Guiding Questions: Habakkuk 1

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Is there any identification whatsoever of the time, the place, or the ancestry of Habakkuk?
  2. Habakkuk 1:1 uses the term “massa” — is this another term for vision? For prophecy? For pronouncement?
  3. What is the plaint of the prophet to the Divine?
  4. Does Habakkuk 1:3 inquire as to why God is “inactive”?
  5. What, according to the prophet, is the consequence of the prevalence of violence and “evil-doing”?
  6. Habakkuk 1:5 appears to be an answer from God; it continues in verse 6; what is the Divine about to do?
  7. And will the force aroused by this action be potent and overwhelming?
  8. But, if called upon to “do away with evil” how, then, explain Habakkuk 1:11?
  9. Does Habakkuk 1:12 indicate that the prophet is affirming that the Chaldeans were to be “an instrument of God” but that presently the instrument, having become vile,would then, itself, be destroyed?
  10. According to Habakkuk 1:13 can the Divine “tolerate” injustice and — if it cannot, what is the question that the prophet asks?
  11. Does the chapter end with a resolution of this seeming tension between the nature of Divinity and the prophet’s description of Divine action?

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

    View all posts

Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

Share This Post

Exploring Judaism Recent Posts

Find meaning in your inbox.

Subscribe to receive our latest content by email.

We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Got questions?