I wrote this week's column, and for the "unique aspect" I noted the death of King Uziahu, and its message for us:
The message in our haftorah dates itself to "the year
of the death of King Uziahu." (Yeshayah 6:1) What
was the significance of the death of this king, in relation to Yeshayah's
vision?
Divrei haYamim II 26 describes Uziahu as a righteous king of
Yehudah, the southern Jewish kingdom. He sought out G-d, battled the foes of
the Jews, and built up the city of Yerushalayim. However, Divrei haYamim continues
to describe him as becoming arrogant in his success, to the point that he
sought to bring incense upon the altar himself, despite the fact that he was
not a kohen. Tzaraat broke out upon his forehead, and he left the Beit
haMikdash in shame.
Amos 1:1 and Zecharyah 14:5 make reference to an earthquake
which occurred in the time of King Uziahu. Bringing in midrashic passages (see
Seder Olam Rabbah 20, Radak Amos 1:1 and Rashi Yeshayah 6:1, for example), the
earthquake, the tzaraat, and the death of King Uziahu are all referenced at the start of our haftorah.
At this time, when one of our greatest kings overreached in
his arrogance, violated the sacred space of the Beit haMikdash, and was
punished, Hashem showed the prophet Yeshayah a vision of His throne room. Gd then warned
Yeshayah, and through him the Jewish nation, of the impending devastation at
the hands of the Babylonian Empire. The link between Uziahu's death and Yeshayah's message is clear: Without proper leadership, our chances for
repentance and growth are slim indeed.
Although, if I remember correctly, that wasn't exactly when Uzziah died. There is a contradiction between Melachim and Divrei HaYamim and it is explained that he lived for some time after but was removed from his kingly office because of the tzara'as and was therefore considered as if he were dead.
ReplyDeleteThus the message could also be: a temporal king can't be sure he'll rule until he dies, unlike the King o' Kings.
I hear, Garnel. Duly edited. Thanks.
ReplyDelete