THE TEN SABBATHS OF ADMONITION, CONSOLATION, AND REPENTANCE – PART ONE

Generally speaking, the various selections from the Prophets, called “Haftaroth,” which are read after the Torah portion itself on each Shabbath during the annual Torah study cycle, are topical in nature, reflecting the subject and spirit of their particular Torah portions. However, during the ten weeks preceding Yom Hakipporym, they are instead all focused upon a single theme – the process of admonition and rebuke, consolation and promise, repentance and return. There are, respectively, three Sabbaths of Admonition, seven Sabbaths of Consolation, and three Sabbaths of Repentance. These correspond to and are contained within the latter portion of the annual Hebrew festival cycle, and more specifically to the “fasts of the 4th, 5th, and 7th (Hebrew) months,” concluding with the Great Fast, Yom Hakippurym. This three-part series will attempt to describe and illuminate the underlying structure and ideas behind the careful placement of these special Haftaroth, and somewhat of the reasons for the fasts themselves.

The entirety of the scriptural festival cycle, and indeed the entirety of the scriptures themselves, is likened to a Hebrew wedding ceremony, which itself is more than a single event, it is a process. This process begins in the spring with the choosing of the bride depicted by Pesach (Passover), the grooming and preparation of her throughout the 50 day cycle of the Omer count, continues in the summer with the betrothal ceremony symbolized by Shavuoth (Pentecost, and then finally comes to glorious conclusion in the fall with the marriage ceremony and it’s consummation illustrated by the festival of Sukkoth (Tabernacles). During the first two festivals and throughout the time between them, the groom remains close by his bride, teaching her as they go through the process of choosing, preparation and betrothal. However, once the betrothal ceremony is complete, the groom leaves her for a time to go and prepare their future home, giving instruction that she should remain chaste and continue to do those things she has been taught and which will enhance the bond between them until His return for her. It is at this point that things inevitably go awry. Without the continuing shepherding presence of the groom by her side, the bride-to-be fails in her faith and commitment, forsakes the One who loves her, and falls into sin. The ten Sabbaths of Admonition, Consolation, and Repentance are concerned with this period of time. It is we, the Qedoshym (Set-apart-ones, or Saints) and the Commonwealth of Israel, who make up this spiritual bride and who have sinned against our Groom – YHWH Most-High. Because of this, we must find a sure way to awaken from our spiritual slumber and deviance, and then return in faithfulness to the One we love and are betrothed to.

Thankfully, we know this sad story has a happy ending. We know the groom has the grace, strength, patience and love to wait for his bride and save her from all her failures. He, above all others, is faithful and will not forsake us. We, as the people of the Commonwealth of Israel, keep our trust in him, then remember and rehearse our own parts as the hopeful bride-to-be in this story each year with the fasts, prayers and special Sabbaths of Admonition, Consolation, and of Repentance during the ten weeks prior to Yom Hakipporym.



THE THREE SABBATHS AND HAFTAROTH OF ADMONITION



The fast of Tzom Lachodesh Har’viy’y, also known as Tzom Tammuz, inaugurates the ten week period, always occurring during the week just prior to the Sabbath of Parshath Mattoth. It is the "Fast of the 4th Month" mentioned in Zekaryah 8:19, and is also known as Shiva-Asar B’tammuz, which literally means the “17th of Tammuz.” The day is a solemn remembrance of the prophecied taking of Yerushalayim by Nebuchadnetzar of Babylon in 586 BCE, because of the many sins of Israel. It is a day of fasting and prayer, not given to smiles and merriment but of mourning. Tradition has it that the sin of the golden calf also occurred on this day, as well as the breaking of the first set of tablets by Moshe at Mount Sinai. The scripture readings are: Sh'moth 32:11-14; Sh'moth 34:1-10 and Yeshayahu 55:6-56:8. The Haftarah includes the verses which say:

“Seek יהוה while He is to be found, call on Him while He is near. Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה , who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for. For with joy you go out, and with peace you are brought in – the mountains and the hills break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field clap the hands. Instead of the thorn the cypress comes up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle comes up. And it shall be to יהוה for a name, for an everlasting sign which is not cut off.”

Parshath Mattoth is the Sabbath immediately following the fast of the 4th month, and is the first Sabbath of admonition, or “rebuke.” The readings for the day are: Numbers 30:2 - 32:42, and Jeremiah 1:1 - 2:3. The Haftarah includes the verses which say:

“And the word of יהוה came to me, saying, ‘Go, and you shall cry in the hearing of Yerushalayim, saying, “Thus said יהוה , ‘I remember you, the loving-commitment of your youth, the love of your bridehood, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Yisra’ĕl was set-apart to יהוה , the first-fruits of His increase. All who ate of it became guilty – evil came upon them,’ declares יהוה. ’"

And,

“For look, I am calling all the clans of the reigns of the north,” declares יהוה . “And they shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Yerushalayim, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Yehuḏah. And I shall pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their evil, because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other mighty ones, and bowed themselves to the works of their own hands.”

