The haftarah we read this Shabbat carries a quiet but significant story, one that resonates with particular urgency in our embattled world. But to understand it, we must first trace a fascinating thread through centuries of halakhic history.

The Rambam, in his listing of the haftarah readings at the end of his Sefer Ahava in the Mishneh Torah, prescribes that Parshat Acharei Mot be accompanied by a passage from Ezekiel 22, and Parshat Kedoshim by a reading from Ezekiel 20. Both passages are unflinching rebukes against the abominations committed by Israel, opening with the language of judgment: “hatishpot.” In addition, there is a well-established principle governing combined parashiyot: When two are read together on a single Shabbat, the haftarah follows the second parsha – this case, that of Kedoshim: Ezekiel 20.

And yet, the common Ashkenazi practice for this week ignores all the above. For Parshat Acharei Mot, we read a passage from chapter 9 of Amos, beginning “Halo khivnei khushiim,” a selection not even mentioned by the Rambam for either of these parshiyot. And when Acharei Mot and Kedoshim are read together, we still do not follow the general rule of the haftarah following the second parsha – Ezekiel 20. The passage from Amos remains the haftarah that is read.

The passage in question is a beautiful prophecy that combines criticism of Israel’s failings........

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