Lighting the Hanukkiah (Menorah) each night for eight nights is the central ritual of Hanukkah. We add a new candle each night, thereby increasing the light. The lighting of the candles on the Hanukkiah is symbolic of a miracle: A long time ago, when there was only enough oil to last one night, but it ended up (miraculously!) lasting eight nights
In tomorrow’s post, we will talk about the significance of the oil.
Publicizing the Light
We are supposed to “publicize the miracle” by putting our menorahs in a window that faces the street (Shabbat 21b:8). It is part pride and part sharing the light and joy.
This year, some Jews are questioning the tradition of openly displaying their Judaism. given the 388% rise in antisemitism around the world, and in some of our local communities, city councils, college campuses, and schools across the United States, the rise in hatred has been palpable and frightening to many.
Unfortunately, this is not the only time that Jews have been scared. Our sages tell us clearly that we are not supposed to put ourselves in danger.
“Even though the Talmud tells us to light outside, in the dark, where everyone can see it, we are also told that if it is dangerous to do so, you can light indoors, and that fulfills the obligation.” Sefaria.org
Some people are defiantly putting their menorahs in their windows, and there is even a group this year called Project Menorah, which is encouraging non-Jews to light a menorah in solidarity with their Jewish neighbors.
Increasing the Light
We learn from a debate between the great sages Hillel and Shammai the custom of add one candle each night.
Rabbi 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, he kindles one light. Rabbi Hillel say: On the first day one kindles one light, and from there on, gradually increases the number of lights until, on the last day, he kindles eight lights. Shabbat 27b:7
Rabbi Hillel wins this debate, which is why we follow his opinion today.
The reason for Beit Hillel’s opinion is based on this very important principle:
We increase in holiness, we do not decrease.
The rabbis understood that light was not just the physical light that we see with our eyes.
There’s an inner light in all of us, and when we share our gifts, we spread our light.
What would it mean, if we took that principle of “increasing the light” by sharing our gifts regularly in our daily lives?
It means to add goodness to the world consciously – our family, neighborhood, and friends.
It means to pause before responding with a knee-jerk harsh response when someone on social media says something that you don’t like. Instead, it would be asking — how might I add to this conversation that brings light?
It could also mean stepping in to help a neighbor or doing a very simple kindness at the grocery store.
It could even mean asking yourself — what brings me light – and making a commitment to do more of that.
This year, what can you do to “increase the light” in your world? Comment below.
— It can be the seemingly smallest thing, to something much larger and impactful. Please comment below to share how you might increase the light right now.
Bringing Light to Darkness
From Our Community
Here are some favorite Menorah memories from members of our Hineni Spiritual Community:
The menorah of my childhood is a family heirloom. Not sure which relative had it before my family did….I now have it. It is brass with a wind-up music box in its base. It plays Rock of Ages. After winding it up, it plays at a fast speed and continues til it is incredibly slow as it needs to be rewound. I have 70+ years of memories of the menorah accompanying various groups of family members as we sang Rock of Ages.
Linda Salzman
We once had one with little figures of men dancing – it made me happy but actually, my favorite are the ones that light up that you put in your window for others to see.
Franny Alexander
The two menorahs that my parents bought us in Israel long ago have special meaning; because it’s from them and the menorahs are also quite beautiful.
Susan Kronish Grotenstein
We have several, but as a family we bought a Bugs Bunny and friends menorah. Its fun and adorable.
Aimee
The two menorahs that my parents bought us in Israel long ago have special meaning; because it’s from them and the menorahs are also quite beautiful.
Jane Sloven
Tonight we first bless and light two candles on the Hanukkiah (really, three total.) You light the shamash (helper candle, then two more.) THEN, you light your Shabbat candles.
Click here for the Chanukah Blessings to say each night.
Sign up for our Hanukkah emails, which you will receive in your inbox each day. Click here.
Happy Hanukkah,
Rabbi Jill and the team
I am being a light in the community I live and on social communities by learning to speak up at the right time and to be silent at times that need Abba to open another’s eyes. I am being a light by not being forced into captivity by hatred and fear. I will show light means love but also light reveals darkness within me and within others. I will wear my Chanukah hat at work,hang my Chanukah light decoration in the window and display my Chanukah menorah.
My husband and I loaded the dishwasher in different ways. One of us was not wrong in how we did it. We had different ways of seeing and doing.
Rabbi Hillel isn’t necessariy the winner.
I can see that Rabbi Shammai may have been seeing it differently.
I can see that we see we are light as a whole but it comes down to an individual choice to be light that will affect the whole in the long run