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Compensating
Kislev
Mrs.
Menucha Chwat
Chanuka
5764 (2003)
The Midrash (Shemot Rabba 52:2) reveals that the
25th of Kislev was not only when the rededication
of the Temple took place in the times of the Chashmonaim,
but was also the date when the Mishkan was completed
by Moshe and the people of Israel. The actual dedication
of the Mishkan, we are told in the Torah, was on
the 1st of Nissan, though. The Midrash explains
the delay.
The Midrash tells the story: "On the 25th of Kislev
the work of Mishkan was completed, and its components
sat folded up [for three months] until the 1st of
Nissan, because G-d wanted the Mishkan to be erected
in the month that Yitzchak was born. The month of
Kislev was thus deprived. Said G-d: 'I must compensate
it.' How did G-d compensate the month of Kislev
- through the dedication of the Temple by the Chashmonaim
(on Chanukah)."
The Midrash explains why the dedication was delayed
from Kislev to Nissan, but leaves us with a number
of questions. Why is Yitzchak the patriarch honored
with the dedication of the Mishkan? Why not dedicate
the Mishkan on the birthdate of one of the other
patriarchs? Furthermore, how is the dedication by
the Chashmonaim considered fitting compensation?
Yitzchak symbolizes sacrifice. He was willing to
let himself be bound on the altar on Har Hamoriah
at the Akeida. It is therefore fitting that the
Mishkan, where sacrifices are offered, be associated
with him.
The Chashmonaim, generations later, also exemplified
self-sacrifice. In their struggle with the Greeks,
they were willing to sacrifice themselves to purify
Har Hamoriah, where their ancestor Yitzchak was
willing to sacrifice himself for Hashem. Through
the Chashmonaim, the month of Kislev is appropriately
"compensated" with the rededication and purification
of the Temple.
May we merit to have Har Hamoriah purified and rededicated
speedily in our days. |
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