Parshath Massey is the second Sabbath of admonition. The readings for the day are: Numbers 33:1-36:13, Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2 The Haftarah includes the verses which say:

“Hear the word of יהוה , O house of Ya‛aqoḇ and all the clans of the house of Yisra’ĕl. Thus said יהוה , ‘What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My inheritance an abomination. The priests did not say, “Where is יהוה ?” And those who handle the Torah did not know Me, and the shepherds transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Ba‛al, and walked after matters that did not profit Therefore I still contend with you,’ declares יהוה , ‘ and with your children’s children I contend. For, pass beyond the isles of Kittim and see, and send to Qĕḏar and observe well, and see if there has been any like this. Has a nation changed its mighty ones, which are not mighty ones? But My people have changed My esteem for that which does not profit. Be amazed, O heavens, at this, and be frightened, be utterly dried up,’ declares יהוה . ‘For My people have done two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves cisterns, cracked cisterns, which do not hold water.’ “

Parshath Devarym is the third and final Sabbath of admonition and is also called Shabbath Chazon – the “Sabbath of Vision.” This is because of the beginning verses of it’s Haftarah which say:
“The vision of Yeshayahu son of Amots, which he saw concerning Yehuḏah and Yerushalayim in the days of Uzziyahu, Yotham, Aḥaz, Ḥizqiyahu – sovereigns of Yehuḏah.” It is always the Sabbath on or immediately preceding the fast of the fifth month, Tzom Lachodesh Hachamishy, also called Tisha B’av. The readings for the day are: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22, Isaiah 1:1-27. The Haftarah includes the verses which say:
“Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth! For יהוה has spoken, ‘I have reared and brought up children, but they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s crib – Yisra’ĕl does not know, My people have not understood.’ Alas, sinning nation, a people loaded with crookedness, a seed of evil-doers, sons acting corruptly! They have forsaken יהוה , they have provoked the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl, they went backward. Why should you be stricken any more? You continue in apostasy! All the head is sick, and all the heart faints. From the sole of the foot, to the head, there is no soundness in it – wounds and bruises and open sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment. Your land is laid waste, your cities are burned with fire, strangers devour your land in your presence. And it is laid waste, as overthrown by strangers. And the daughter of Tsiyon is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a hut in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Unless יהוה of hosts had left to us a small remnant, we would have become like Seḏom, we would have been made like Amorah.”

And,

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Stop doing evil! Learn to do good! Seek judgement, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,” says יהוה . “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you submit and obey, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword,” for the mouth of יהוה has spoken.”

Tzom Lachodesh Hachamishy, also known as Tisha B’av (the 9th of Av), is the “Fast of the 5th Month” listed in Zekaryah 8:19. It brings to a formal close the three weeks encompassing the Sabbaths of Admonition. The day is a solemn fast of mourning for the destruction of both the first and second Temples in 586 B.C.E. and 70 C.E, as well as several other national calamities that have come upon the people of Yisrael throughout history on this same day because of their many sins. Normal routines are set-aside and prayers of repentance and supplication are said. When Tzom Lachodesh Hachamishy falls on a weekly Sabbath, its observance and fasting are deferred to the following day. The scripture readings are: Devarym 4:25-40 and Yirmeyahu 8:13-9:23 in the morning; and Sh'moth 32:11-14 and Yeshayahu 55:6-56:8 in the afternoon; and the book of Ekah (Lamentations). The book of Ekah carries the spirit of this sorrowful fast day, and includes the verses which say:

“Remember, O יהוה , what has come upon us. Look, and see our reproach! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, And our houses to foreigners. We have become orphans, fatherless, Our mothers are like widows. We had to pay for our drinking water, And our wood comes at a price. We have been pursued close onto our neck, We have laboured and had no rest. To Mitsrayim we have given a hand; To Ashshur, to be satisfied with bread. Our fathers sinned, they are no more. We have borne their crookednesses. Servants have ruled over us; There is no one to deliver from their hand. With our lives we bring in our bread, Because of the sword of the wilderness. Our skin has become as hot as an oven, Because of the burning heat of scarcity of food. They have humbled the women in Tsiyon, The maidens in the cities of Yehuḏah. Rulers were hung up by their hands, And elders were not respected. They have taken young men to grind, And youths stumbled under loads of wood. Elders have ceased from the gate, Young men from their song. The joy of our heart has ceased, Our dancing has turned into mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this our heart has been sick, Because of these our eyes have become dim, Because of Mount Tsiyon which is laid waste; Foxes have gone roaming in it. You, O יהוה , remain forever, Your throne from generation to generation. Why do You forget us forever, Forsake us for length of days? Turn us back to You, O יהוה , And let us turn back, Renew our days as of old."

And,

“Remember my affliction and my anguish, The wormwood and the gall. Your soul indeed remembers and bows down upon me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I hope: The mercies of יהוה ! For we have not been consumed, For His compassions have not ended. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. “יהוה is my Portion,” says my being, “Therefore I wait for Him!”

The sum of the three Sabbaths of Admonition and rebuke is that the bride of the Most-High, which is the people of Israel and is symbolized by the Temple and city of Yerushalayim, has committed adultery with other religions and has defiled her betrothal vows. She has altogether sinned. She has forsaken and failed the Groom who has chosen her, fought for her and promised her His entire Kingdom in return for her faithfulness, and He has severely rebuked her for her actions. According to scripture, this also describes the heart condition of every one of us. None of us are without sin, “not one.” And, if we are honest about it, we all continue to find ways to sin, even now. The purpose of these three Sabbaths of Admonition and Rebuke is to awaken us, the spiritual slumberers of Yisrael, to our condition each year, and cause us to turn to YHWH with a whole and undivided heart in anticipation of His imminent return. They are meant to prick our hearts to shame and regret for our wrongs, both small and great, and cause us to once again return in humility to our Maker – to our beloved Groom, with whom we belong.

May YHWH inflame our hearts with His Spirit to return completely to Him.

B’shalom, Ovadyah