Transcript
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Hello everyone. We've reached the
Haftarah of Parshat Ki Tavo.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
This is [music] how the prophet
addresses Zion, Jerusalem, telling her
to arise and shine, for your time has
come. After darkness, sorrow, and exile,
light [music] arrives.
This is not an ordinary light, like the
sun or a lamp, but [music] the light of
the glory of God.
The whole world may still be full of
darkness and fog, but upon Jerusalem,
[music] God will shine, and his glory
will be seen upon her.
This light does [music] not remain only
within Jerusalem. It will be so clear
and powerful that even distant nations
and great kings will see it and be drawn
to it. They will understand [music] that
there is something special here, a light
of holiness, a light that comes from the
creator of the universe.
The prophet [music] tells Zion, "Lift up
your eyes and look around. Everyone is
gathering and coming to you. Your sons
[music] will come from afar, and your
daughters will arrive with honor."
Jerusalem, [music] which seemed empty
and sad, will suddenly see her sons and
daughters returning to her. Her heart
will be moved, will expand, and will
even be overwhelmed with so much joy and
abundance. What once seemed distant and
scattered
>> [music]
>> is returning and gathering together.
Even distant nations will bring wealth
and gifts with them. The prophet
mentions camels, gold, and frankincense,
[music]
sheep, and rams. All this abundance does
not come for worldly glory, but for the
glory of God and for the holy temple.
They will proclaim the praises of
[music] God, and the things brought will
be accepted with favor before him.
The house of the Lord will be glorified.
The return of the children [music] of
Zion will be swift and moving.
The prophet likens them to clouds flying
in the sky and to doves returning to
their place. [music]
Distant ships will bring the children of
Jerusalem along with their silver and
gold in the name of the Lord their God
because Hashem has [music] chosen to
exalt Zion and reveal its glory.
Even people who are not part [music] of
the Jewish nation will build the walls
of Jerusalem and kings will serve her.
God says, "In my anger, I struck you.
But now, [music] in my favor,
I have had compassion on you."
After a period [music] of pain comes a
time of mercy, building, and honor.
The gates of Jerusalem will always
[music] be open. They will not be shut
day or night because great abundance
[music]
will come to her from the nations and
from kings.
The prophet [music] also says that
nations that do not accept the place of
Zion and do not serve her will not
stand.
The glory of Lebanon, precious and
beautiful trees, will come to adorn the
place of God's [music] sanctuary. Even
those who afflicted Jerusalem will come
to her in submission and call her the
city [music] of the Lord. Instead of
Jerusalem being forsaken, hated, and
empty, God will make her [music] an
everlasting pride, a joy for generations
to come. She will know clearly that the
Lord [music] is her savior, her
redeemer, the mighty one of Yakov.
Simple [music] things will be replaced
by more important and precious things.
Instead of bronze, gold will appear.
Instead [music] of iron, silver will
appear. Instead of wood, bronze, and
instead of [music] stones, iron.
Meaning her situation will always
improve and be elevated. The leadership
[music] will be different. Instead of
pressure and coercion, there will be
peace. Instead of people who burden and
harass, there will be righteousness.
Violence will no [music] longer be heard
in the land, nor robbery or destruction
within its orders. Her walls will be
called salvation, and [music] her gates
will be called praise. This is a
depiction of a city that is secure,
joyful, and full of gratitude to God.
The prophet continues [music]
and describes a very special light.
Jerusalem will not depend and only on
the light of the sun by day [music]
or the light of the moon by night,
because God himself will be her
everlasting light. There will no [music]
longer be a state of darkness and
mourning as there once was, for her days
of mourning will come to an end. This
light is [music] a light of closeness to
God, a light of comfort that never
ceases.
Ultimately, there will be a great
promise [music] for the people. They
will all be righteous and will inherit
the land forever. They are called the
work of God's [music] hands, his
planting, something in which the creator
takes pride. Even the smallest will
become [music] a thousand, and the
youngest will become a mighty nation,
meaning even that which seems small and
weak will grow and [music] become very
strong.
And then God concludes, "I am the Lord.
In its time, I will hasten it." [music]
When the time comes, God will bring
salvation quickly. The message is clear
and simple. Jerusalem is [music] moving
from darkness to light, from abandonment
to honor, from sorrow to joy, and from
crisis [music] to salvation.
God shines upon her, returns her sons
and daughters to her, brings her honor,
peace, [music] and righteousness, and
shows the whole world that he is the
savior and redeemer [music]
of his people. This is not an ordinary
light, but the light of God, a light of
holiness, comfort, and redemption.
>> [music]
