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at The 92nd Street Y, New York. Supported by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
Nov 09, 2000
Professor Wiesel examines the bizarre story of Hosea, tasked by God to wed a prostitute. He explains that Hosea was the first prophet to speak of the relationship between God and the people of Israel as a marriage. Hosea was ordered to replicate in his private life how the people of Israel were treating God in public. Professor Wiesel locates the key to this tale in the word teshuva. Hosea and his wife are reconciled, as are God and Israel. Professor Wiesel teaches us that in Jewish history, no breakup is eternal and that the words we recite every weekday morning of God’s promise to Israel “And I shall betroth thee forever” come from Hosea’s book.
Explore The Book of Hosea on Sefaria, a living library of Torah.
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