{"id":67755,"date":"2018-07-09T17:45:45","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-389\/"},"modified":"2023-08-02T16:21:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T13:21:29","slug":"wall-389","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-389\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-Isaiah-55"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"389","date":"20270224","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"67974","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"JPS Audio Bible - Isaiah Chapter 55 ","post_title":"JPS Audio Bible - Isaiah Chapter 55","slug":"jps-audio-bible-isaiah-chapter-55","old_id":"67974","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"JPS Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"Isaiah Chapter 55","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"Hear the daily chapter","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-753876298\/jps_audio_bible_isaiah_chapter_55","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"116890","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Punishment Vs. Pardon ","post_title":"Punishment Vs. Pardon","slug":"punishment-vs-pardon","old_id":"116890","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Thoughts on the difference between human forgiveness and divine\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Chapter 55:6\u201356:8 encompass the haftorah reading on fast days (for Ashkenazim). In a bit of irony for a fast day, the haftorah does not begin at the start of chapter 55:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ho, all who are thirsty, come for water, even if you have no money; come, buy food and eat: buy food without money, wine and milk without cost.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Instead, the haftorah begins six verses in:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Seek GOD while you can, call out while [God] is near. Let the wicked give up their ways, The sinful, their plans; Let each one turn back to GOD so as to be pardoned; To our God, who freely forgives. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are My ways your ways\u00a0 \u2014declares GOD (verses 6-8).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The call of the fast day is for the people to focus their energy not on food, but on seeking out God and seeking forgiveness. The first two verses of the haftorah speak to this: seek God and repent, for even the wicked can be forgiven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Then the text sets up the reason why: that God\u2019s thoughts and ways are not the same as humans. What is the difference between thoughts and ways? Rashi combines these two and explains that God is comparing his laws and human laws. In human courts, if someone confesses their transgression, they are usually punished. In the heavenly court, if someone confesses their sins, then God will make sure to forgive them. Ibn Ezra separates the two. The people have in their mind that if they come back to God, then God will be upset with them. Their thoughts are only on what bad things may happen. God explains to the people that He is not even thinking that. God simply wants the people to return to Him so He can reward them. His ways, therefore, are ways of mercy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

According to Radak, when a person harms another and then seeks forgiveness the one who is harmed may either hold a grudge against the other or, even if he forgives him, may still resent them in their heart. God is not secretly fuming against those that confess, and His ways are not to hold a grudge. Perhaps what God is saying can be gleaned from verse 9.\u00a0 \u201cBut as the heavens are high above the earth, So are My ways high above your ways And My plans above your plans.\u201d God may not just be distinguishing His thoughts and ways from the people. God is telling the people that they cannot even comprehend what God is thinking or what God\u2019s actions are. The people may be trying to calculate what God is trying to do, and all God is saying is: trust me, I have a plan. There is a reason for everything that is happening and there is a reason that I want you back. Your sinning, punishment, and return is all part of that plan. Focus on that alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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She has been sharing her passion for Jewish texts of all kinds for over 15 years, with students of all ages. Sarah\u2019s essays have been published in a variety of internet and print media, including Times of Israel, Kveller, Jewish Action, OU Life, The Lehrhaus, TorahMusings, and more. Sarah lives in Cleveland with her husband and four children, but is privileged to learn online with students all over the world through www.TorahTutors.org and www.WebYeshiva.org. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Sarah Rudolph is a freelance Jewish educator, writer, and editor.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34251,"alt":"","title":"Sarah R","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","width":2824,"height":4246,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-200x300.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-681x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":681,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-681x1024.jpg","large-width":681,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","1536x1536-width":1022,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","2048x2048-width":1362,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-798x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":798,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-279x420.jpg","home_baner-width":279,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Where in Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs is the Torah?","post_main_content_content":"

I once overheard a friend on the phone with another friend, saying that they really had to speak more often, and impressing upon her that she wasn\u2019t just saying it, as one does, but felt a deep lack when they weren\u2019t in touch often enough. \u201cLike I have to breathe, I have to talk to you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Abraham Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs may categorize friendship as a less fundamental necessity than air to breathe, but for those of us fortunate to have our physical needs met \u2013 and maybe for those who aren\u2019t \u2013 there will always be things we feel we cannot live without in the same way we cannot live without air to breathe, food to eat, or water to drink.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

