Haftorah
Noun: A selection from the books of the Prophets (Nevi'im) in the Hebrew Bible, read publicly in synagogue services following the reading from the Torah (the Pentateuch) on Sabbaths, festivals, and fast days. The content of the Haftarah is thematically linked to the Torah portion or the significance of the day.
The word "Haftarah" (also spelled Haftorah, Haphtarah) is used specifically in the context of Jewish liturgy and religious practice. It refers to the prescribed supplementary reading.
Examples: * The rabbi chanted the Haftarah with a traditional melody. * After the Torah scroll was returned to the ark, the reader approached the lectern to recite the Haftarah. * Her Bat Mitzvah preparation involved learning both a Torah portion and its corresponding Haftarah.
- The person who reads the Haftarah is called the "Maftir" (which can also refer to the final verses of the Torah portion repeated before the Haftarah).
- The practice of reading a serves to complement the Torah reading and often provides prophetic commentary or elaboration on its themes.
- On certain special Sabbaths (e.g., Shabbat HaGadol, Shabbat Shuvah), the is chosen for its direct relevance to the upcoming holiday or season, rather than a specific Torah portion.
- Haftorah / Haphtarah: Alternate English transliterations of the same Hebrew word (הפטרה).
- Haftarot / Haftorahs / Haphtarot: Plural forms.
- Maftir (noun): The person called to recite the Haftarah; also the concluding section of the weekly Torah portion.
- Nevi'im (noun): The Prophets, the second section of the Hebrew Bible from which Haftarah readings are taken.
- Prophetic portion: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the source of the reading.
- Haphtarah: A variant spelling.
The term "Haftarah" comes from the Hebrew root meaning "to take leave" or "conclude," indicating its function as the concluding scriptural reading of the synagogue service. It is a distinct and mandatory component of the liturgy, not merely an optional addition.
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a short selection from the Prophets read on every Sabbath in a Jewish synagogue following a reading from the Torah