Shabbat Shalom - Parshas Vayeishev

Shabbos Vayeishev

Shabbos Chanukah - First Candle

Miracle of Miracles

Some interesting thoughts on Chanukah

The Secret of Chanuka as Revealed by

the Prophecies of Chaggai and Zekharia

By Rav Yoel Bin-Nun

full article here

“I was drawn to explore these prophecies in greater depth when I once happened to notice that it was on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Kislev) in the second year of the reign of Darius, that Chaggai began uttering his prophecy concerning the laying of the foundation of God’s Sanctuary. In other words, many generations before the Hasmonean’s rededication of the Temple, the 24th (or rather, the 25th, as we shall see) of Kislev was the day of laying the foundation of the God’s Sanctuary! Is there some connection here? How could there not be? Is it possible that no one, throughout all the centuries since then, was aware of Chaggai’s prophecy? And if it was noted, why was it never mentioned in relation to Chanuka?”

24th of Kislev – “Now ask instruction of the kohanim, saying”

On the 24th day of the ninth month (Kislev), Chaggai returns to the problem he addressed earlier – the lack of desire to arise and build God’s House, owing to the fact that everyone is busy with his own affairs. This is the reason why God has brought the drought: in order to awaken them and draw them out of their self-absorbed focus on their private prosperity.