אֵ֤ל ׀ יְהוָה֮ וַיָּ֪אֶר לָ֥נוּ אִסְרוּ־חַ֥ג בַּעֲבֹתִ֑ים עַד־קַ֝רְנ֗וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
ה׳ איז גאָט, און ער האָט אונדז דערלוכטן;פֿלעכט אַ טאַנץ מיט צװײַגןביז די הערנער פֿון מזבח.
Pesikta Rabbati
... Teach us, our master, from when does the mitzvah of the Channukah lamp begin? Our rabbis taught – from when the sun sets until the majority of people are gone from the marketplace. And where are they to be lit? If one lives on an upper floor with a window facing the public domain, light there. If it is a time of danger, light within your house [and it is forbidden to do work by its light. R’ Asi said] it is forbidden to see by its light. Why do we light Channukah lamps? When the Hasmonean High Priest defeated the Greeks, as it says “For I bend Judah for Me like a bow; I filled [the hand of] Ephraim, and I will arouse your children, O Zion, upon your children, O Javan; and I will make you as the sword of a mighty man,” (Zechariah 9:13) they entered the Holy Temple. They found there eight iron stakes, fixed them in the ground and lit lamps upon them. Why do we read the Hallel psalms of praise? Because it is written “The Lord is God, and He gave us light.” (Tehillim 118:27) Why don’t we read it on Purim? It is written “…to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish the entire host of every people and province that oppress them…” (Esther 8:11) and we don’t read it except to mark the fall of a kingdom and the kingdom of Ahasuerus still stood. But when the Holy One destroyed the kingdom of Greece they began to sing hymns and praises and to say that in the past we were servants to Pharoah, servants to Greece and now we are servants to the Holy One “Praise, you servants of the Lord…” (Tehillim 113:1) How many channukot (dedications) were there? There were seven. The dedication of heaven and earth, as it says “Now the heavens and the earth were completed…” (Bereshit 2:1) What dedication was there then? “And God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to shed light upon the earth.” (Bereshit 1:17) The dedication of the wall, as it says “And in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem…” (Nechemiah 12:27) The dedication of those who came up from the exile, as it says “And they offered up for the dedication of this House of God…” (Ezra 6:17) The dedication of the priests, which we light for. The dedication of the world to come, as it says “And it shall come to pass on that day, that I will search Jerusalem with candles…” (Tzephaniah 1:12) The dedication of the princes “This was the dedication offering of the altar…” (Bamidbar 7:84) The dedication of the Sanctuary, which this is speaking of “A psalm; a song of dedication of the House, of David.” (Tehillim 30:1) Another explanation. There are seven channukot. The dedication of the creation of the world, as it is written “Now the heavens and the earth were completed…” (Bereshit 2:1) Completion is the language of dedication, as is written “All the work of the Mishkan of the Tent of Meeting was completed…” (Shemot 39:32) The dedication of Moshe, as it is written “And it was that on the day that Moses finished erecting the Mishkan…” (Bamidbar 7:1) The dedication of the House, as it is written “A psalm; a song of dedication of the House, of David.” (Tehillim 30:1) The dedication of the Second Temple [as it says “And they offered up for the dedication of this House of God…” (Ezra 6:17) and the dedication of the wall] as it says “And in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem…” (Nechemiah 12:27) The current one of the House of Hasmonean. The dedication of the world to come, because even that has lights, as it is written “And the light of the moon shall be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold as the light of the seven days…” (Isaiah 30:26)
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts, and the prince of the children of Judah is Nahsḥon, son of Aminadav” (Numbers 2:3).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
“Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah…,” that is what is written: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, [established the heavens with understanding]” (Proverbs 3:19). The Holy One blessed be He created the four directions of the world: east, west, north, and south. East, from there light emerges to the world. West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat emerge to the world. South, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge to the world. North, from there, darkness emerges to the world. Similarly, He surrounded His Throne with four beasts and, above them all, the Throne of Glory.
Corresponding to them,15The four directions. the Holy One blessed be He arranged the banners for Moses. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, the east from which light emerges to the world, Judah will correspond to it, as he is the possessor of the kingdom, as it is stated: “Those who encamp to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah” (Numbers 2:3). With it, the tribe of Issachar, which is a possessor of Torah, as it is stated: “From the children of Issachar, possessors of understanding of the times” (I Chronicles 12:33). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Issachar” (Numbers 2:5). With it Zebulun, which is a possessor of wealth, as it is written: “Zebulun [will dwell] at the seashore, [and he shall be a shore for ships]” (Genesis 49:13). Likewise it says: “The tribe of Zebulun…” (Numbers 2:7). “All those counted for the camp of Judah…they shall travel first [rishona]” (Numbers 2:9), as the Torah is called rosh: “I was crowned from the distant past [merosh]” (Proverbs 8:23),16Torah here is a reference to Issachar. and it says: “For in the shadow of wisdom, in the shadow of money” (Ecclesiastes 7:12),17Money here is a reference to Zebulun. and it says: “Their king passed before them and the Lord is at their head” (Micah 2:13).18The king is a reference to Judah.
You find that everywhere Judah is first: first for encampment, as it is stated: “Those who encamp [to the east, the banner of the camp of Judah]” – first for travel. As it is stated: “They shall travel first” (Numbers 2:9). For offerings, Judah is first, as it is stated: “The one who presented [his offering on the first day was Naḥshon, son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah]” (Numbers 7:12). For war, Judah is first, as it is stated: “Who will ascend first against the Canaanites for us…? The Lord said: Judah will ascend” (Judges 1:1–2). And one verse says: “The Lord said: Judah first” (Judges 20:18). When the herald19Who will announce the redemption of Israel. comes, Judah will receive the tidings first, as it is stated: “The feet of the herald are upon the mountains, announcing peace. Celebrate your feasts, Judah” (Nahum 2:1). That is from the east.
