Huldah

Impression of Rabbi Yael Splansky

Rabbi Yael Splansky, Senior Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple, currently serves as President of the Toronto Board of Rabbis, on the Beit Din of the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto, and on the President’s Rabbinic Council of HUC-JIR. She is a Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute and editor of Siddur Pirchei Kodesh. Rabbi Splansky received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for her commitment to refugee relief, support and advocacy for the unhoused, and building bridges among faith communities. She is a fourth-generation Reform Rabbi.  

Huldah was a prophetic oracle and preacher (640-610BCE). At the time, the city of Judea was in turmoil, both from outside and within. Judea was surrounded and threatened by invasion by nearby Egypt and Assyria. Huldah encouraged King Josiah to place his truth in the one God, the God of Israel, as a strategy to overcome external threat. She acted as a conduit between God and King Josiah. As advisor, she reinforced Judaic Laws, especially against idol worship, which Josiah’s father and grandfather had reintroduced to the kingdom. Priests and kings listened to Huldah.