What is the Haftarah?

Understanding a Central Element of the Shabbat and Holiday Service

The Haftarah: Definition and Significance

im (נְבִיאִים, Nevi

signifying that it comes after the completion of the Torah reading.

The Haftarah holds a cherished place in Jewish tradition, connecting the weekly Torah portion (parashat hashavua, פָּרָשַׁת הַשָּׁבוּעַ) with the themes found in the later Prophetic books. Typically, the content of each Haftarah echoes, complements, or reflects themes found in the Torah portion just read, creating a dialogue across the sacred texts of Judaism.

By reciting selections from the Prophets, the community is reminded that the covenant between God and Israel continues throughout history—not only in the foundational events of the Torah but also in subsequent generations, as spoken by the prophets.

Historical and Textual Origins

The precise origins of the Haftarah are debated among scholars, but traditional Jewish sources paint a vivid picture of its ancient roots. The earliest written indications of the practice appear in the Talmud.

Talmudic Reference:

In Masechet Megillah 23a, the Sages discuss the public reading of the Torah and Haftarah, stating:

קורין בתורה ומפטירין בנביא

Translation: Kor'in batorah umaphtirin banavi'

Translation: One reads from the Torah and concludes [the reading] with [a section from] the Prophets.

(Megillah 23a)

Translation: The Talmud tells us that reading from the Prophets developed as a supplement to the Torah reading, particularly during times of persecution:

According to tractate Megillah 9a, there was a period when Jewish authorities were forbidden to read the Torah publicly by hostile foreign powers (often understood to be during Greek rule before the Hasmonean revolt). To preserve communal study, public readings from the Prophets—which were not banned—were instituted as a substitute. When the restriction was lifted, both Torah and Haftarah readings remained as part of the service.

Additional Source:

The medieval commentator Rashi explains on this passage in Megillah:

תקנו שיהיו קורין בנביא במקום תורה, וכשבטלה הגזירה התקינו שיקראו בנביא אחר התורה לזכר אותו צרה.

Translation: They enacted [the reading] of the Prophets instead of the Torah, and when the decree was annulled, they ordained that [we] read from the Prophets after the Torah, to remember that calamity.

(Rashi on Megillah 23a)

Translation: Thus, the Haftarah reading serves both as an act of remembrance and as enduring testimony to the resilience and creativity of Jewish tradition.

Key Concepts, Laws, and Practices

1. The Selection of the Haftarah

Av (תשעה באב, Tishah be

follow, each drawn from Isaiah.

2. Ritual Practice and Blessings

). After an aliyah (ascent) to the Torah, the maftir reads both a concluding section of the Torah and the Haftarah from the Prophets. The reading is followed by a series of special blessings.

The opening blessing before the Haftarah, found in the siddur (סִידּוּר, prayer book), gives thanks for the prophets and the message they bring. The text reads:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה', אֱ־לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בִּנְבִיאִים טוֹבִים וְרָצָה בְּדִבְרֵיהֶם הַנֶּאֱמָרִים בֶּאֱמֶת.

Translation: Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haOlam, asher bachar bin'vi'im tovim ve'ratzah b'divreihem hane'emarim be'emet.

Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has chosen good prophets and was pleased with their words spoken in truth.

After the Haftarah, additional blessings are recited, including prayers for the wellbeing of the nation, the prophets, and all the righteous. On festivals, special insertions reflect the significance of the day.

3. Customs and Variations

Different Jewish communities—the Ashkenazim (אַשְׁכְּנָזִים, Ashkenazim; Jews of Central/Eastern European heritage), Sephardim (סְפָרַדִּים, Sephardim; Jews of Spanish/Middle Eastern heritage), and others—maintain varying customs with respect to which Haftarah is read and how it is chanted. The melodies (טעמים, te'amim) vary widely among communities, contributing to a rich diversity of liturgical expression.

4. The Role of the Haftarah in Bar/Bat Mitzvah

For many, reading the Haftarah with its distinctive melody is a central component of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony, providing a link to Jewish tradition and offering an opportunity to participate actively in public worship.

The Haftarah's Relevance in Jewish Life Today

The Haftarah continues to play a vital role in synagogue life across denominations, including Orthodox, Conservative (Masorti), Reform, and Reconstructionist communities. Even with the full freedom to read Torah, the Haftarah persists as a celebration of the prophetic voice in Judaism—highlighting themes of justice, repentance, hope, and redemption that remain urgent and relevant.

Through the words of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, the Haftarah reminds listeners each week of the ongoing dialogue between God and Israel, calling the community to strive for a world imbued with compassion, integrity, and faith.

Its unique melodies and blessings evoke a sense of communal continuity—whether chanted in Jerusalem, New York, or Buenos Aires, the sound of the Haftarah links Jews across time and space, nurturing Jewish identity and spiritual memory.

As it is said in the Haftarah blessing:

וְכֵן יִהִי חָסְדֶּךָ ה' אֱ־לֹהֵינוּ עָלֵינוּ, אַל תַּעֲזְבֵנוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

Translation: Ve'ken yehi chasdecha Adonai Eloheinu aleinu, al ta'azvenu le'olam va'ed.

Translation: So may Your mercy, Lord our God, be upon us; may You never abandon us, forever and ever.

With every cycle of reading, the Haftarah continues to inspire, challenge, and comfort—signifying Judaism's enduring faith in the power of sacred words to shape and uplift the community.