An Explanation of the Haftarah Nitzavim
Hashem will not keep silent and there will be no rest before Him, until He takes retribution on the nations that distressed Israel, and the salvation will be revealed before the eyes of all.
- Explanation of the Haftarah of Parshat Nitzavim
- י"ח אלול תשפ"ה | 11/09/2025 | 21:48 – 18th of Elul 5785 | Sept 11, 2025 |
The Connection Between the Haftarah and the Torah Portion
This Haftarah is the seventh of the seven Haftarot of consolation, which are read as the Haftarah on the seven Sabbaths of consolation starting from the first Sabbath after Tisha B'Av.
Section 2: Content of the Haftarah
The nation of Israel is comforted and rejoices in Hashem, for He has done great kindnesses with them. And just as the earth brings forth plants after the seeds have rotted in the soil, so too Israel, after being humbled in exile, will rise to greatness.
Hashem will not keep silent and there will be no rest before Him, until He takes retribution on the nations that distressed Israel, and the salvation will be revealed before the eyes of all.
Hashem will call Zion by a new name, "Cheftzi-Vah", and when Israel returns to their land and settles in it, it will be proper and fitting, for the land is suitable only for them and not for the nations of the world, just as a virgin is suitable for a young man and not for an old man, and just as a groom rejoices over his bride, so will Hashem, may He be blessed, rejoice in you.
The prophet addresses those who mourn for Jerusalem, that they should not rest and should not be quiet and should continue crying, until Hashem establishes and builds Jerusalem, and indeed Hashem swore by His right hand that He will not abandon His nation, and foreigners will no longer eat their grain as they did in the past, but the children of Israel will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
The prophet addresses the nations of the world to pave highways and prepare safe roads to bring the children of Israel back to their land.
Likewise, the prophet prophesies about the destruction of Edom, comparing Hashem to a warrior who goes out to slay his enemies, whose garments are stained with the blood of the slain. So will Hashem exact retribution from Edom for what they did to Israel, but not because of the merits of Israel, rather He will do this for the sake of His blessed Name, for in all the distress of Israel He shares with them, and He saves them because of His love and compassion for them, and therefore we must thank Him for all the goodness He has bestowed upon us with His abundant mercy and great kindness.
Yishayahu chapter 61
10 When Israel returns from exile they will say (Radak) [and some say Jerusalem will say (Targum Yonatan)]: "I will greatly rejoice in Hashem, [in open joy] [a] in Hashem's attribute of mercy (Radak) my soul shall exult my soul will exult with gladness of the heart, in my L-rd", from the aspect that he reveals Himself to me that He is my L-rd who is special to me in His providence (Malbim) [and some say "in my L-rd" — the attribute of strict justice] [b] that He had mercy upon me even while He acted with me in the attribute of strict justice, and therefore he double the rejoicing, "rejoice, I will greatly rejoice" (Radak); "for He has clothed me in garments of salvation" [c] the suit as my measure, that the salvation was a private one special to me (Malbim); "and in a robe of righteousness He has covered me, like a bridegroom who dons garments of glory" [d] who wears splendid garments like a High Priest (Rashi); "and like a bride who adorns herself with her jewelry" [e] (Targum Yonatan) with her ornaments [e] jewelry (Rashi).
11 "For the salvation of Israel is as the earth brings forth its growth" [f] for Hashem's salvation to Israel is like a sprout, as after the seed rots and decays it renews and becomes far nicer than the old one, and from one seed came out several seeds, so too Israel, after they were lowered, will rise to greatness, and will be fruitful and multiply and added to what they were in number, in honor, and in greatness; and another parable compares Israel to a garden, "and as a garden causes its plantings to sprout, where vegetables do not sprout all at once, but according to the seasons of the year, so my Master, Hashem, will cause to sprout for Israel, good after good righteousness and kindness [in the force of the upper righteousness/charity (Malbim) which is the Shechinah] and praise, opposite the eyes of all the Gentiles", and praise" and glory through our good deeds (Malbim]."
