June 08, 2024

Talmud Class: Three Life Lessons from The Boffo Ending of Tomorrow's Haftarah from Hosea

29 minutes

One of the best parts of being a rabbi is sitting down with a young couple that has just become engaged and is now beginning the exciting journey of planning their wedding day. That initial conversation always involves the sharing of the proposal story. Almost always there is an element of surprise. One partner does not know it’s coming or coming then. There is usually a photographer hiding in a bush taking pictures or a videographer hiding in a bush capturing the whole thing on video. There is often a room somewhere strewn with roses or flower petals and bottles of champaign. It is not uncommon for the person planning the proposal to have arranged for both sets of parents and siblings to be at a cool restaurant to celebrate.

Betrothal energy is unique, and uniquely beautiful. It happens once, and the couple remembers it forever.

What do we make then of the end of the Haftarah from Hosea:

I will betroth you forever;

I will betroth you with righteousness and justice,

And with goodness and mercy,

And I will betroth you with faithfulness;

Then you shall be devoted to the Lord. (2: 21-22)

These lines of betrothal are part of our daily morning prayer practice. We say them as we wrap tefillin every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Rinse and repeat for our whole lives.

What does it mean that betrothal energy, engagement energy, flower and champagne energy, photographers hiding out in the bushes energy to capture a once in a lifetime moment, is recited every single week day?

For our last class, we focus on three life lessons that flow from turning a once in a lifetime deal to an everyday deal.

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