Summary of The Haftorah:
Around the year 2790 - 971 b.c.e., the Bnai Yisroel were subject to the
rule of the Pilishtim. In the year 2810 - 951, Shimshon became the Judge -
Shofet of the nation and served his people as both their greatest Tzadik
and greatest warrior. This week's Haftorah tells the story of Manoach and
his wife, the parents of Shimshon (Shoftim Cap. 13).
Manoach's wife was barren, and in response to her Tefilos, Hashem sent an
Angel, disguised as a man, to tell Manoach's wife of her impending
pregnancy. The child would have to be a Nazir from the moment of his
conception, and he would grow up to save the Jews from their enemies.
Manoach requested from Hashem that the "man" appear a second time, and the
Angel appeared a second time. The same instructions were repeated to both
Manoach and his wife, after which Manoach invited the "man" to join them
for a meal. The "man" refused the invitation but suggested to Manoach that
he offer a Korban to Hashem. Manoach did so, and as the flame rose to
consume the offering, the "man" entered the flames and disappeared. Manoach
and his wife then realized that the "man" was really an Angel, and
understood the divine significance of their, yet to be born, child.
The connection to our Parsha is the fact that Shimshon was to be a Nazir.
The commentaries explain that in contrast to the laws of the Sotah - the
accused adulteress, it was the merit of Manoach's wife which brought about
the birth of Shimshon.
Shimshon is among the most difficult figures in Jewish history to
understand. For a comprehensive presentation and explanation see, "Samson's
Struggle", by Rabbi Gershon Weiss.