Zechariah #4 (Chapter 3)

The Haftarah of Shabbat Chanukah and Behaalotecha contains three parts:

1. The returning the Schechina to Yerushalayim (end of chapter 2)
2. The vision of Yehoshua Kohen Gadol being judged by the Heavenly court - the return of the religious leadership (chapter 3)
3. The return of the proper political leadership (chapter 4)

The Malbim discusses Yehoshua being saved from the fire "הלא זה אוד מוצל מאש" and why his clothes were singed whereas חנניה מישאל ועזריה emerged completely unscathed. The Malbim explains this passage in consistent with his understanding that the era of Bayit Sheni (the second Commonwealth) had the potential to be the final redemption.

Delivered at the OU Israel Center, April 29th, 2019, 24 Nisan 5779