This week features an exceptionally rare occurrence on the Jewish calendar: the actual Haftarah of Miketz will be read. Generally, Parshat Miketz falls either as one of two Shabbasos Chanukah or as the only one. In order for it to occur, Rosh Hashanah would have to begin on Shabbos and the months of Marcheshvan and Kislev would have to have 29 days each, leading Miketz to fall after Chanukah. The last time this happened was in 5781; the next time it will occur is in 5796! The actual Haftarah of Miketz is only read about 10% of the time, making it the third rarest haftarah; according to Chabad practice, it is the rarest haftarah, being read approximately once every 20 years! In years when Chanukah begins on Friday, there are other unique features- the fast of 10 Tevet is also on Friday (as it is next week), and Pesach next year (5785) will begin on Motzei Shabbat.
It should be noted that there are two other exceedingly rare haftarot- the actual haftarah for Tazria, which is usually a double parsha (in which case the haftarah of the second parsha is read) or a special Shabbat, like Parshat HaChodesh and/or Rosh Chodesh. On average, this Haftarah is read once every six years, but in practice, it hasn’t been read since 5763 (2003). The rarest haftarah is that of Kedoshim, taking from the book of Yechezkel and talking about God meting out judgment against Jerusalem. On average, this haftarah is read once every 17 years! It was read in 5733 (1973) and in 1997. The next time it will be read is in 2041 (the practice of the Yerushlami Ashkenazic community is never to read this haftarah, ever). What is remarkable is that all three of these haftarot are read this year, 5784! For more on this, see here.
This week’s Haftarah tells the famous story of the judgment of Solomon. All this is to encourage everyone to come to shul this Shabbos! It would be a shame to miss the haftarah by being late, or by leaving shul for other reasons…I will be speaking about the haftarah, and why, despite its rarity, it is especially relevant that we read it this year.
Rabbi’s Recommendations:
1) Many of you commented on how much you enjoyed the video of Hallel led by Yitzchak Meir at the shul in Kibbutz Be’eri. Here is a video of him leading Hallel on Chanukah in the shul at Kibbutz Reim, which was the closest one to the Nova music festival and which was massacred on Simchat Torah.
Last week’s MSOTW featured the legendary Cantor Robert Frankel, who served Khal Adath Jeshurun (known as Breuer’s) in Washington Heights, Manhattan for 40 years until his retirement in 1989. KAJ is the flagship shul of the German Jewish community (the “Yekkes”); changing demographics and real estate prices have led to a serious decline in the membership of the original congregation, though many members who have moved to other communities return for sopec though many satellite congregations have been formed and other shuls created to perpetuate the venerable Minhag Ashkenaz.
Here is a picture of the sanctuary, decorated for Shavuot:
Mystery Shul of the Week:
This remarkable shul was built in modern times, and decorated with an ancient technique. Name the shul, and the decoration style. Extra points if you identify the inspiration for this design.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
