For תרס”א 5
בחנוכה קורין פ’ הנשיאים.
“On Chanuka we read the section of the Tribal Princes.”
The Sefat Emet begins by noting the established custom of reading the offerings of the princes during Chanuka.
דאיתא שניחם הקב”ה את אהרן שלא הי’ לשבטו חלק בחנוכת הנשיאים וא”ל שלך לעולם קיימת.
“It is taught that the Holy One comforted Aaron, for his tribe had no share in the dedication of the princes, and He told him: ‘Yours shall endure forever.’”
Although the princes brought offerings and Aaron did not, God assured him that his spiritual contribution is everlasting.
דהנה הנשיאים המשיכו דרך חדש מעולם העליון.
“For the princes drew down a new pathway from the supernal world.”
The offerings of the princes introduced a new spiritual channel into the world.
דכל התחדשות בא משורש העליון כדכ’ אין כל חדש תחת השמש.
“For all renewal comes from the upper root, as it is written: ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’”
True innovation originates above; what appears new below is only a revelation of a higher source.
ומן י”ג מדות נמשך התחדשות.
“And from the Thirteen Attributes flows renewal.”
The divine attributes of mercy are the channels through which renewal enters creation.
ולכן בתשרי שמתחדש השנה נפתחין י”ג מדות הרחמים.
“Therefore, in Tishrei, when the year renews, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are opened.”
The spiritual renewal of the year corresponds to an opening of these attributes.
וזה היה חנוכת י”ב הנשיאים.
“And this was the dedication of the twelve princes.”
Their offerings aligned with the revelation of these divine attributes.
ומדת אהרן כ”ג הוא מדת נוצר חסד כידוע.
“And Aaron’s measure, twenty-three, is the attribute of ‘preserving kindness,’ as is known.”
Aaron’s spiritual quality corresponds to the attribute of ‘Notzer Chesed,’ one of the thirteen attributes.
וכמו שנפתחו בחנוכת המשכן י”ג שערים מי”ג מדות כן בחנוכה זו נפתחים שמונה מדות עד נוצר חסד שהם בחי’ כ”ג.
“And just as at the dedication of the Mishkan the thirteen gates of the attributes were opened, so in this Chanuka eight attributes are opened, up to ‘Notzer Chesed,’ which corresponds to the number twenty-three.”
Chanuka reveals a portion of the attributes, culminating in the one aligned with Aaron’s essence.
ולכן איתא להדליק נר חנוכה ר”ת שם נוצר חסד לאלפים.
“Therefore it is written: ‘to light the Chanuka lamp,’ whose initials form the name ‘Notzer Chesed la’Alafim.’”
The act of lighting the menorah hints at this attribute of divine kindness.
וזהו בחי’ שלך לעולם קיימת שכן הוא המדה נוצר חסד לאלפים היינו לעולם.
“And this is the meaning of ‘Yours shall endure forever,’ for the attribute ‘Notzer Chesed la’Alafim’ signifies eternity.”
Because Aaron embodies this enduring attribute, his service is eternal.
אלפים טובא משמע.
“‘Thousands’ implies abundance.”
The phrase suggests a vast, enduring flow of divine kindness.
ומעין זה נשאר פך אחד חתום בחותמו של כ”ג זה נקודה של חסד שנשמר ונוצר לעולם בכח הכ”ג.
“And akin to this, there remained one cruse sealed with the seal of the High Priest; this was a point of kindness preserved forever through the power of the High Priest.”
The miraculous cruse represents the preserved spark of divine kindness linked to Aaron.
ומדות הכ”ג מאירין בח’ ימי חנוכה אלו.
“And the attributes of the High Priest shine during these eight days of Chanuka.”
Chanuka becomes a time when Aaron’s spiritual qualities radiate into the world.
והרמב”ן ז”ל רומז ג”כ שלך לעולם קיימת על נרות דחנוכה ודבר ה’ בפיו אמת כמ”ש.
“And the Ramban also hints that ‘Yours shall endure forever’ refers to the Chanuka lights, and the word of God in his mouth is true, as it is written.”
The Ramban affirms that the eternal service promised to Aaron is realized in the mitzvah of the Chanuka lights.
The Sefat Emet explains that the princes’ offerings drew new divine pathways, while Aaron’s eternal role is rooted in the attribute of ‘Notzer Chesed.’ Chanuka reveals this enduring kindness, symbolized in the miraculous cruse and expressed in the lighting of the menorah.
