Torah Portion Summary
The word Ha'azinu literally means "give ear," (הַאֲזִינוּ) an expression meaning "listen to this." It is also the name of the fifty-third and second-to-last reading from the Torah. Ha'azinu is the first word of the Song of Moses, which begins with the words "Give ear (Ha'azinu), O heavens, and let me speak" (Deuteronomy 32:1). This Torah portion is only a single chapter long, and the majority of it consists of the Song of Moses. The Song of Moses is a prophetic oracle warning Israel about apostasy to come and the resulting wrath of God. The song looks far into the future, even envisioning the Messianic advent amid rich and frightening apocalyptic imagery. After the conclusion of the song, Moses is told to ascend Mount Nebo and overlook the promised land before dying.
Haftarah Portion Summary
The Haftarah for Parashat Ha'azinu is another song, namely, King David's hallel for the LORD's deliverance from his enemies. Hunted by Saul, without apparent means of escape, David cried out to God in profound anguish. The LORD intervened and rescued him, leading him to extol the LORD as his Rock, Refuge, Shield, Source of Confidence, and Courage.
This song is prophetic of the day when all Israel shall be saved after the Great Tribulation, when Yeshua Ha'melekh (King Jesus) delivers Israel from all her enemies.
B'rit Chadashah Portion Summary
The reading from the Brit Chadashah harkens back to the shirah of Moses, and in particular to Deuteronomy 31:21, "So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation."
On account of the sovereign purposes of the LORD, ethnic Israel, beloved as she is of God, has undergone a partial hardening until all of those whom the LORD has called from among the nations have been "grafted in" to the Olive Tree of God. During this age of grace, those who were called "not My people" are intended to "provoke Israel to jealousy" by means of the message, "Thou art My people." (see Hosea 2:23).
After the age of grace is complete, all Israel will indeed be saved (Rom. 11:26), and the original covenant nation will be fully restored and redeemed. Yom Kippur will be a fulfilled festival on that great day. Then the words of the prophets will be proven true and God will be vindicated. Israel will be adorned with honor and blessing above all the nations of the earth, and our "eschatological brethren" will finally be home from their long exile!
Ha'Azinu and Shabbat Shuvah
The Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah - "the Sabbath of Return," and we read passages that call us to return to the LORD during this time. This Shabbat is called "shuvah" because the Haftarah begins, Shuvah Yisrael ad Adonai Elohekha (שׁוּבָה יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד יְהוָה אֱלהֶיךָ): "Return, O Israel, unto the LORD your God!" (Hosea 14:1-2).
Note that when Ha'azinu is read on Shabbat Shuvah, a different haftarah portion is read (instead of 2 Sam. 22:1-51), though it is somewhat complicated: Ashkenaz read Hosea 14:1-9 and Joel 2:15-27, whereas Sephardim read Hosea 14:1-9 and Micah 7:18-20.
| Torah Portion | Haftarah Portion(s) | B'rit Chadashah Portion(s) |
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Deuteronomy 32
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Hosea 14:2-10
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Matthew 18:21-35
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Micah 7:18-20
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Romans 10:14-11:12
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Joel 2:15-27
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