Hoshea's Initiation: Go to a Prostitute

The initiation of Hoshea was unlike that of any other prophet. Yeshayahu was touched by God on his tongue; for Yirmiyahu, it was a seraph placing a burning coal on his mouth after he besmirched the Jewish peoplel and Yehezkel was asked to eat a scroll of elegies and dirges, which fittingly tasted like honey in his mouth. Hoshea was told: Go marry a whore. 

Not just that - have kids with her, and name them after the fate of your people. First, "Yizrael," I will re-plant the seed of Israel, then "Lo Ruhama," I will not have mercy on her, and then, "Lo ami," she will no logner be my nation. 

The story unfolds with the prostitute, after becoming Hoshea's lawfully wedded wife, then seeking paramours elsewhere, venally bribed and enticed by the comfort offered by other men. 

Hoshea lambasts her, alegorically, Hashem lambasting his nation for their unfaithfulness and licentiousness, but then, after she seeks out greener pastures - and fails to find them - is beckoned anew by Hoshea, for he misses her embrace too much. That is Hashem's answer to Hoshea who asks why Hashem would want such an unfaithful people. 

The answer - I miss her. I love her. I care about her. 

I remember says Hashem, the yearning I felt for her when we first met, that longing, and care and tenderness, and I want to return to that state forever, because she is mine and was meant for me. 

A very strong parable about how any relationship can be repaired, resolved and created anew, with the longing in the end, becoming mutual, perfectly symbiotic, the love of oneness and unity of purpose circumventing and transplanting the prior fear and awe the woman once felt under the husband's watchful and intimidating gaze. 

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