vital information: Fwd: Torat Imecha Haftorah

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From: The OU Women's Initiative <ouwomen@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 7:01 AM
Subject: Torat Imecha Haftorah - Shemot
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

Torat Imecha Haftorah for Sefer Shemot is dedicated by the family of Rabbi Dr. Israel Rivkin z"l, ישרא–ל בן רפא–ל זאב ז׳׳ל, as an aliyah for his neshama.

Haftorah Shemot

Mrs. Sara Malka Winter

Listen Now

Mrs. Sara Malka Winter holds a Master of Science degree in education and is a sought-after speaker in her community of Silver Spring, Maryland. As a teenager, Mrs. Winter founded Ashreinu, a Canadian kiruv organization dedicated to Jewish outreach to the Russian immigrant community, which has influenced hundreds of girls. Mrs. Winter lived in Israel for eight years with her family, where she taught and lectured across Jerusalem in seminaries, outreach centers, and high schools. In 2008, Mrs. Winter moved to Maryland to help found the Greater Washington Community Kollel, together with her husband, Rabbi Menachem Winter. She continues to lecture throughout the Washington, DC area as a Senior Lecturer for the Kollel on diverse topics, including Tefillah, Chumash, Nach, Tehillim, Chagim, and Mitzvos. Mrs. Winter is also a beloved teacher at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington Girls Division. At the OU Women's Initiative, Sara Malka taught Sefer Tehillim 53-62 and 120-134 to over 5,000 women worldwide as part of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program.

Dvar Haftorah

OU Women's Initiative

Founding Director

Rebbetzin Dr.

Adina Shmidman

Now

Parshat Shemot

Yeshayahu 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23

Keeping with the general rule that the Haftorah must end on a positive note, the Haftorah skips 37 pesukim to conclude with a powerful message of redemption. The penultimate verse declares: לֹֽא־עַתָּ֤ה יֵבוֹשׁ֙ יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְלֹ֥א עַתָּ֖ה פָּנָ֥יו יֶחֱוָֽרוּ׃, Not now will Yaakov be ashamed, and not now will his face turn pale. The repetition of לא עתה—"not now"—emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of the promise. It prompts us to ask: What is it about this moment, this "now," that alleviates Yaakov's shame and lifts his spirits? How does Yaakov, representing the Jewish people, hold his head high after enduring trials and suffering?

The answer is found in the next posuk: כִּ֣י בִ֠רְאֹת֠וֹ יְלָדָ֞יו מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָדַ֛י בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹ יַקְדִּ֣ישׁוּ שְׁמִ֑י וְהִקְדִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ אֶת־קְד֣וֹשׁ יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וְאֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יַעֲרִֽיצוּ׃, For when he sees his children, the work of My hands in his midst, they sanctify My name; they sanctify the Holy One of Yaakov and revere the God of Israel. Yaakov's pride is restored when he sees his children walking in the righteous path, sanctifying Hashem's name through their actions. Rashi explains that this sanctification refers to the bravery of Chananya, Mishael, and Azarya, who were willing to sacrifice their lives rather than bow to Nebuchadnezzar's idol. Their willingness to stand firm in the face of danger brought great honor to Hashem and to Yaakov, their forefather.

Perhaps this moment in history is the עתה that Yeshayahu envisioned—a time when the sacrifices and bravery of our children lift the Jewish people from shame to pride, from fear to strength. Since October 7th, our children—our soldiers, defenders, and volunteers—have shown extraordinary courage, passion, and sacrifice. They have risked everything, embodying the very essence of what it means to sanctify Hashem's name. Like Chananya, Mishael, and Azarya, they have displayed a fierce commitment to protecting the Jewish people and upholding our values, even under the most trying circumstances.Their actions remind us that true pride comes from living—and, if necessary, sacrificing—for a higher purpose.

May this עתה, this moment in time, be the turning point that transforms darkness into light, lifting Yaakov's face with pride and bringing redemption and peace to our people. May we merit to see these visions of redemption realized speedily in our days.