שבת פרה Shabbat Para

This week is the third in a series of special Torah/Haftarah readings called simply ארבע פרשיות Arba (four) Parshiyot. It is called Shabbat Parah after the פרה אדומה Para Aduma (red heifer) pericope we read as our Maftir. 

Maftir: Numbers 19:1-22 

Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38

We will use the Haftarah from Ezekiel and other sources to explore the time and events of his life. 

• Was Ezekiel a revolutionary radical? 

• Who was really responsible for the first Jewish Exile/Diaspora?

READ

The Red Heifer in Synagogue: Purifying Israel from Sin TT.Com

Yair Hoffman, The Forgotten Biblical Exile That Laid the Foundation for Jewish Life in the Diaspora Ha’aretz

Historical Background 

Jehoiachin’s Exile and the Division of Judah - TheTorah.com

More background

In exile, Hebrews found hope in Prophet Ezekiel’s visions National Geographic

Martti Nissinen, Ezekiel, Ethnicity and Identity,  (19 pages)