2SDAY NOONS WITH 2 ISAIAH: a drop-in discussion group
Tuesdays, noon -1PM  October 1 to June 3

Isaiah (YeshaYahu) is the most-quoted prophetic book in the Bible, by Jews and Christians. But there were TWO (or more!) prophets named Isaiah! One lived in Jerusalem when the Kingdom of Israel, in the north, was destroyed in 721BCE. His book is chapters 1-39, and prophecies that there will be an Exile. Chapters 40-66 were written by a 2nd Isaiah living in Babylon 200 years later, who urged his people to "return" to their land at the end of the Exile.

            This 2nd Isaiah's book is used as a Haftarah (a prophet's text read following a Torah portion) 14 times, including Yom Kippur morning, and seven Haftarot in a row between the annual commemoration of the Destruction of the Temple (Fast of the 9th of Av) and Rosh haShanah. There are only 5 Haftarot from the rest of Isaiah!

            We will explore those 14 Haftarot to see what the rabbis who selected them might have meant by choosing them for the days they accompany. We'll also look at what 2nd Isaiah might have been saying to his contemporaries. Of course, the vivid imagery in Isaiah will evoke unexpected things in us as well, 2500 years & thousands more miles away from his life.

Each week we will catch you up on what happened the week before, then move on further into Isaiah. Feel free to bring your lunch. Coffee, tea, and lemonade will be provided.