Rosh Hashonah 5770 day 2, Introduction to the Haftorah
Sam Gold

On this, the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we read from the book of Jeremiah—a book not unfamiliar to the lamentations and sufferings of the Jewish people. In this chapter, the Jews have been scattered from their homeland, living as tribes and divided between northern and southern boundaries rather than as a single nation. The northern kingdom, also known as Ephraim, had become especially sinful after having shied away from god and setting up worship places for false idols. Yet, if nothing else, this chapter is about god’s sincere devotion and love for Ephraim and god’s promise to lead them home to Israel—the promise that despite the mourning and the grief these people endured, redemption will inevitably come. The prophet Jeremiah writes here with an intimacy not found in other haftorahs. He writes of god’s "eternal love," and the parent-child relationship established between god and Ephraim. Towards the end of the chapter, it is written: "Truly, Ephraim is a dear son to me, a child that is dandled! Whenever I have turned against him, my thoughts would dwell on him still. That is why my heart yearns for him; I will receive him back in love." The familial bond, as many of you are aware, is a common theme within the stories read on the high holidays. The birth of Isaac, the Akedah, and the birth of Samuel all deal with the incredible devotion of parents to their children and yet, few passages are poignant as the one above because now we read of a symbolic child of god. However, how could those who had been so wicked before then be held in such high regard? After all, this is the same god who banned Moses from the promise land after he simply questioned god’s instructions. As Rabbi Joseph Kara noted, because the northern kingdom "showed remorse and repented for their wickedness, god yearned for them and showed love for them." This simple act of apologizing, of recognizing one’s mistake and admitting it, proved to be the most powerful notion within the relationship of god and the people. And that is what this holiday and this week is about for me. Amidst the self-centeredness, ignorance and superficiality of everyday life, we often find it difficult to reflect on ourselves and recognize our own faults. But today, and for the next few days, this wondrous opportunity is placed in front of each and every one of us. Together, if only for a few moments, we share in this magnificent time of repentance and acceptance. This chapter stands as a metaphor because, much like today, it remains hauntingly beautiful amidst the troubling times, like those described within the book of Jeremiah.

There is also a second reason that god was able to forgive Ephraim and it relates back to the parent-child relationship mentioned before. No matter what the people of the northern kingdom did, there remained a special bond between god and god’s people. It is the bond of family and it is not something to be thought of lightly. It is a bond that brings us all together today for services, that brings children home from college and helps me to live without fear because I know that no matter what, just as god’s thoughts dwelled on Ephraim and will forever dwell on the Jewish people, my family will receive me back in love. In these times of introspection, the selection of this haftorah on the 2^nd day proves that we have encouraged certain things on which we reflect…family being paramount.

As far a story goes, there is not much to the plot of this haftorah, but that does not mean there is nothing to be learned either. Today, sheltered by love and presented with the opportunity to make anew, I see just how relevant this haftorah is to Rosh Hashanah. If I were to take just one thing away from today’s service, it would be that hope will always be present as long as we can first ask for forgiveness. Whether it be in the form of redemption from god or the embrace of a family member, we are fortunate enough to always have a source of hope, someone—some person, some entity—that loves us. I will cherish today, because in this light of self-reflection, I realize that love will always allow us to be forgiven, and thus, allow us to hope.