דברי הימים ב, פרק ז׳, פסוק ט׳

The dedication of the newly built altar was an unprecedented event that merged two distinct periods of celebration into one continuous, joyous occasion. The festivities began with seven days dedicated specifically to the altar, taking place immediately before the Festival of Tabernacles. Following this, the people transitioned directly into the seven days of the festival itself. Only after completing these fourteen consecutive days of rejoicing did they gather for the concluding Eighth Day of Assembly, observing it exactly as the Torah commands [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This continuous timeline created a highly unusual situation. Because the initial seven days of dedication immediately preceded the Festival of Tabernacles, the solemn Day of Atonement fell squarely within the celebration period. Instead of fasting, the people celebrated, brought peace offerings, ate, and drank, effectively canceling the fast of the Day of Atonement for that year [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This extraordinary departure from normal practice, involving eating and bringing celebratory sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, was only permitted because it was carried out under the direct instruction of a prophet [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Despite the cancellation of the fast, the people were not held guilty of any wrongdoing. In fact, the celebration received explicit heavenly approval when a divine voice declared that all who participated were assured a place in the World to Come [רד״ק].