There is a well-circulated story of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, of blessed memory, who headed Yeshivat Har Etzion for many years: At the end of the 9<\/span>th<\/span> of Av, while others would run to the dining hall to break their fast, he would run to the study hall. After all, he pointed out, eating and drinking aren\u2019t the only things forbidden on the 9<\/span>th<\/span> of Av; Torah study, because of the great joy we like to think it brings, is also prohibited on that day of mourning. After 25 hours without it, Rav Lichtenstein thirsted for Torah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In chapter 55 verse 1, the prophet Isaiah invites \u201call who are thirsty, come for water; even if you have no money, come, buy food and eat.\u201d Which food and water could be so readily available, even without funds? As the prophet continues, the metaphor becomes clear: \u201cWhy do you spend money for what is not bread, your earnings for what does not satisfy? Give heed to Me, and you shall eat choice food and enjoy the richest viands\u201d (v. 2). Sustenance for the soul can be gained simply by attending to God\u2019s words; this \u201cfood and water\u201d is free to all who desire it and more deeply nourishing, the prophet suggests, than much of what we squander our money on.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

According to the Talmud (Bava Kama 82a), the tri-weekly Torah reading was established when the Jewish people in the wilderness went without water for three days and began to feel faint. Based on our text from Isaiah, \u201cwater\u201d is understood there too as a metaphor for Torah; as tradition has it, the leaders resolved then and there that we would never again let three days go by without Torah. It would be irresponsible to deny ourselves such a basic need.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cMan cannot survive on bread alone, but lives on the word of God\u201d (Deut. 8:3).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jewish tradition is clear that fundamental physical needs take priority over the spiritual; we can agree with Maslow on that. But prioritizing one doesn\u2019t negate the crucial nature of the other. Like we have to breathe, we need our friends; like we have to eat and drink, we need our connection with Torah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: Maslow's hierarchy of needs, represented as a pyramid with the more basic needs at the bottom \/ wikipedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":68251,"alt":"","title":"is55-maslow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","width":1280,"height":905,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-300x212.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-768x543.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-1024x724.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":905,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":905,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-1200x848.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-594x420.png","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Different Sort of Thirst","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Where in Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs is the Torah?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":68251,"alt":"","title":"is55-maslow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","width":1280,"height":905,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-300x212.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-768x543.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-1024x724.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":905,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":905,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-1200x848.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-maslow-594x420.png","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"386","name":"Psychology","old_id":"786"},{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"415","name":"food","old_id":"815"},{"term_id":"616","name":"Spirit","old_id":"1016"},{"term_id":"676","name":"Material","old_id":"1076"},{"term_id":"804","name":"Need","old_id":"1204"}]},{"order":4,"id":"68253","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Inscrutability Of God ","post_title":"The Inscrutability Of God","slug":"the-inscrutability-of-god","old_id":"68253","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"My way is the high way","post_main_content_content":"

Our chapter includes a prophetic statement of fundamental theological importance: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways\u2019, declares the Lord, \u2018As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

We have here a classic Scriptural statement of the belief in the inscrutability of God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Maimonides elaborates on this principle and its implications in his Mishneh Torah (Laws of Repentance 5:5, see also his Guide for the Perplexed 3:20): The Holy One, blessed be He, does not know with a knowledge that is external from Him as do people. Rather, He and His knowledge are one. Human understanding cannot completely grasp this concept. For just as it is beyond the ability of a person to comprehend and conceive the essential nature of the Creator, so too it is beyond one\u2019s ability to comprehend and conceive of the Creator's knowledge. As God says: \"For My thoughts are not your thoughts.\u201d Nevertheless, people have freedom of choice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

On the other hand, Rashi interprets Isaiah 55 verse 8 by reference to verse 7: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

My thoughts are not the same as your thoughts. For this reason, I tell you: \u201cLet the wicked forsake their ways and the man of iniquity his thoughts\u2026 (55:7) <\/span><\/p>\r\n

