CLD #748

In yesterday’s CLD we discussed that the passage of the Hanukhat HaMizbeah (grand opening of the alter in the desert’s Mishkan, tabernacle) is directly linked to the lighting of the Menorah in the Mishkan. Rav Pinkus continues to discuss Hannukah in a different viewpoint in his collection of Sihot (discussions). He explains beautifully that the Hannukat HaMizbeah was a time of abnormal and above the usual natural setting of animal sacrifices.

The korbanot (sacrifices) that the tribe leaders were commanded to bring to the Mizbeah all had a common feature: they were unusual sacrifices. This abnormality is explained as follows: when a father is asked what he wants his son to become, a Jewish father says a Talmid Hacham (Torah scholar) who is working on himself as a human being and striving to reach spiritual (and financial) success. When Hashem is asked what he is expecting from His nation, He answers: a nation that follows my Mitzvot and praise my Torah. So the question arises: why did Hashem create human beings that they go through a minimum of three years without any true knowledge or capability of reaching any level of scholarship, after all that is what He wants us to do? The answer is that specifically through these first years of life a father really builds an unconditional love for his son. Only through this unusual life’s reality does the father hold a love for his son for eternity. When a father has a baby there is nothing he is expecting from the baby and the love he has for the baby is true love. There is nothing the baby can give in return.

The same is with the grand opening of the Mishkan, the Hannukat HaMizbeah and later on the lighting of the Menorah by Aharon. When the Mishkan opened and all the Rashei Shevatim brought the unusual sacrifices, these korbanot marked the unusual time that builds the connection and love between Hashem and Am Yisrael. When we light the candles during Hannukah we revive this unconditional love between Hashem and Am Yisrael and remind Hashem: “We are your children and eventually with Your help we will return to You and surround You with our love. Help us show You how much we love You by giving us the strength to continue living a life of Mitzvot and Torah.”

Hannukah begins in FIVE nights!

Sponsor theCLD for the Ilui Neshama (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the name(s)!

Posted in: CLDs