Haftorah Commentaries

Easy access links to Rebbetzin Chana Bracha’s weekly Haftorah Commentaries:

The Book of Bereshit
Haftorat Bereshit (Yesha’yahu 42:5-43:10): This is a piece about Simchat Torah with a short commentary on the haftorah of Bereishit from where I extrapolated the important role of women to protect the Jewish people from anything negative – The Holy Women who Protect Israel
Haftorat Noach (Yesha’yahu, Chapter 54): In this Haftorah, I focus on the connection to Parashat Noach, in addition to the disguised blessings of the barren woman, which I myself experienced in several ways throughout my more than fourteen years of secondary infertility – Parshat Noach and Blessing in Disguise
Haftorat Lech Lecha (Yesha’yahu 40:27-41:16): Now that we finally have entered the month of Cheshvan, I enjoy the renewal of our daily routine following all the commotion of the holidays. After being loaded with all the lights of our spiritual experiences of Tishrei, we return to our daily day tasks with renewed strength. This week’s Torah and Haftorah readings are in sync with this physical and spiritual renewal that we experience at this time of the year – Physical and Spiritual Renewal
Haftorat Vayeira (2 Melachim 4:1-37): I’m excited about this week’s haftorah which is all about how the power of women’s emunah brings about Hashem’s miracles in the world. Today, we too, can link ourselves to their chain of emunah, to revive the spirit of our people and continue to plant and rebuild our Land! – The Power of Women’s Emunah
Haftorat Chayei Sarah (1 Melachim 1:1-31): These last few haftorot are so inspiring and jam-packed with stories of heroic women. From our haftorah, we learn that it is specifically by developing our feminine attribute of “binah” that we can have an impact on the world, giving birth to the cosmic redemption. Learning about how the Davidic line was ensured by the special binah of Rivka and Bat Sheva, inspires us to develop this quality in ourselves to build our homes and thereby the Jewish Nation – Developing our Feminine Attribute of Binah
Haftorat Toldot (Malachi 1:1-2:7): Our haftorah spells out what is hinted in the Torah portion regarding the truth of Rivkah’s perception concerning her sons. Hashem clearly validates Rivkah’s affinity for Ya’acov, while outrightly condemning Esav. However, even Esav has redeeming qualities. “For there was venison in his mouth,” can be understood to refer to holy sparks concealed within his head, which was buried in the Machpelah cave. Read on to learn about the “Esavs” and “Ya’acovs” of today and how to elevate the sparks of Esav – The “Esavs” and the “Ya’acovs” of Today
Haftorat Vayetze (Hoshea 12:13-14:10): In my commentary on this week’s haftorah I discuss the hard work of Ya’acov for his wives according to both the simple meaning (peshat), midrash and Kabalah. According to the basic understanding, Ya’acov’s toil for the sake of his wives was a great heroic deed that we should emulate. It may seem at first glance as if the mystical level contradicts this but in the end you will see that also according to Kabalah, it was only through this hard, even excessive, work that Ya’acov was able to do a tikun (rectification) for Adam, and rescue his seed from the captivity of the serpent – Ya’acov’s Toil to Deserve His Wives
Haftorat Vayishlach (Ovadiah, Chapter 1:1-21): In this week’s haftorah I found an allusion to what I have been practicing in spiritual healing. Reciting the Shema with complete mindfulness has the power to overcome Esav – the source of negative energy. In spiritual healing, we recite the Shema to remove negative energy from a place, person or object. It was very reaffirming to find a source for this in our haftorah. Read on, and learn in – The Secret Power of Shema Yisrael
Haftorat Vayeshev (Amos 2:6-3:8):  The importance of developing this sensitivity and compassion is the main theme of the haftorah reading – Sisterly Sensitivity
Haftorat Miketz (Chanukah) (Zechariah 2:14-4:7): During the blessed holiday of Chanukah we can get a glimpse of the future perfected reality. At that time the light of the woman will grow, and laws that seemingly denigrate women will no longer apply. We live in the exciting time of transformation. In my commentary on the Chanuka Haftorah I discuss how to deal with issues such as “Kol Isha” (women singing in the presence of men) at the Shabbat table – Sing and Rejoice, Daughter of Zion!
Haftorat Vayigash (Yechezkiel 37:15-28): This haftorah, is about the reunification between the brothers, especially Yehudah and Yosef whose energies can be opposed. It alludes to how we can bring redemption and world peace by overcoming friction between the different segments within our people – The Path to Peace and Redemption
Haftorat Vayechi (1 Melachim 2:1- 12): This haftorah touches upon the bridge between life and death and mentions a very hidden woman in the Bible, Tzeruriah who really sparked my interest. I am also sharing with you some highlights on why we pray for someone using the name of their mother while after death they are mentioned together with the name of their father – The Bridge Between Life and Death

The Book of Shemot
Parashat Shemot: On the Verge of Redemption
Parashat Va’era: Our Actions Today Empower the Future
Parashat Bo: Hashem’s Feminine In-dwelling Presence
Parashat Beshalach: Devorah: “A Woman of Flames”
Parashat Yitro: (at present there is no commentary for this week)
Parashat Mishpatim: Overcoming Negative Patterns and Addiction
Parashat Terumah:
Parashat Tetzaveh: The Power of Visualization
Parashat Ki Tisa:
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei: Haftorat Parashat Pekudei, Shabbat Shekalim

(Shabbat before or on Rosh Chodesh Nissan: Haftorat HaChodesh)

The Book of Vayikra
Parashat Vayikra: Praising Hashem Through Song
Parashat Tzav:
Parashat Shemini: The Dance of David: Haftorat Parashat Shemini
Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Reaching Perfection in Speech
Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: To Plant and Be Planted
Parashat Emor: The Power of Challah
Parashat Behar: Redeeming the Land – The Extension of Our Soul
Parashat Bechukotai:

The Book of Bamidbar
Parashat Bamidbar:
Parashat Naso:
Parashat Beha’alotcha: The Joy of the Daughter of Zion
Parashat Shlach L’chah:
Parashat Korach: The Feminine Role in Establishing True Kingdom Women on the Land: Birth, Renewal and Redemption
Parashat Chukat: The Pilegesh in Our Times
Parashat Balak: Walk Modestly with Your G-d
Parashat Pinchas:
Parashat Matot/Masai:

The Book of Devarim
Parashat Devarim:
Parashat Va’etchanan: The Inner Lights of Tu b’Av
Parashat Eikev:
Parashat Re’eh:
Parashat Shoftim: Tapping into Hashem’s Comforting Energy
Parashat Ki Tetze: The Barren Woman Bursts Out in Song
Parashat Ki Tavo: Believe in Your Hidden Powers and Spiritual Grandeur!
Parashat Nitzavim:
Parashat Vayelech:
Parashat Ha’azinu: