Chaggai Perek 2

Note: With this we finish the two perakim of Chaggai, and we will be moving forward in Trey Asar with Zechariah next!

• Chaggai receives a prophecy to deliver to the nation, to question them about who was around to still remember the first Beis Hamikdash.

• Chaggai encourages the nation to be strong because God is still with them.

Note: The Radak brings the Gemarah in Baba Basra 3A: There is a disagreement about what it means that the second Beis Hamikdash will be greater than the first one. Some say this refers to number of years in existence. The first Beis Hamikdash existed for 410 years, while the second Beis Hamikdash existed for 420 years. Others say that perhaps the actual physical structure of the second Beis Hamikdash was nicer. In its day, it was considered the most beautiful building in the world.

• Chaggai tested the kohanim’s knowledge by asking them two questions. They answered one correctly and the other incorrectly.

• Chaggai received another prophecy that he was to deliver to Zerubavel son of Shaltiel. Mashiach will come through him because he stems from the lineage of Dovid Hamelech.