meaning, to do what is right in My eyes. Rashi refers to the midrash on our verse (Tanhuma Buber Vayeshev 11). \u201cNeither are your ways My ways\u201d (Isaiah 55:8). This may be compared to a human king. When he judges someone, he asks whether the accused killed the victim or not. If the accused confesses, the king has him executed. But the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He, are just the opposite. For God shows mercy to the one who confesses his sins, as it says: \u201cWhoever conceals his sins will not succeed. But the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy\u201d (Proverbs 28:13).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Midrash (Pesiqta Rabbati 44) relates Isaiah\u2019s prophecy to a basic Rabbinic statement on repentance. If a person sins intentionally planning to repent later, he will not be given the opportunity to repent (see Mishnah Yoma 8:9). Such a sinner is like one who immerses in a mikveh <\/em>(ritual bath) to cleanse himself of impurity, while continuing to hold in his hand the same impure reptile from which he contacted impurity. Let him first cast away what is impure and then immerse and be purified. This is as Scripture says: \u201cLet the wicked forsake their ways\u2026Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them\u2026for He will abundantly pardon\u201d (Isaiah 55:7). Rabbi Tanhuma bar Abba (5<\/span>th<\/span> century CE), who often opens and closes Rabbinic discussions, adds a more general observation: \u201cFor My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways\u201d (Isaiah 55:8). From this verse we learn that the very nature of the Holy One, blessed be He, is simply not at all like human nature.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":68254,"alt":"","title":"is55-bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","width":1323,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-207x300.jpg","medium-width":207,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-706x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":706,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-706x1024.jpg","large-width":706,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":1058,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":1323,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-827x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":827,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-289x420.jpg","home_baner-width":289,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Inscrutability Of God","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"My way is the high way","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":68254,"alt":"","title":"is55-bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","width":1323,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-207x300.jpg","medium-width":207,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-706x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":706,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-706x1024.jpg","large-width":706,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":1058,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":1323,"2048x2048-height":1920,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-827x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":827,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-bregman-289x420.jpg","home_baner-width":289,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"459","name":"Forgiveness","old_id":"859"},{"term_id":"581","name":"Mercy","old_id":"981"},{"term_id":"619","name":"Free Will","old_id":"1019"}]},{"order":5,"id":"116915","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"The Tanakh Podcast-Isaiah55","post_title":"The Tanakh Podcast-Isaiah55","slug":"the-tanakh-podcast-isaiah55","old_id":"116915","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33692,"post_title":"Alex Israel","slug":"33692-2","old_id":"33692","first_name":"Alex","last_name":"Israel","description":"Alex Israel teaches Tanakh at the Pardes Institute, Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi and Matan, Jerusalem. 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Call out while God is near...\" On the other hand, we cannot fathom God's ways: \"My ways high above your ways; And My plans above your plans\"","tile_preview_embedded":"\r\n","tile_preview_image":{"id":108885,"alt":"","title":"-635baf915f04f--635baf915f050tanakh podcast - Alex Israel.JPG","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","width":350,"height":352,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG-298x300.jpg","medium-width":298,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","medium_large-width":350,"medium_large-height":352,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","large-width":350,"large-height":352,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","1536x1536-width":350,"1536x1536-height":352,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","2048x2048-width":350,"2048x2048-height":352,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","post_full_size-width":350,"post_full_size-height":352,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/10\/635baf915f04f-635baf915f050tanakh-podcast-Alex-Israel.JPG.jpg","home_baner-width":350,"home_baner-height":352}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6Lh6u6JilkQJYpGupIcj3X","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"589","name":"audio","old_id":"989"},{"term_id":"857","name":"podcast","old_id":"1257"}]},{"order":6,"id":"68260","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Eternalizing The Covenant ","post_title":"Eternalizing The Covenant","slug":"eternalizing-the-covenant","old_id":"68260","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":64462,"post_title":"Analia Bortz","slug":"analia-bortz","old_id":"64462","first_name":"Analia ","last_name":"Bortz ","description":"Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz is a medical doctor with postdoctoral studies in Bioethics. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":64463,"alt":"","title":"analia bortz","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","width":225,"height":225,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","medium_large-width":225,"medium_large-height":225,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","large-width":225,"large-height":225,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","1536x1536-width":225,"1536x1536-height":225,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","2048x2048-width":225,"2048x2048-height":225,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","post_full_size-width":225,"post_full_size-height":225,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","home_baner-width":225,"home_baner-height":225}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"We must actively seek: explore, listen, act and never marginalize dissent","post_main_content_content":"

