Summary of The Haftorah:
Parshas HaGadol
Malachi Chapter 3
This week's Haftorah is from Malachi, chapter 3. The Navi proclaims to the
nation that the ultimate redemption awaits. The time will come when the evil
and the arrogant will be destroyed and the righteous will prevail.
The relationship of the Haftorah to this week is because it is the Shabbos
before Pesach. Just as the nation was redeemed from Mitzrayim 3310 years ago,
so too will Eliyahu Hanavi herald the coming of Mashiach.
Pasuk 22 underscores the basis for all prophets and prophesies. The only
true Navi is the one who "remembers the Torah of Moshe, Hashem's servant". Any
Navi that contradicts Moshe's Torah is by definition a "false prophet". Many
false mashiach's have arisen throughout history. The only true Mashiach will
be the one heralded by Eliyahu himself (a Kohain, by the way)as he proclaims
the "coming of the great and awesome day of G-d".
This week is also known as Shabbos HaGadol - the great Shabbos.
Traditionally the Rav of the Shul delivers an afternoon drasha that is
intended to review the laws of Pesach as well as inspire the community to
ready themselves for the Yom Tov. The custom is to read the first part of the
Hagadah in preparation for fulfilling the Mitzvah of relating the story of the
Exodus.
There are a number of reasons why this Shabbos is called the "Great
Shabbos". Chronologically, the 15th of Nissan in the year 2448 occurred on
Thursday. Erev Pesach, the 14th of Nissan, when the Bnai Yisroel did the 1st
Korban Pesach, was Wednesday. That 1st Korban Pesach required that each
household take their sheep 4 days beforehand, on the 10th of Nissan, and tie
it to their bedposts. Being that the 1st Mitzvah given to the nation was the
Korban Pesach, that Shabbos was the moment when the nation performed the 1st
step of the 1st Mitzvah given to the nation! Four days before Wednesday is
Shabbos. Therefore, the Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos Hagadol - the
Great Shabbos - the Shabbos when the Bnai Yisroel began their first Mitzvah as
a nation.
