Reflections - Torah.org

Hanukah - Hindsight

Rabbi Raymond Beyda

HINDSIGHT

We must all realize that life moves very quickly and that what seems so significant today may still be important tomorrow or it may fade quickly from our consciousness. Good wine requires a patient aging process and very often-successful decisions are made only after one gives ideas time to cook slowly. Only after time places events in perspective can one be certain that one's evaluation of their significance is correct. Don't jump to conclusions. Give things a minute and more, and your reaction will turn out to be in the correct proportion more times than not.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

We read the Torah in the synagogue all the eight days of Hanukah from the chapters speaking about the offerings brought by the tribal leaders in the desert for the dedication of the Tabernacle. The reason is that the Tabernacle was completed on the 25th of Kislev the same day as the first day of Hanukah. [The use of the Tabernacle as a Temple with daily offerings did not begin until the first of Nissan 4 months later].
(Source, Mishnah Berurah, Siman 684:1)

Another reason is that Hanukah means dedication and the Torah portion that we read tells of the dedication of the Tabernacle our first Temple.
(Source Lebush, Siman 684:1)