Incline your ear and come to Me, listen and you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the enduring loyalty promised to David<\/span><\/em>\u00a0(Isaiah 55:3)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Brit Olam<\/span><\/em>, an everlasting covenant, is the contract we signed at Sinai and renew in every generation. While Yishayahu Leibowitz articulated that a man of faith must sacrifice his principles in the name of loving God and fearing God, David Hartman invited us to make this covenant a living pact that reaches out to each human being, and in so doing, establishes a partnership within the responsibility that both God and humanity shape pluralistically. We make this covenant come alive with differing interpretations, constructive dialogue and diverse points of view. Instead of approaching the text through dogmatic lenses that freeze its meaning and make it a museum exhibit, we maintain God\u2019s gift of an eternal \u201c<\/span>brit<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/i>, by personal perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The covenant is eternal only if we are seekers: \u201cHappy is the heart that seeks God\u201d (I Chronicles 16:10). Seekers renew meaning by asking questions, by awakening curiosity, by respecting disagreement. The journey inspires us to seek, to explore, not to be content with the conformity of the known. Isaiah presents an eternal covenant, we make of it a living bond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The vision of Isaiah does not gift us with a perfect world, but with a world full of\u00a0 imperfections, inviting those seekers to explore, to listen, to act and never to marginalize dissent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

God has a human partner, not just an ideal nor an abstract concept, but a real partner that recreates God\u2019s creation. In the midst of daily maintaining our eternal covenant we bring God to eternity.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":68261,"alt":"","title":"is55-covenant","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","width":1920,"height":1357,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-300x212.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-768x543.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-1024x724.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1086,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1357,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-1200x848.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-594x420.jpg","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Eternalizing The Covenant","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"We must actively seek: explore, listen, act and never marginalize dissent","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":68261,"alt":"","title":"is55-covenant","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","width":1920,"height":1357,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-300x212.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-768x543.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":543,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-1024x724.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":724,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1086,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1357,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-1200x848.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":848,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-covenant-594x420.jpg","home_baner-width":594,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"370","name":"Divine\/human","old_id":"770"},{"term_id":"395","name":"Covenant","old_id":"795"}]},{"order":7,"id":"68341","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Seeking Connection ","post_title":"Seeking Connection","slug":"seeking-connection","old_id":"68341","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":49926,"post_title":"Binyamin Cohen","slug":"binyamin-cohen","old_id":"49926","first_name":"Binyamin ","last_name":"Cohen ","description":"Binyamin Cohen is a Jewish Studies teacher at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in Deerfield, IL. He completed his Master\u2019s in Jewish Education through Pardes Day School Educators Program in conjunction with Hebrew College. He is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and currently lives in Chicago.","short_description":"Binyamin Cohen is a Jewish Studies teacher at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in Deerfield, IL. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":49927,"alt":"","title":"binyamin cohen","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen.jpg","width":800,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen-240x300.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen-768x960.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":960,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/binyamin-cohen-336x420.jpg","home_baner-width":336,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Especially in times of rupture and disconnect\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

On fast days, we read part of Isaiah 55 (and Isaiah 56) as the haftarah <\/em>at minchah<\/em>. What do these chapters have to do with these fast days?<\/p>\r\n

The main message of the latter half of Isaiah 55 (v.5-13) is that God is eternal and merciful. The prophet tells us to \u201cSeek the LORD while He can be found, Call to Him while He is near\u201d (v.5). When we seek the Lord, the prophet goes on to tell us, we realize that God is so vastly different from us that we cannot possibly understand God. Nevertheless, he reassures us that God will take care of us: \u201cyou shall leave in joy and be led home secure\u201d (v.12).<\/p>\r\n

Most of our fast days commemorate part of the process of the destruction of the Temple. The pain of that loss, that has echoed through the generations, is the pain of disconnection. The loss of the Temple, of God\u2019s House, was ruptured our ability to connect with God. Our physical dispersion and physical oppression led to spiritual exile and spiritual withdrawal.<\/p>\r\n

So, on these fast days, we read the message of the prophet who tells us to nevertheless seek out God. The rupture isn\u2019t permanent, isn\u2019t eternal. It only feels<\/em> like God is far away. Seek out God when God can be found, says the prophet. I can always be found, says God, if only you would seek me out! \u201ccome to me\u201d, says God (v.3). God may feel far away, may be far beyond our understanding, but in this chapter, God reminds us that that doesn\u2019t prevent us from connecting, doesn\u2019t prevent us from seeking God out.<\/p>\r\n

