We ascend in holiness - Be Optimistic
Dear Congregational Family,
This evening, we will begin to celebrate Chanukah. Nowadays, every Jew I know kindles the Chanukiah the same way, adding one additional light each night.
This was not always the case. In the Talmud, we learn that the basic practice is one Chanukiah for the whole family, and one light is kindled each and every night. A nicer practice is for each member of the household to have a Chanukiah. Still, one light is kindled each and every night. The nicest practice, according to the School of Hillel, is to kindle one light the first night and to add an additional light each other night. According to the School of Shammai, one should kindle all eight lights the first night and subtract one light each other night. Commentaries differ whether or not the nicest practice means one Chanukiah for each person or one for the entire household. To this day, practices vary on that point.
In the Talmudic period, the practices of Hillel and Shammai were both observed, based on their respective followers. Now, it seems that everyone follows the practice of Hillel. Why?
Two sets of reasons are offered in the Talmud. According to one, the issue is lighting in accordance with the days that are exiting or the days that are coming. Another suggests that the Shammai position is based on the Sukkot offerings which were brought over seven days in a descending order. According to many scholars, the very first Chanukah was a belated observance of the eight day period of Sukkot-Shemini Atzeret.
The second set of reasons explains the position of Hillel as follows, "One ascends in holiness and does not descend." I personally favor this explanation. It ties in with the fact that the shortest days of the year are ending, and the days will start having more light. In addition, by adding an additional light each night, we demonstrate our optimism and faith that not only will days get longer, but our daily struggles will become lessened. We will see the light of a better time.
Especially this year due to Covid, the practice of Hillel, which we all follow, will hopefully reinforce our faith and optimism that better days are soon coming.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach,
Rabbi Howard Morrison
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