The Secret of the Hidden Light: Why Didn't the Tribes Receive the Mitzvot of Chanukah and Purim?

Lesson No. 286 | Thursday, Parashas Toldos, the eve of the 4th of Kislev 5761 - Engagement at the home of the Rav shlit"a within the Old City walls (Continued from No. 285)

A fascinating discourse explaining the progression of the festival of Chanukah from Adam HaRishon (the First Man) to the holy Avos (Patriarchs). Through the teachings of the Chasam Sofer and the holy Shelah, the secret is revealed as to why Yaakov Avinu (our Patriarch Jacob) did not transmit the mitzvot of Chanukah and Purim to the holy Tribes, and how this is connected to Emunas Chachamim (faith in the Sages) and bittul (self-nullification) toward the tzaddik of the generation.

The words of the Chasam Sofer (Parashas Vayeshev) are well-known, stating that the holy Avos fulfilled the entire Torah, including all the halachos (laws) and all the Rabbinic decrees. As it is said regarding Avraham Avinu:

"Because Avraham hearkened to My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My teachings."

They fulfilled everything, even Rabbinic laws such as Eiruvei Tavshilin (mixing of cooked foods for Shabbos) and Eiruvei Techumin (mixing of boundaries for Shabbos travel). But the question arises: What about Chanukah and Purim? Did the Avos fulfill them as well, even before the historical miracles occurred?

Adam HaRishon and the Lighting of the Candles

The Gemara in Tractate Avodah Zarah (8a) relates regarding Adam HaRishon, that when he saw the days growing shorter as winter approached, he became terrified. He thought that because of his sin, the world was returning to chaos and void, and he was destined to die. However, when the season of Teves arrived, and he saw that the sunset was beginning to occur later and the days were lengthening again, he realized that this is simply the natural course of the world, and everything was sweetened (mitigated).

Immediately, Adam HaRishon arose and lit eight candles in honor of Hashem, eight days before the solstice and eight days after it. From here, the spiritual root of the festival of Chanukah began in the world. Adam HaRishon transmitted the secret of lighting the candles to Chanoch, Chanoch passed it to Mesushelach, Mesushelach to Noach, and Noach to Shem, until the secret reached Avraham Avinu.

Avraham Avinu fulfilled Chanukah and passed the secret to Yitzchak, and Yitzchak passed it to Yaakov. However, when it came to the turn of the holy Tribes, the Chasam Sofer states something wondrous: Yaakov Avinu did not transmit the mitzvot of Chanukah and Purim to the Tribes. The Tribes grasped the entire Torah with their pure and holy intellect, but they did not receive the secret of Chanukah and Purim. Why?

The Power of Emunas Chachamim

The answer lies in the inner essence of these days. The mitzvot of Chanukah and Purim are entirely based on absolute faith in the tzaddik of the generation.

On Chanukah, the Jewish people were required to believe in Mattisyahu and his sons, to follow them into a war that was hopeless according to the laws of nature, and to declare them as leaders. On Purim, the test was even more terrifying: Mordechai the Jew decreed that the Jewish people must fast for three days, which included the festival of Pesach (Passover) itself!

Imagine the magnitude of the test: The Jewish people are in the middle of biur chametz (destroying leavened bread) and the preparations for the Seder night, and suddenly the tzaddik commands them to cancel the holiday. Not to eat matzah, not to drink the four cups of wine, but rather to fast. Mordechai knew that this was a Heavenly decree, and in the merit of the immense faith of the Jewish people in the tzaddik—following him blindly even against logic and against the Torah-mandated mitzvot of Pesach—the miracle occurred.

The Secret of the Two Coins and Nullification to Yosef

In order to merit the light of Chanukah and Purim, one must have absolute bittul (self-nullification) to the tzaddik of the generation. Yaakov Avinu appointed Yosef HaTzaddik to be the leader and the tzaddik of that generation. But the holy Tribes could not achieve this bittul toward Yosef; they disputed him and did not want to accept his leadership.

Because they lacked this bittul and faith in the tzaddik of the generation, it was impossible to transmit the mitzvot of Chanukah and Purim to them. The holy Shelah explains that this is the secret of the "two sela coins" (a reference to the extra garment Yaakov gave to Yosef)—these are the two mitzvot, Chanukah and Purim, which remained hidden from the Tribes and aroused their jealousy. Only one who believes in the tzaddik of that generation, and completely nullifies his own mind to him, can truly fulfill and draw upon himself the great light of Chanukah and Purim.

Part 1 of 2 — Lesson No. 286

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