The south, dews of blessing and rains of blessing emerge from it to the world. The tribe of Reuben will correspond to it, as he is a penitent. Penitence is a fine attribute, and the mercy of the Holy One blessed be He comes upon people when they repent. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Reuben is to the south…” (Numbers 2:10). With it, Gad, which was the possessor of a regiment, as it is stated: “Gad will wage war by regiment” (Genesis 49:19); Reuben with repentance, Gad with power, and Simeon in the middle to atone for it.20For the sin done with the daughters of Midyan at the Shitim (Number 25:1–9, 14–15). That is what is written: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Simeon” (Numbers 2:12), “and the tribe of Gad” (Numbers 2:14), “all those counted of the camp of Reuben…they shall travel second” (Numbers 2:16), as penitence is second to the Torah.
After these two banners traveled, the Levites would transport the Tabernacle; that is what is written: “The Tent of Meeting, the Levite camp, shall travel [in the midst of the camps]” (Numbers 2:17).
West, the storehouses of snow, the storehouses of hail, cold, and heat, and corresponding to them, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. Who can withstand snow and hail? It is Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, as it is stated: “Rouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh” (Psalms 80:3). The Divine Presence is always in the west, on the border of Benjamin, as it is stated: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved, [the Lord will dwell in safety with him; He covers over him all the day, and He rests between his shoulders]” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts is to the west…” (Numbers 2:18), “with it, the tribe of Manasseh…” (Numbers 2:20), “and the tribe of Benjamin, and the prince…” (Numbers 2:22), “all those counted for the camp [of Ephraim]…they shall travel third (Numbers 2:24). Strength is fitting for Torah and repentance, so that a person will strengthen himself in Torah and overcome his evil inclination.
North, from there darkness emerges to the world, and corresponding to it, the tribe of Dan. Why? It is because it brought darkness to the world with idol worship. Yerovam crafted two golden calves, and idol worship is darkness, as it is stated: “Their actions are in the dark” (Isaiah 29:15). Yerovam circulated throughout Israel and it was only the tribe of Dan that accepted it from him, as it is stated: “The king consulted, and he crafted two golden calves…and he placed one in Dan” (I Kings 12:28–29). That is why the Holy One blessed be He commanded that Dan would encamp in the north. That is what is written: “The banner of the camp of Dan is to the north…” (Numbers 2:25). With it, the tribe of Asher, which illuminates the darkness, as it is stated: “And of Asher he said: Blessed…and he dips his foot in oil”21Oil is used to light up the darkness. (Deuteronomy 33:24). Likewise it says: “And those who encamp with it, the tribe of Asher” (Numbers 2:27). With it, Naphtali, who is filled with blessing in order to provide sustenance, just as it is written: “Naphtali, his desire is satisfied, [and full with the blessing of the Lord]” (Deuteronomy 33:23). Likewise it says: “and the tribe of Naphtali” (Numbers 2:29). “All those counted for the camp of Dan…they shall travel last by their banners (Numbers 2:31), as anyone who engages in idol worship goes backward and not forward. That is why it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding”(Proverbs 3:19).
Just as the Holy One blessed be He created four directions and four banners corresponding to them, so, too, He surrounded His throne with four angels: Mikhael, Gavriel, Uriel, and Refael. Mikhael was to His right, corresponding to Reuben. Why is his name called Mikhael? When Israel crossed the sea, Moses broke out in song: “Who is like You [mikhamokha]” (Exodus 15:11). When he concluded the Torah, he said: “Yeshurun, there is none like God [ein kael]” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Mi khamokha, ein kael, that is Mikhael.
Uriel to his left, corresponding to Dan that was in the north. Why is his name called Uriel? It is because of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings with which the Holy One blessed be He atones for it,22For the tribe of Dan. and illuminates for Israel, as it is stated: “Arise, shine [ori], for your light has come [and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you]” (Isaiah 60:1). And David said: “The Lord is God [el], He has illuminated for us” (Psalms 118:27); that is Uriel. Likewise, it says: “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord is a light for me” (Micah 7:8).
Gavriel before Him, corresponding to the kingdom of Judah, Moses, and Aaron, who were in the east.23The directions are defined relative to somebody facing east. Therefore, the front is east, the back is west, to the left is north and to the right is south. Why was his name called Gavriel? Regarding Judah, it is written: “For Judah prevailed [gavar] over his brothers” (I Chronicles 5:2), and regarding Moses, it is written: “He called to Moses” (Leviticus 1:1), and it is written: “He called his name Pele Yoetz El Gibor” (Isaiah 9:5). That is Gavriel.
Refael, corresponding to Ephraim. Why was his name called Refael? It was in order to heal [lerapot] the breach of Yerovam, who emerged from Ephraim that is in the west. “God [el], please, heal [refa] her now” (Numbers 12:13).
Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael
viz. (Song of Songs 3: "I had almost passed them (Moses and Aaron) by, when I found Him whom my soul loved. I held onto Him and did not let go of Him until I had brought Him to the house of my mother and the chamber of my conception." "my G–d" (Keli): With me He manifested the attribute of mercy, and with my fathers, the attribute of justice. And whence is it derived that "keli" connotes the attribute of mercy? From (Psalms 22:2) "Keli, Keli, why have You forsaken me?" and (Numbers 12:13) "Kel, I pray You, heal her, I pray You," and (Psalms 118:27) "The L–rd is 'Kel,' and He has lighted (the way) for us." And whence is it derived that "Elokim" (as in [Exodus, Ibid] "the G–d ['Elokei'] of my father") connotes justice? From (Devarim 1:17) "For the judgment is to 'Elokim.'"