Haggai's Prophecies

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  1. Haggai 1-2

    Matan Al Haperek

    Rabbi David Sabato

    Chaggai is the first prophet of the three prophets of the Second Temple – Chaggai, Zechariah and Malachi- who are called the “latter prophets”. The prophecies of Chaggai which are included in the book were all said in the second year of Daryavesh’s reign, eighteen years after the decree of Koresh (520 BCE), in the very short time period of 4 months (from the first of Elul to the 24th of Kislev).

    The prophecies mainly revolve around the building of the Second Temple. The picture that arises from these prophecies is gloomy, due to the difference between the enthusiasm and great vision and the expectation of redemption which those who returned to Zion felt, and the harsh reality with which they were dealing. Chaggai is faced with the problems of the people’s despair and their lack of motivation to rebuild the Temple, and seeks to give them hope and desire despite the difficult reality in the Land of Israel. His prophecies turn to the people and their leaders- Zerubavel ben Shealtiel, the governor appointed by the Persian government, and Yehoshua ben Yehotzadak the high priest.

    The book comprises four prophecies which can be divided into two pairs. In the first pair, which includes the first prophecy, (perek 1) and the second prophecy (2:1-9), Chaggai deals with the problems which thwarted the building of the Temple and seeks to inspire the nation to build. The third (2:10-19) and fourth (2:20-23) prophecies were said on the same day and they parallel the first two prophecies. 

  2. Haggai: The Practical Prophet

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    As opposed to many other prophets, Haggai describes no visions. Instead, he conveys a plain, clear message to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash. This stands in sharp contrast to Haggai’s colleague Zekharia who witnesses numerous visions conveying obscure meanings. Zekharia writes in poetry, Haggai in prose. For this reason, Haggai is called “the Navi” - God’s mouthpiece.

    Haggai tells the people that if they abandon the building of God’s house, they cannot expect material comfort and success in their own homes. Whereas most prophets emphasize personal repentance from moral shortcomings, Haggai calls for a national return to the task of rebuilding the Temple.

    The disparity in message between Haggai and earlier prophets – Haggai being a more practical book with more modest aims and a relatively upbeat message – is reinforced by another key distinction: the people actually obey Haggai’s prophecy! Precisely because Haggai’s message was more specific and optimistic, less radical and cataclysmic, his message was more readily embraced by the people than the doomsday scenarios prognosticated by his predecessors.

  3. Haggai Redoubles His Efforts

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Haggai once again exhorts the community to remain committed to the building process. Although they had obeyed his first prophecy, they had apparently become discouraged yet again. The prophet conveys a similar message, if one more specifically directed at the Shivat Tziyyon period: Although things might presently appear grim, ultimately a transformation will occur, and the Second Temple’s glory will outstrip even that of the First.

    By comparing the present reality to the Exodus from Egypt, Haggai reinforces just how radical is the transformation he anticipates. During the period of the Jewish enslavement in Egypt, the notion that the impoverished slave nation would suddenly take possession of their captors’ riches would have seemed utterly implausible. Much the same, argues Haggai implicitly, may be said for the metamorphosis he foresees.

    There is, then, a straightforward literary structure to Sefer Haggai. The simplicity of the book’s design mirrors the directness of the prophet’s message. Anxiety about agricultural yield increases the peoples’ motivation to follow Haggai’s charge. Haggai’s succeeds in ultimately setting the reconstruction project back on its footing. By single-mindedly urging the people again and again to focus on one task, he ultimately achieves what he sets out to accomplish.

  4. Haggai: Spotlight on the Twelve Prophets

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

  5. Sefer Haggai: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 23 minutes

    Haggai is book #10 of the Trei Assar, and it kicks off the Persian Period.

     

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.