The final verse of the chapter reinforces the hopeful message: \u201cInstead of the brier, a cypress shall rise; Instead of the nettle, a myrtle shall rise.\u201d Our cruel, tangled spiritual exile will end, will be replaced by strong, rooted connection, if only we seek out God. When we do that, \u201cthese shall stand as a testimony to the Lord, as an everlasting sign that shall not perish.\u201d It is by seeking out the connection, by reaching out to that which we do not understand, that we can truly feel the presence of God.<\/p>\r\n

On fast days of all days, the days where we are actively thinking about the historical disconnection and rupture from God, we need to recall this message most of all. When God feels the farthest away, the prophet\u2019s message has the most meaning.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":68342,"alt":"","title":"is55-frayed","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","width":1280,"height":852,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-768x511.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":511,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":852,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":852,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-631x420.jpg","home_baner-width":631,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Seeking Connection","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Especially in times of rupture and disconnect","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":68342,"alt":"","title":"is55-frayed","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","width":1280,"height":852,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-768x511.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":511,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":852,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":852,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/is55-frayed-631x420.jpg","home_baner-width":631,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"459","name":"Forgiveness","old_id":"859"},{"term_id":"581","name":"Mercy","old_id":"981"},{"term_id":"778","name":"Temple","old_id":"1178"}]},{"order":8,"id":"68256","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"2","name":"\u201cHo, All Who are Thirsty, Come for Water\u201d ","post_title":"\u201cHo, All Who are Thirsty, Come for Water\u201d","slug":"ho-all-who-are-thirsty-come-for-water","old_id":"68256","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The necessities of life vs. superficial indulgences\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

Rashi identified the water in v. 1 with Torah, in which interpretation he was followed by Yosef Kara, Ibn Ezra, and Radak. Eliezer of Beaugency understood the water to mean whatever path provided the greatest possibilities of success and S.D. Luzzatto took it as a symbol of the widespread success that would accompany the redemption. Malbim* interpreted it as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The prophets likened Torah and mitzvot to bread and provisions because they sustain the soul just as bread and water nurture the body\u2026 and just as food for the body contains items that one cannot live without them\u2014such as water, which is [obtained] free of charge, and foodstuffs like bread, which much be purchased for money\u2014so it is with ideas and deeds. There are things that one truly cannot live without, such as the belief in the existence of God, His Providence, and [the avoidance of] certain deeds that even civil religion requires, such as murder, robbery, and the like, that resemble water, as well as things that resemble bread, such as the study of Torah and mitzvot and [the performance of] constant mitzvot such as prayer, Shabbat, and the like. Just as in corporeal terms there are things that one can live without and which were created only for the purpose of indulgence and pleasure, so are there soul-foods that pamper the soul, such as intellectual knowledge and all truths that are derived from analysis and mitzvot that promote piety. They resemble wine and milk [or: fat] that are only for pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Malbim\u2019s distinction between the necessities of life and superficial indulgences rings truer in our own time. The relatively high standard of Jewish living has led some parents to indulge their children to the point that there are many who feel so entitled that they show disdain for norms of Jewish physical and spiritual existence for which their not-so-distant ancestors sacrificed so much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

*For the significance of Malbim\u2019s commentary to the Book of Isaiah,<\/span> see our introduction to chapter 1.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n

image by: Ben Schachter<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":68257,"alt":"","title":"Is55-Schachter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","width":854,"height":675,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-300x237.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":237,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-768x607.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":607,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","large-width":854,"large-height":675,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","1536x1536-width":854,"1536x1536-height":675,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","2048x2048-width":854,"2048x2048-height":675,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","post_full_size-width":854,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-531x420.png","home_baner-width":531,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"\u201cHo, All Who are Thirsty, Come for Water\u201d","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The necessities of life vs. superficial indulgences\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":68257,"alt":"","title":"Is55-Schachter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","width":854,"height":675,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-300x237.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":237,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-768x607.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":607,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","large-width":854,"large-height":675,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","1536x1536-width":854,"1536x1536-height":675,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","2048x2048-width":854,"2048x2048-height":675,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter.png","post_full_size-width":854,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Is55-Schachter-531x420.png","home_baner-width":531,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"301","name":"Ben Schachter","old_id":"701"},{"term_id":"410","name":"Torah","old_id":"810"},{"term_id":"415","name":"food","old_id":"815"},{"term_id":"616","name":"Spirit","old_id":"1016"},{"term_id":"804","name":"Need","old_id":"1204"}]},{"order":9,"id":"68245","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Free For All ","post_title":"Free For All","slug":"free-for-all","old_id":"68245","type":"event","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. He has written over twenty books, focusing on such topics as the European novel from the 18th century to the present, contemporary American fiction, and modern Hebrew literature. He has also written extensively on the literary aspects of the Bible. His most recent work is his monumental three volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019 - from which the selections in 929 are taken. ","short_description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, and author of the three-volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":54357,"alt":"","title":"robert alter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","width":184,"height":275,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium-width":184,"medium-height":275,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium_large-width":184,"medium_large-height":275,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","large-width":184,"large-height":275,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","1536x1536-width":184,"1536x1536-height":275,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","2048x2048-width":184,"2048x2048-height":275,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","post_full_size-width":184,"post_full_size-height":275,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","home_baner-width":184,"home_baner-height":275}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"And worth its weight in silver\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

