What's New Rabbi's Article Climbing the Mountain
Let me review with you the famous controversy between Hillel and Shammai regarding the order in which we should light our Chanukah candles. According to Shammai, we are to kindle eight candles the first night and work our way down by decreasing one each night, until we are left with only one candle on the last night of the festival.
Now you might be surprised at this ruling. The fact of the matter, however, is that Shammai is totally correct. You remember what happened in the Holy Temple: the Maccabees found enough oil to last for only one day. We believe that the miracle was that each day the oil decreased by one eighth, leaving just a tiny bit for the last night.
Well, that is exactly what Shammai is saying. Since all the oil was there on the first night, we should light all the candles. Then we should decrease them by one eighth every night.
So it emerges that Hillel has to prove his point of increasing them. And does he ever!
“You are totally correct,” Hillel must have said. “Historically, the facts are with you, Shammai. But never forget – We always rise in sanctity – we never diminish!”
How would it look, Hillel reasoned, for us to enjoy the great sight of all the candles burning the first night and then going down and down, until only one tiny little light is left?
And herein lies the secret of the constant rejuvenation of the Jewish people. Historically and logically, we should have disappeared centuries ago. But the truth is that those who have persecuted us are the ones who have ended up in the dusty pages of the history books, and we continue with ever-growing physical and spiritual strength. We owe Hillel a great debt for this lesson as we contribute to our people in every way. So as we gather around our menorahs this Chanukah, let us remember that we do not curse the darkness, but we bring light to us and the whole world. Let us see the vision of the mountain of G-d and let us always climb toward its peak – “from strength to strength.”
A JOYOUS CHANUKAH FESTIVAL TO ALL OUR CONGREGANTS AND FRIENDS!
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