By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

There is a famous Yalkut Shimoni (#944) referring to the time of Moshiach that states, “All the holidays are destined to be negated but the days of Purim will never be negated forever. Rav Elazar says that Yom Kippur will also not be negated.” The idea is also found in Midrash Mishlei.

Regarding this Midrash, a newly revealed thought from Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal is cited (page 160) in the new second volume of Mesoras Moshe (printed Taives 5776).

At about the time of his grandson’s wedding, Rav Moshe Zatzal’s grandson, ylc”t Reb Mordechai Tendler explained to Rav Moshe that his wife’s shul had purchased a silver Chanukah menorah as a wedding gift, but he hoped never to use it.

Rav Moshe zatzal expressed confusion.

His grandson explained that he hopes that Moshiach will come beforehand and the above Midrash will apply.

Rav Moshe explained that when the Midrash refers to Purim, it also includes Chanukah – because they are both of the same type of Yom Tov. In other words, Chanukah will always be around as well – just like Purim.

I wanted to add two thoughts to this idea:

The first is that there is another source to this idea. Rav Yoseph Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch had kept a diary in which he included the learning sessions he had had with a Malach. The Sefer is called “Maggid Mesharim.” Rav Karo also mentions the idea that both Purim and Chanukah will not be abolished (See Maggid Mesharim Parshas Vayakhel). So we see that Rav Moshe was mechaven to what the Bais Yoseph wrote in his diary.

The second thought is that the Bnei Yissaschar writes (Maamar Chodesh Adar 4:8) that this Midrash does not actually mean that the other holidays will be abolished – because nothing of the Torah will be erased. Rather, the intent is that the new Geulah will be so remarkable that it will cause all of the other Moadim to pale in comparison. Nonetheless, we will still be observing them. The Satmar Rebbe zt”l in Divrei Yoel Motzei Yom Kippur (page 418) writes the same thing.

Please be aware that the author will be delivering a live teleconferencing shiur on the subject of Matanos L’Evyonim. The shiur marei mekomos have been prepared by Lakewood Beis Midrash Govoho’s Shivti program. One can register for the shiur at justorah.com and can download the Marei Mekomos there as well.

The BMG Lakewood Shivti learning program now has over 30 chaburos in ten different cities: Toronto, Dallas, Far Rockaway, Detroit, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Miami Beach and more.
It is coordinated by Rav Avrohom Yishayah Frand, a chassidisha yungerman from England. He is an extremely talented Talmid Chochom who heads the whole team.

Rabbi Avrohom Colman, one of the coordinators, says, “The goal of the program, to quote Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, ‘part of the mission of BMG is to provide opportunities for serious Torah learning.’ That is what this program does.”

And now for the first time, the shiur will be available to everyone in the world regardless of their location.

The shiur will be at 9:45 PM Sunday night and upon registering at justorah.com, you will receive a computer generated phone call.

The author can be reached at [email protected]