Summary of The Haftorah:
Haftorah Kedoshim
Amos 9:7 - 15
This week's Haftorah is from Amos chapter 9, and is the Haftorah for Acharei
Mos. The basic theme of the two Parshios is the responsibility of the Jews to
maintain a life style of Kedusha - holiness that sets them apart from all the
other nations and grants them the right to live in Eretz Yisroel. Amos the
Navi began by chastising the Bnai Yisroel for being no better than the
Pilishtim or the Arameans. They too were saved from oppression and
enslavement but did not cherish the opportunity that G-d had granted to them.
Amos began his prophesies in 3115 - 646 b.c.e. when Yeravam ll extended the
boundaries of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and under whose reign the kingdom
of Israel flourished. Yeravam attempted to banish Amos from the kingdom
because of his prophecy that Yeravam's kingdom would not last. Amos
criticized the kingdom for persecuting the poor and immersing themselves in
materialism and luxury.
Amos told the Jews that primary destruction would be directed against the
leaders of the kingdom while the populace would be driven into exile. His
presentation painted the exile of Israel as an act of preservation and
kindness on G-d's part. Verse 9:11 is the verse that we add to the grace
after meals during Succos that prophesies the rebuilding of the Davidic
dynasty. The final words of Amos prophesy the coming of Mashiach and the
return to Eretz Yisroel.
