Avoiding Prophets

Tomorrow is the second of the three Sabbaths of Rebuke. If you recall, there are three weeks between the 17^th of Tammuz and the 9^th of Av where the readings from the prophets recall the sins of Israel that led to the destruction of the Temple and the Exile.

This week’s reading is from Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2. God uses strong language through His prophet Jeremiah to chastise Israel for its idolatry. He uses metaphors like harlots spreading out under any tree and donkeys in heat. God plaintively calls out to Israel, “What have I not done for you that you would defile yourselves with these idols? Did I not redeem you out of Egypt and bring you to a rich land?” He then tells them that they have brought the coming destruction upon themselves.

This passage is reminiscent of Yeshua’s mournful lament over Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Mattityahu/Matthew 23:37)

The reading begins with the words, “Hear the words of Hashem[1], O House of Jacob…” There is a midrash[2] (Pesikta d’Rav Kahana) that says that the reason it begins with these words is to tell Israel, if you had listened to God’s words, the Holy Torah, you would not have needed prophets sent to you to reprimand you. Had Israel followed God’s Law and not worshipped idols, God would not be sending Jeremiah and the coming destruction would have been avoided.

So it is with us. I believe that sometimes life circumstances can be brought upon us as a wake up call; to call us back to obedience and devotion to God. I don’t believe as some do that everything we experience in this life is brought upon us by God as a chastisement, but I think sometimes it is. These are “prophets” that serve as a wake up call. If we listen and obey God’s holy law then there would be no need for Him to send us “prophets” to call us to repentance. We can avoid these prophets, if we would only listen to and follow God’s Holy Torah.

May we all seek a life of holiness and devotion to God’s Holy Torah so that we can avoid the need for Him to send us prophets.

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[1] Literally “The Name”. This is used so as not to speak God’s holy name, sometimes rendered as LORD.

[2] Creative interpretation of scripture