55:1 \u201cOh, every one who thirsts go to the water, and who has no silver, buy food and eat. Go and buy food without silver and at no cost, wine and milk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The water, food, milk, and wine are all metaphorical. What the metaphors suggest is that God\u2019s beneficence to His people will be unstinting and freely given with no price exacted for it. The Hebrew <\/span>kesef<\/span><\/em> is translated as \u201csilver,\u201d not \u201cmoney\u201d as in other versions, because coins were not yet in general usage, and the use of the verb \u201cweigh out\u201d for \u201csilver\u201d in the next verse clearly indicates that what is imagined is silver weights. There is some question about the relation of this chapter to the fifteen preceding chapters of Second Isaiah. Joseph Blenkinsopp thinks that it is by a different hand and that it is intended as a bridge to the rest of the book, which, at least according to scholarly consensus, is the work of still another prophet. The evidence, however, is somewhat tenuous: the supposed stylistic difference of this chapter from the earlier ones are by no means clear-cut, and the claimed affinities with the Book of Proverbs are debatable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, <\/span>The Hebrew Bible<\/span><\/em>, vol. 2: Prophets, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. By permission of the author.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"From Robert Alter's Bible Translation and Commentary","tile_main_caption":"Free For All","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"And worth its weight in silver\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":10,"id":"68010","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Isaiah 55 ","post_title":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Isaiah 55","slug":"sefaria-source-sheets-isaiah-55","old_id":"68010","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42228,"post_title":"Sefaria","slug":"sefaria","old_id":"42228","first_name":"","last_name":"Sefaria","description":"Sefaria is a non-profit organization dedicated to building the future of Jewish learning in an open and participatory way. 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\u201c\u2018Pass the Water, Honey\u2019 Torah and its Liquid Counterparts\u201d<\/a> by Leora Balinsky: Explore metaphors for sacred text.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cShemitah as a Model for Debt Relief\u201d<\/a> by AJWS Staff: What can this Biblical practice imply for modern economics?<\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Source Sheets - Isaiah 55","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":11,"id":"68243","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - Isaiah 55 ","post_title":"Points to Ponder - Isaiah 55","slug":"points-to-ponder-isaiah-55","old_id":"68243","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"389","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    \r\n\t
  1. Expanding the contract - 1<\/em>. 119 chapters (2 Samuel 17) and many years ago, God made a covenant with David and his descendents. Verse 3 here proposes an expansion of that pact, to include the entire nation: \u201cAnd I will make with you an everlasting covenant, The enduring loyalty promised to David.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Expanding the contract - 2<\/em>. Verse 4 broadens the scope of the position of the leader of the House of David. From now on his responsibilities will be international: \u201cI made him a leader of peoples, A prince and commander of peoples.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. A time for <\/span><\/em>chesed, <\/span>lovingkindness.<\/em> Redemption time is a time for closeness, which makes it an ideal time for <\/span>teshuva<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>for repentance. \u201cSeek the LORD while He can be found, Call to Him while He is near\u201d (verse 6). That is in historical time. In the year cycle of the calendar, this verse names \u201cthe days of mercy and forgiveness\u201d from the beginning of the month of Elul until Yom Kippur.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. \u2018Landscaping\u2019 the redemption<\/em>. \u201c\u201dInstead of the brier, a cypress shall rise; Instead of the nettle, a myrtle shall rise\u201d (verse 13). In the redemption garden there are no thorns, only wonderful aromatic plants, and happiness. Come along! All of the Babylonian exiles are invited.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Isaiah 55","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"55","chapter_main_number":"389","date":"20270224","wall_id":"389"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/67755"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}