haphtorah
Noun: A reading from the Prophets (Nevi'im) in the Hebrew Bible, chanted or read in Jewish synagogue services on the Sabbath, festivals, and fast days immediately following the reading from the Torah (the Pentateuch). Its primary function is to complement and thematically link to the weekly Torah portion.
The word "haphtorah" (also commonly spelled "Haftarah") is used specifically in the context of Jewish liturgy and religious practice. It refers to the prescribed prophetic reading itself.
Examples: * The rabbi chanted the haphtorah with a traditional melody. * Preparing to chant his bar mitzvah haphtorah required months of study. * The weekly haphtorah portion for this Sabbath is from the book of Isaiah.
- The selection of a specific haphtorah is not random; it is chosen for its thematic connection (a verbal or conceptual link) to the weekly Torah portion ().
- The person honored with reading the haphtorah is called the . This person also recites the final verses of the Torah portion.
- Haftarah: The more common modern transliteration from Hebrew.
- Haphtarah: An alternative transliteration.
- Maftir (noun): 1) The person who reads the Haftarah. 2) The final section of the Torah portion read before the Haftarah.
- Torah (noun): The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, read prior to the Haphtorah.
- Nevi'im (noun): The Prophets, the section of the Hebrew Bible from which the Haphtorah is selected.
- Prophetic portion: A descriptive synonym.
- Haftarah reading: A common collocation.
The core meaning is fixed within Jewish religious tradition. It does not have multiple common meanings outside this context. The concept emphasizes the continuation of divine revelation from the Law (Torah) to the words of the Prophets.
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a short selection from the Prophets read on every Sabbath in a Jewish synagogue following a reading from the Torah
