Malachi 1:1-2:7

This week’s Haftorah mirrors the parshah’s main characters, Jacob and Esau. We hear an affirmation of love for Jacob’s children and a promise of retribution to the house of Esau. Quite specifically Esau’s mountains made “desolate and his heritage into a habitat for jackals.”

Then we see something we wouldn’t think typical for a holy text, a reproach of the priesthood for offering up sick or lame animals to the sacrifice. Not just because that’s kind of a smack in the face as far as sacrifice goes, but there also seems to be a reference to some of the rules of Kashrut in what kind and how animals are permitted to be slaughtered.

“And you say, ‘here is a weary one,’ and you cause it pain, says the Lord of Hosts. And you brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame and the sick. And you bring an offering—will I [Read more…]