Rav Pam on Haftaros

He was called by some "The Chofetz Chaim of our day." Rav Avrohom Pam zt'l was a brilliant talmid chacham, a master educator, possessor of a quiet and gentle determination that touched, and often changed, the lives of thousands of Jews. Rabbi Sholom Smith, a devoted talmid of Rav Pam's for 21 years, amassed some 2,000 pages of notes and 600 tapes of his rebbe's shiurim, which became the basis of his popular books on Rav Pam's insights. Here, he shares Rav Pam's teachings on the haftaros, the weekly readings which so many of us listen to, hardly comprehending either their holy words or their timely, contemporary messages. Each entry begins with a short summary and background of the haftarah and an explanation of its connection to the parashah. Then Rabbi Smith shares Rav Pam's explanation or understanding of some aspect of the haftarah. Rav Pam had a unique way of combining the messages of the Torah with a deep understanding of human nature, interpersonal relationships, and the many factors necessary to make a human being into that indefinable entity- a "mensch." The haftarah of Parashas Chayei Sarah teaches us a lesson in dealing with rebellious teens; the navi Yeshayah's words in the haftarah of Parashas Vayikra show us how to deal with charity in financially turbulent times. Rav Pam on the Haftaros will give us a weekly burst of spiritual energy, as we "hear" his sweet, beloved voice guiding us through the challenges of life with the eternal wisdom of Torah.