Closing Message - Rav Ezra
Entering and Leaving
Before I begin, I just want to note that I've always been drawn to the position of Shammai -- perhaps it stems from a desire to be somewhat contrarian, or the beauty of the singular candle after a holiday full of fire, but nonetheless, that is my prediciliciton, even as my practice remains consistent with the community.
In the "famous" debate between Hillel and Shamai, the Talmud (Shabbat 21b) offers multiple suggestsions about the reasons for their various traditions of whether to increase in candles each night or decrease . The most quoted reason is that of Hillel: "מעלין בקדש ואין מורידין" -- we move up in holiness rather than down -- thus each day we are in the process of adding candles and adding holiness.
I am drawn however, to the first set of reasons presented in the Geamara-- at first seemingly practical, but upon closer inspection, much deeper. Bet Shammai -- כנגד ימים הנכנסים - corresponding to the days that are entering. Beit Hillel - כנגד ימים היוצאים - corresponding to the days that are leaving. Beit Shammai's candles mark how many days are still coming in the holiday, (On the first night -- there are 8 days left, so 8 candles), whereas Beit Hillel's candles mark how many days have passed (On the third night, we've already had three days).
There is something powerful about Shammai's notions of "Yamim Hanichnasim" -- the days that we are entering. In Shammai's formulation -- a decrease in candles is actually an increase in awareness of how much is left. What are we still entering into? For Shammai, on the first day of Chanukah -- with our 8 candles, we are conscious of the 8 days that are coming -- that are laid out in front of us - to anticipate, look forward to, appreciate.
In contrast with Shammai, Hillel's candles focus on the present and the past. Tonight is the fist night, we've just done one day. Hillel's count, like the holiday itself -- is focused on the moments that have already occurred - like the events of the Chanukah story, and the evening we are currently in.
And so, while we live in a world of Hillel -- of commemorating history with modern day holidays, I try to remember to hold Shammai's anticipatory awareness -- the days that are coming -- the still three nights left of Chanukah, and the weeks and years ahead, which please God, will only offer us comfort, safety, health, and connection.
Reminder to all to take good care of ourselves and each other. Try to do something specific today that strengthens you, and something else that strengthens someone else.
