THE ETERNAL FLAME
We say in the al hanisim tefilah,
“v’hidliku neiros b’chatzros kadshecha,”
and they kindled lights in your holy courtyard.
But wasn’t the menorah in the
heichal
, the inner sanctum, and not the courtyard? Also, why use the plural
neiros
? Should it not simply say
ner
, as in
ner chanukah
!
Obviously, the term
chatzros
refers to the entire bais hamikdash.
We can suggest that the greatest expression of thanksgiving man can offer G-d is through the bais hamikdash and the seder avodah, ritual service, which included the (animal) sacrifices associated with gratitude:
menachos, todah, shlamim,
etc.
As we say in hallel,
“How can I repay Hashem for all the kindness He bestows upon me… to You I will offer sacrifices of todah, thanksgiving!”
When the
chashmonaim
reclaimed the bais hamikdash, they lit not only the menorah but the fires (there were two) of the outer
mizba’ach
, alter located in the Temple courtyard, reinstating the purest form of expressing gratitude known to man.
May we merit to see the third beis hamikdash rebuilt speedily in our days, the return of seder avodah, and a bring korban todah
b’mheirah b’yameinu
! Amen.
Have a wonderful shabbos chanukah!
See you in shul,
Rabbi Aaron D. Mehlman
Erev shabbos kodesh miketz, rosh chodesh teves 5779