Isaiah 61:10-63:9
This week's haftorah is the seventh and final installment of a series of seven "Haftarot of Consolation." These seven haftarot commence on the Shabbat following Tisha b'Av and continue until Rosh Hashanah.
The prophet begins on a high note, describing the great joy that we will experience with the Final Redemption, comparing it to the joy of a newly married couple.
Isaiah than declares his refusal to passively await the Redemption: "For Zion's sake I will not remain silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be still, until her righteousness emerges like shining light..." He implores the stones of Jerusalem not to be silent, day or night, until G‑d restores Jerusalem and establishes it in glory.
The haftorah then recounts G-d's oath to eventually redeem Zion, when the Jews will praise G-d in Jerusalem. The haftorah also contains a description of the punishment G‑d will mete out to Edom and the enemies of Israel.
Isaiah concludes with the famous statement:
"In all [Israel's] afflictions, He, too, is afflicted, and the angel of His presence redeemed them..."
Like a loving father who shares the pain of his child, G-d, too, shares the pain of His people, and awaits the redemption along with them.
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