when Nizavim and Vayelech are divided
[Hosea, 14:2–10; Micah, 7:18–20]
[When these two portions are read together, the Haftorah from Nizavim is read. When Shabbat Shuvah occurs, the following Haftorah is read. “Return O Israel, to the Lord your God” [Hosea, 14:2]. This haftorah is also found in Vayishlach.1Genesis, 32:4–36:43. Read it until “stumble on them” [Hosea, 14:10] and then begin here.]2Shabbat Shuvah is the Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Regardless of which Torah portion is being read, the Haftorah that is read is always “Return O Israel.”
“Who is like You, forgiving iniquity, etc.” [Micah, 7:18]. The prophet said: who is a God that forgives the transgressions of the remnant, in the days of the Messiah.
“Who has not maintained His wrath forever” [7:18]. How just it would have been that these evildoers did not go out of the exile because of their transgressions that they are full of, but God’s wrath is not long lasting and desires to do lovingkindness.
“He will take us back in love; He will cover up our iniquities, etc.” [7:18]. He will return to us, to have mercy on us. He will push our transgressions into the ground and throw our transgressions into the depths of the sea, so that they should not be seen anymore.
“You will keep faith with Jacob, loyalty to Abraham, etc.” [7:20]. The Holy One who has promised lovingkindness to Abraham, to give the land to him and his children. Therefore, because [the children of] Jacob are the children of Abraham, He must give the land to [the children of] Jacob. Therefore, he says truth concerning Jacob. That is to say, with truth He must give the land to the children of Jacob, because He promised to do lovingkindness with Abraham. God is a God of truth and His words will not be empty. God, be blessed, has promised all three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them the land of Israel.3Radak, Micah, 7:20.
[When Ha’azinu is Shabbat Shuvah, and this Haftorah is read, the following passage is added to this Haftorah.]
[Joel, 2:15–2:26]
“Blow a shofar in Zion, sanctify, etc.” [2:15]. The prophet said: blow the shofar in Zion, prepare yourself to fast and call an assembly to support each other.
“Gather the people, bid the congregation to purify themselves, etc.” [2:16]. The prophet awakened Israel that they should take repentance to heart. That is why he said: assemble the old and the young. Those feeding at the breast should not feed now. The groom who used to drink with his bride should also fast and similarly; one directly from the wedding should fast.
“Between the portico and the altar, let the priests weep, etc.” [2:17]. The prophet said that the priests should weep and shout in the Temple where they do the service and bring the sacrifices. Now they should cry and pray and should say, “spare.” That is to say, Holy One have compassion on your people and do not disgrace your people that the nations should have dominion over them and why should the nations say to Israel, where is your God?
“The Lord was roused on behalf of His land and had compassion upon His people” [2:18]. The prophet said that when Israel will pray and repent, then the Holy One will certainly take revenge on the foreigners for the sake of His holy land and will have compassion on His people Israel.
“In response to His people the Lord declared: I will grant you, etc.” [2:19]. The Holy One responds to those who pray to Him and call on Him. He says to His people: I will give you grain and new wine and oil and will no longer tolerate disgraces from the foreigners.
“I will drive the northerners far from you, etc.” [2:20]. The Holy One says. I will remove the locusts from you. They will not eat up your grain. They will all have to die. It will stink and the stench will rise. There are many locusts and they have done much harm to the land.
Our sages say about the verse “the northerners.” That is the evil inclination that is hidden in the hearts of people. He does not show himself to the person. When the Messiah will come, the Holy One will remove him from Israel and will banish him very far from the people, where the world is desolate. “With his face toward the eastern sea” [2:20]. The evil inclination set his face against the first Temple and destroyed both of them through transgressions. “The stench shall rise” [2:20]. It killed the sages and allowed the nations of the world to continue to do everything to incite against Israel. “Because He has done great things” [2:20]. The evil inclination caused the most problems for the sages in enticing them.4B. Sukkah, 52a; Yalkut Shimoni, Joel, Remez 535.
“Fear not, O soil, rejoice and be glad, etc.” [2:21]. The land of Israel, and the people who live in it should not fear. The Holy One will do many favors, in contrast to the locusts that did much damage.
“Fear not O beasts of the field, for the pastures in the wilderness, etc.” [2:22]. You should not fear for the animals in the field. There will be enough grass in the wilderness. The trees will grow and the vines will give their fruit.
“O children of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, etc.” [2:23]. You children of Zion, rejoice with God, who will give you good rain. The Holy One will forgive your transgressions and will remember you with good rain in its time, in Marheshvan.5Rashi, Joel, 2:23.
“And the threshing floors will be filled, etc.” [2:24] The Holy One will give you enough grain so that all barns will be full and the cellars will be full of wine and oil.
“I will repay you for the years, etc.” [2:25]. I will repay you for the years that you were hungry when the locusts ate everything; the locusts, a large nation that I previously sent to you.
“You shall eat your fill and praise the name of the Lord, your God” [2:26]. You will eat and be satiated and you will praise God, who has done wonders with you. The Holy One will pay you with so much grain as used to grow in four year, for there will be a famine for four years in the days of the Messiah. Israel were shamed among foreigners because of great hunger, but now, says God, you will never again be shamed.6Targum Jonathan, Joel, 2:26.