![]() ![]() The Mishna makes ample reference to such a custom (see esp. ![]() ![]() It is not known exactly when the practice of reading the haftorah was instituted, but it is definitely an ancient custom, from well before the period of the Mishna (put in final form in the early third century CE, based on the teachings of several generations of rabbis, spanning from the late Second Temple era). Since the Jews were “exempt” from reading the Torah in the synagogue due to the danger, they read from the Prophets instead (Avudraham, Seder Shacharis Shel Shabbat Levush 284:1).Īn alternate suggestion is that it relates to “dismiss” because the congregation was then “dismissed” from the earlier part of the service – the Torah reading – now continuing with the Prophets and then the Mussaf prayer (Avudraham, Hirsch Siddur).Ī third suggestion is that it relates to “open” – likewise because it marked the start of a new part of the services – possibly to distinguish between the more significant Torah and the words of the Prophets (Aruch HaShulchan 284:1). Some suggest that haftorah relates to “exempt” because it was instituted at a time when the Greek authorities forbade Torah study (see below). (Note that although the word looks like “Torah”, the ‘t’ sound in it comes from the letter ‘tet’ – unlike “Torah” which is spelled with a ‘tav’.) The root of the word is “patar” – which might mean to exempt or dismiss (common in Rabbinical Hebrew see also I Samuel 19:10, II Chronicles 23:8), or to open/begin (Exodus 13:2, Psalms 22:8, Proverbs 17:14). Preferably the haftorah should be read from a scroll, written in a manner similar to a Torah.Īs an aside, it isn’t that clear what the word “haftorah” actually means. A blessing is recited beforehand and blessings are recited after. It is known as the haftorah (sometimes written haftarah in English). On many days on which the Torah is read – Shabbat and the major festivals, as well as on fast days in the afternoon (at the Mincha prayer), a short selection from the Prophets is read, on a topic relating to the Torah reading and/or the occasion. Thank you for raising the interesting topic. What is the source of the custom to read from the Prophets on Shabbat and other occasions after reading from the Torah? Is it a recent custom? The Aish Rabbi Replies ![]()
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