The Moral Temple
From the Haftorah Series
5 Lectures

While the Torah readings of the beginning parshiyot of Vayikra deal with the halachic, legal and technical aspects of the Temple service and its attendant sacrifices, the Haftarot, the words of the immortal prophets of Israel deal with its equally important moral and social aspects. The prophets decried those who brought animal sacrifices for the sake of those sacrifices alone. They viewed such behavior as akin to the paganism that the prophets so ridiculed and despised. The Temple could not be built by instruments, tools and people of war. It was the symbol of peace, harmony and universal goodness. Thus the true physical and spiritual Temple and its service is an assertive affirmation in faith in God and the value system of His Torah. The words of the Haftorot are therefore the message to all generations even in the absence of the physical Temple.