Day One:
I Samuel 1:1-2:10.
The haftorah for the first day of Rosh Hashanah describes the birth of the prophet Samuel to Elkanah and his wife Chanah who had been childless for many years. This echoes the story discussed in the day's Torah reading, Sarah giving birth to Isaac after many years of childlessness.
During one of her annual pilgrimages to Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle, Chanah tearfully and quietly entreated G‑d to bless her with a son, promising to dedicate him to His service. Eli the High Priest saw her whispering and berated her, thinking that she was a drunkard. After hearing Chanah's explanation, that she had been whispering in prayer, Eli blessed her that G‑d should grant her request.
Chana conceived and gave birth to a son whom she called Shmuel (Samuel). Once the child was weaned, she brought him to Shiloh and entrusted him under the care of Eli.
The haftorah ends with Chanah's prayer, wherein she thanks G‑d for granting her wish, extols G‑d's greatness, exhorts the people not to be haughty nor arrogant, and prophesizes regarding the Messianic Redemption.
Day 2
Jeremiah 31:1-20.
The haftorah for the second day of Rosh Hashanah talks about
G‑d's everlasting love for His people and the future ingathering of their exile.
In the last verse of this hauntingly beautiful haftorah, G-d says, "Is
Ephraim [i.e. the Children of Israel] not My beloved son? Is he not a precious
child that whenever I speak of him I recall him even more?" This follows one of
the primary themes of the Rosh Hashanah prayers, our attempt to induce G-d to
remember us in a positive light on this Day of Judgment.
Jeremiah begins by affirming G‑d's love for the Jewish people. "With
everlasting love I have loved you, therefore I have drawn lovingkindness over
you."
Because of this love, G-d assures His nation that they have a very bright
future awaiting them. "I will yet build you up, then you shall be built forever, O virgin of Israel;
you will yet adorn yourself with your tambourines, and go forth in joyous dance."
Jeremiah then describes the ingathering of the exiles, when all of Israel will
be returned to the Holy Land: "You will again plant vineyards on the hills of
Samaria . . . Behold, I will bring [Israel] from the land of the north and
gather them from the ends of the earth . . . a large assembly will return here.
Weeping with joy they will come, and with compassion I will lead them . . . I will turn their mourning into joy and will
console them and gladden them after their sorrow."
Jeremiah then describes the heavenly scene, where the silence is broken by
the sound of bitter weeping. Our Matriarch Rachel refuses to be consoled, for
her children have been exiled. G‑d responds: "Still your voice from
weeping and your eyes from tears . . . There is hope for your future, the
children shall return to their border."
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