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Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

In Those Days at

THIS TIME

et us set the scene. The Proof of their fulfilling these prophecies of G-d’s promises, they demonstrated
Hasmoneans are living in the may be evident in their assuming that the source of their strength was
L second century BCE under the rights of monarchy as promised the Divine spirit, represented by
Seleucid rule. Although there is a to Zerubavel. Even greater proof the Menorah. (Indeed, the Menorah
Mikdash, it is not nearly as magnificent is their rebuilding of the altar and still serves as the symbol of Israel’s
as King Solomon’s was, and Antiochus re-inauguration of the Temple on the government and sovereignty today!)
Epiphanes has transformed it into a anniversary of Chaggai’s prophecy – the
pagan temple! Chaggai and Zechariah, 24th of Kislev! 1 That is why we celebrate Chanukah on
the prophets of 520 BCE, had foretold the 25th of Kislev, commemorating the
of a beautiful Temple and a Divinely- However, the Hasmoneans did not miracle of the military victory and the
guided political apocalypse that would just rededicate the altar as Chaggai eight-day rededication of the Temple
place the ruling empires at Israel’s mercy. had implored in his Kislev prophecy. on the anniversary of Chaggai’s Kislev
Where was all that now? They insisted on lighting a makeshift prophecy, and that is why we light the
Menorah as further manifestation of Chanukiah just as the Hasmoneans lit
Chaggai had called out to the political- other prophecies fulfilled – those of the Menorah, to symbolize the spirit of
military governor, Zerubavel ben Zechariah, Chaggai’s contemporary. G-d in Zechariah’s prophecy.
Sha’altiel, and the High Priest, Yehoshua
ben Yehotzadak, on the 24th of Kislev, He too encouraged Zerubavel to Prophecies are not oracles of what
“Yom Yesod Heichal Hashem” – the day continue building the Mikdash and will be, but what may be if we choose
of establishing the foundations for the to initiate a war that would end with to respond and write history with the
Second Temple. a miraculous victory! Zechariah Almighty Himself. Yes, Chanukah is
envisioned various images, including a time to remember the prophecies
He told them that to ensure agricultural a Menorah bordered on each side by fulfilled through the Hasmonean
success (primarily that of the olive an olive tree. His accompanying angel response but it is also a time to recall
tree, harvested at that time), they must explained to him that, those prophecies yet to be fulfilled... and
continue to rebuild the Temple. He also ask ourselves how we can respond today.
cried out to Zerubavel to lead the people 'ה ר ַ מ ָ א י ִ חּור ְּ ב ם ִ א י ִּ כ ַ חֹכ ְ ב אלֹ ְ ו לִי ַ ח ְ ב אלֹ
to war, promising him victory and the ...ת ֹו־א ָ ב ְ צ
establishment of monarchy. Sadly, “Not by might nor by strength but by 1 This explanation is found in Maccabees 1, 4
Zerubavel did not heed Chaggai’s words My spirit, said the L-rd of Hosts…” 2 and in the Scholion – a commentary on Megillat
and these inspiring promises were not Ta’anit. Following the rededication of the altar,
fulfilled in his time. Zerubavel’s victory will not be due to they celebrated the miluim ceremony of Chanukat
HaBayit for eight days, from the 25th, parallel to
any military advantage, but rather to the holiday of Sukkot they were not able celebrate
Fast forward 300 years. the spirit of G-d as represented by the earlier in Tishrei (as recorded in Maccabees 2, 10).

The Hasmoneans clearly feel Chaggai’s lights of the Menorah! On either side, 2 Zechariah 4, 6-7 – Haftarah of Shabbat Chanukah.
words reverberating in their hearts the two olive trees represent the king
and minds, perhaps even girding and prophet, both anointed with oil,
themselves with the written scrolls of who will assist in leading the people
his prophecies as they go out to battle in religiously and nationally.
the hills of Binyamin and Yehuda. They The Hasmoneans interpreted their Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational
recall the Divine promises of victory miraculous military victory as the
over strong empires and succeed in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy three Director of World Mizrachi and Religious
launching the battles that Zerubavel had centuries earlier. As they rededicated Zionists of America–Mizrachi and a
failed to fight. senior educator in women's higher
the Mikdash to express the fulfillment educational institutions in Israel

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