24 Kislev marked the beginning of the construction of the Second Temple more than 3,000 years ago.The Baal Kaf HaChaim writes (428:166) that on this day it is a very good minhag to read pesukim from Haggai's prophecy about the construction of the Temple.The source for this is the Gemara in Tractate Sanhedrin (101:1), where it says:“Anyone who reads a verse at its appointed time brings goodness to the world, as it is said: ‘And to speak a word at the proper time is good’...; and one who reads a verse at its appointed time elevates it as though he were building a new altar and offering a sacrifice upon it.” Therefore, 24 Kislev is an auspicious time to recite the following pesukim from the Prophet Haggai.The Prophet Haggai (2:10–23)10) On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month [24 Kislev], in the second year of Darius, the word of G-d came through Haggai the prophet, saying:11) Thus said the L-rd of Hosts: Ask the kohanim for a ruling, saying:12) If a person carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and the fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does it thereby become consecrated? The kohanim answered, “No.”13) Haggai then said: If someone rendered impure by contact with a corpse touches any of these things, do they become impure? The kohanim answered, “They become impure.”14) And Haggai responded and said: So is this people, and so is this nation before Me, declares the L-rd; and so is every work of their hands, and what they offer there is impure.15) And now, please take this to heart from this day onward. Before stone was laid upon stone in the Temple of the L-rd,16) when one came to a heap expecting twenty measures, there were only ten;when one came to the winepress to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.17) I struck you with blight, mildew, and hail—all the work of your hands—yet you did not turn to Me, declares the L-rd.18) Please take this to heart from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month [24 Kislev], from the day when the foundation of the L-rd's Temple was laid; take it to heart.19) Is the seed still in the granary? The vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet borne fruit—but from this day on I will bless you.20) And the word of the L-rd came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month [24 Kislev], saying:21) Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying:22) I will shake the heavens and the earth; I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; I will overthrow chariots and their riders, and horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.23) On that day, declares the L-rd of Hosts, I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant, declares the L-rd, and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the L-rd of Hosts.(https://www.hidabroot.org/article/215664; text from Toldot.com)
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