak, ruled the
nation for 40 years. The year was 2654 - 1107 b.c.e and the nation was subject
to the rule of Yavin of Canaan and his evil General Sisra. In a decisive
battle at the foot of Mt. Tabor by the brook of Kishon, Hashem delivered the
armies of Yavin into the hands of Barak and the Bnai Yisroel (Children of Israel). Sisra, the
general, fled the battlefield on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Yael
(a non-jew). He asked for water but she gave him milk, and he then fell into a
deep sleep. Yael took a tent stake and drove it through the skull of the evil
Sisra.
Reminiscent of the destruction of Mitzrayim by the Yam Suff (Sea of Reeds) and the Shira
which was sung by the Bnai Yisroel, Devorah sang a magnificent song filled
with the praises and glory of Hashem. This Haftorah is the longest Haftorah in
the course of the year.
