The Haftarah portion for Shabbat Zakhor (1 Sam. 15:1-34) (Sephardi) narrated in English by Ronald Guttman.
Questions for Discussion:
Initially it seems that God rejects King Saul for his deviation from God’s instructions, even though Saul’s intention was to serve God. Later, it emerges that King Saul was motivated not by his genuine sense that God would desire this change; rather he was “afraid of the troops” and “yielded” to them.
• When have you allowed peer pressure or group-think to cause you to compromise on what you know to be right?
• Have you defended your actions as well-intentioned, or in the service of a greater good?
• How can we do better in the future?

JTS wishes to acknowledge the generosity of the Jewish Publication Society for allowing us to use their translation.