We will be lighting Ner Rishon of Hanukah, the first light, next week.
Two of the most prominent and famous Tanaim were the renowned Hilel and Shamai. In their discussion Shamai is often described as the stricter one and Hilel as the more lenient one. Although statistically correct, it is an oversimplification of the matter. In fact – on numerous occasions, Hilel has a stricter approach. On Hanukah the two great rabbis are split as to the way we light the candles each night :
Beit Shammai says: On the first day one kindles eight lights and, from there on, gradually decreases the number of lights until, on the last day of Hanukkah, they kindle one light.
And Beit Hillel says: On the first day one kindles one light, and from there on, gradually increases the number of lights until, on the last day, they kindle eight lights.
As in most Halachic disputes between them, the Halacha is determined in line with Beit Hilel’s opinion, and we increase the number of candles each night – from one to eight.
Perhaps the difference of opinions in this particular case (in which one can not refer to either of the great scholars as “Strict” or “Lenient”) is giving us a clue into their respective general way of thinking.
If we look at the pure logic way to describe the Hanukah miracle – then the idea of decreasing the number of candles represents the fact that on each day in the “original” Hanukah, there was less oil in the one and only jar of oil which they have found. Hence the view of Beit Shamai is to decrease the number, from eight to one.
If however we look at the delight and relief the priests must have felt. It must have increased on each day of the “original” Hanukah, as they were watching the miracle – “increasing” further each day in which the one and only Jar had enough pure oil to light the Menorah. Hence Beit Hilel’s view that we should increase the number of candles each night.
Happy Hanukah and warm regards
Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld