This Week's Hafatarah - Shirat Devorah

וּדְבוֹרָה֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה נְבִיאָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת לַפִּיד֑וֹת הִ֛יא שֹׁפְטָ֥ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא:

Now Devorah was a woman prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth; she judged Israel at that time.

The haftarah for Parshat B'Shalach is from Sefer Shoftim, 4:4-5:31 and is the story of the victory of the judge and military leader Devorah and her general Barak over King Yavin of Canaan. This haftarah serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of leadership and bravery in the face of oppression and adversity.

Devorah, who served as both a judge and a prophetess, was a strong and courageous leader who rallied the Israelites to rise up against the oppressive rule of King Yavin. Despite the odds being against them, Devorah and Barak, with the help of God, led Bnei Yisrael to victory in a decisive battle. This victory serves as a testament to the power of faith and bravery in the face of adversity.

Additionally, the song of Devorah and Barak, which is recorded in the 5th perek of Shoftim, serves as a powerful tribute to the bravery and faith of those who fought for their freedom. The song serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and honoring those who put their lives on the line in service to others.

This haftarah is related to the parsha in several ways. First, their is the obvious parallel of the 2 songs: Az Yashir, the song sung after the splitting of the Red Sea, and Shirat Devorah, the song sung after the victorious battle described in this haftarah. Both songs praise God, and thank God for these miraculous events.

The parsha also describes the liberation of Bnei Yisrael from slavery in Egypt and their journey through the wilderness, while the haftarah tells the story of the victory of Devorah and Barak over King Yavin of Canaan. Both stories deal with themes of liberation, bravery, and leadership in the face of adversity.

In both the parsha and the haftarah, God is depicted as a powerful and loving provider who is always with His people. In the parsha, God provides the Israelites with manna and guides them through the wilderness, while in the haftarah, He provides the Israelites with the strength and courage they needed to defeat their oppressors.

Additionally, the theme of trust and obedience to God is central to both the parsha and the haftarah. In the parsha, the Israelites are called upon to trust in God's provision and guidance, and in the haftarah, Devorah and Barak demonstrate their trust in