1 The word of Hashem when Israel is in exile (Radak), For the sake of Zion that they destroyed unto its foundation, I will not be silent from exacting punishment from the nations (Metzudat David), and for the sake of Jerusalem I will not rest there will be no rest or peace before Me (Rashi), until goes forth like brightness in revealed openness, as a thing that is clear to all eyes, her righteousness and He repeated and said, and her salvation like a burning flame that will be visible to all (Metzudat David), and even to distant nations (Radak). 2 And all nations shall see your righteousness the kindness and good that I shall do for you, and all kings your glory they will recognize, and you shall be called by a new name Cheftzi-Vah (Radak) which the mouth of Hashem shall specify He will reveal the reason for this name and explain it (Malbim). 3 And you shall be guarded in his hand like a crown of glory in the hand of Hashem (Metzudat David), and you shall be glorious in the eyes of the nations who will boast in you; and He repeated and said (Metzudat David), and a royal turban in the palm of your L-rd that He will support you so that you do not fall forever, a crown of glory and a turban of royalty from you (Radak). 4 It shall no longer be said to you, "Forsaken" [regarding you] Jerusalem, from Hashem," and of your land [regarding your land] the rest of Israel it shall no longer be said, "Desolate" from her inhabitansts, for to you Jerusalem shall be called "My Desire Is in Her," that her inhabitants dwell within her, and to your land "Inhabited," and He explains the reason why it will be called "My Desire Is in Her," for Hashem desires you, and your land shall be inhabited. 5 For as a young man marries shall settle (Radak and Metzudat David) a virgin, so shall your sons marry you and settle in you, and they will not separate, just as when a young man marries a virgin, the connection is complete without previous separation; so shall your sons settle in you and not be separated, and like the gladness of a groom over a bride [g] so shall your L-rd rejoice over you (Metzudat David). 6 On your walls [h] (Metzudat David) O Jerusalem on the wrecked walls of Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen angels who remind Hashem regarding her destruction to rebuild her (Rashi); and some say they are the mourners of Zion who mourn and look forward to her rebuilding, all the day and all the night continually they shall not be silent they will not grow weary of crying out and mourning to be rebuilt (Radak). The prophet requests of those who remind: you who remind Hashem the merit of the Fathers, that He will redeem their children, take no rest with a request, do not cease from crying out and reminding of their merit (Rashi). 7 And give Him no rest do not leave Hashem in quiet from your request, but urge Him in this, until He establishes and repairs Jerusalem on its base and foundation, and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Metzudat David). 8 And the prophet says to them in consolation Hashem has sworn by His (Radak) right hand [i] (Metzudat David) and by His strong arm (Metzudat David): "I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies" [the five types of grain] "and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine" (Malbim) "for which you have labored." 9 "For those who gather it the grain (Rashi) shall eat it, and praise Hashem" for the goodness and abundance, "and those who collect it shall drink it in the courts of My sanctuary" in their houses located in the courts of the Holy City, Jerusalem (Metzudat David). 10 You the nations, Pass through, pass through the gates from gate to gate of the city, clear the way of the people so that all of Israel will be able to return securely to their land, pave, pave the highway lift up and elevate the roads, clear away the stones remove and clear the roads of obstacle and hindrance, raise a banner for the peoples as a sign for the nations that they should bring Israel to the Land of Israel (Radak and Metzudat David). 11 Behold, Hashem has proclaimed that the time of redemption has come to the end of the earth: "Say to the daughter of Zion: Behold, your salvation comes!" your Redeemer comes to redeem you, "behold, His reward is with Him" payment of reward and recompense is present with Him to pay Israel for the exile they suffered for His Name, and He repeated and said, "and His work before Him" payment for the work and good deeds they performed in exile even while experiencing great distress, ready before Him to give to the righteous (Radak and Metzudat David). 12 And they shall call them, "The Holy Nation," for they are holy in their deeds and righteousness (Malbim), "The Redeemed of Hashem"; and you shall be called, "Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken" For Hashem always seeks her for good, and then they will recognize and know that Hashem has not abandoned you forever (Metzudat David).