Biblical Prophetic Passages - “Haftaroth” / “הפטרות“ and Its Georgian Version

Abstract

After the massive “aliyah” (repatriation) of Georgian Jews to Israel, which began in the 1970s, numerous Georgian-language publications were released in Israel, including periodicals, fiction, scientific literature, and journalistic as well as genre-specific materials. These were processed within the framework of a three-year research project, resulting in the creation of an annotated bibliography of printed publications. The project included genre classification and literary-linguistic analysis. 

Considering that the life of any Jew was always and everywhere regulated by religious customs, religion serves as the foundation for their survival and existence. Therefore, a significant emphasis was placed on discussing works of a religious nature within the study material.

Following repatriation, Georgian Jews, characterized by a high level of religious self-awareness, continued to show an interest in religious books while preserving their traditions. They published collections on various topics, including prophetic passages, information on basic Torah issues, profiles of prominent rabbis in the Georgian Jewish community, basic prayers in Hebrew, translations of prayers and mitzvot, the rules of Halakhah (שֻׁלְחָן עָרוּךְ) in Georgian, teachings on Judaism in modern conditions, its attributes and theology, and most importantly, new translations of the books of the Bible.

A significant contribution to the field of religious studies is made by the philosophical researcher and translator Shalom David, who has published works on Jewish-Kabbalist philosophy, translations of canonical prayers, books of the Bible, and the collection “Haftaroth” from Hebrew into Georgian.

Despite the substantial religious significance and practice, many Jewish communities do not have a translation of the “Haftaroth.” However, this collection by Shalom David stands out and occupies an honorable place among the publications of the Georgian-language religious literature in Israel. This article examines and characterizes the Georgian version of the “Haftaroth” and highlights its significance and substantial role in the religious life of Georgian Jews.

In Jewish liturgy, the “Haftara” is a ritual of great importance. To emphasize its significance, the article first discusses, in general terms, the nature, purpose, and history of this religious ritual, the relationship of the reading material to the Torah, the rules of reading, and other important issues related to this topic. It then explores how this essential ritual is reflected among Georgian Jews.