Haf. Vayeira (2 Kings 4:1-37)
Join Beth Tikkun as we continue our study of the Haftarah portions for the 2013-14 Torah cycle. In this teaching we consider the lives of four amazing women in the Bible whose lives are connected in extraordinary and puzzling ways. We also discover some things about ourselves as we focus on Elisha’s servant, Gehazi.
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2 Comments
by Charlotte Gunther
On October 23, 2013
every time i read this story i wonder about the Shunamite’s statement that she lives among her own people. could it be that she was not from Israel? could it be that she is a picture of “the nations”? the ones drawn to the Jewish Messiah?
by L. Grant Luton
On October 23, 2013
Charlotte, Thanks for your question. The Shunamite woman’s reply “I dwell among my people” seems an odd answer to the question asked by Elisha. The background is this. When he asked if she would like for him to speak to “the king or the army commander” on her behalf, his assumption was that as a wealthy woman she probably had dealings with the government and might appreciate an endorsement from the prophet. When she replied, “I dwell among my people” she implied that her relatives were well-to-do and were able to provide all the security she needed. She had no need for the prophet to intercede for her. I hope this helps a little with this otherwise cryptic conversation. Shalom, Grant