22 December 2011
Beit Hillel - the School of Hillel - say that on Hanukkah one candle should be lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on.
Does this sound familiar? This is what we do today.
However, Beit Shammai - the School of Shammai - say that eight candles should be lit on the first night, seven on the second, and so on.
Today we follow the Beit Hillel, the realist, who argued that people need increasing light in order to remain inspired throughout the entire holiday.
Beit Shammai’s view, however, teaches a profound ideal: spiritual greatness only comes through increasing humility.
Talmud Shabbat 21b
5 links:
A great kids' Hannukah book
A biography of Hillel
A fabulous online selection of Hannuka menorahs.
R. Keleman on the Xmas-Channuka link
R. Cardozo on Channuka
