THE main issue of this week’s “parasha” (weekly Torah portion) is the story of the Golden Calf. That is why today’s “Haftarah” (weekly Prophet’s portion) is strongly connected to that matter and tells us about the confrontation between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Ba’al on Mount Carmel, as recorded in the Book of 1 Kings, Chapter 18. Every Hebrew speaker knows by heart the words of Elijah at the beginning of this confrontation:
“How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)
The reason is because of Elijah’s words ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions?’ and in Hebrew: “Ad Matai Atem Posechim Al Shetei Ha-se’eepim?’ “עַד מָתַי אַתֶּם פֹּסְחִים עַל שְׁתֵּי הַסְּעִפִּים”
This has become one of the most well-known Hebrew phrases which is used to describe a situation of ‘trying to do two things that do not fit tougher’.
This week ‘Haftara’ (weekly Prophets’ portion) ends with the following powerful statement that sums it all up and demonstrates a clear lesson regarding both the episode of the Golden Calf and the false prophets of Ba’al: “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.” (1 Kings 18:39).