Chanukah: Action is What Counts

As many of us are aware, Chanukah celebrates the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. We celebrate by lighting one candle on the first night, two on the second night, three on the third night and so on and so forth.

Of course, like everything in Judaism, there is an argument about what order we light in.

The Talmud relates how Bet Hillel (the school of Hillel) say we start with one candle and add on each night until we reach eight. Bet Shammai (the school of Shammai), however, maintain that we start with eight and count down to one.

What is the basis of this argument?

Bet Hillel base their reasoning on what is taking place now, in the present. Today is the first day, so it was one day of miracle, so we light one candle. The second day represents two days of miracle, so two candles, and so on. We look only at our accomplishments so far, at what has been actualised to date.

Bet Shammai, on the other hand, look at the potential. On the first night, the potential is for eight days, so we light eight candles. On the second night, the potential is only seven, so we light seven, and so on.

In Jewish Law, we follow Bet Hillel. Bet Hillel's opinion represents the idea of "hamaaseh hu ha'ikar" that it is action which counts. Yes, potential is all well and good, but only if utilized. Therefore, according to Bet Hillel, we do not look at the as yet unrealised potential, but rather at the reality of what has taken place. It is concrete accomplishments that count, not the mere possibility.

Potential is a great thing, but only if it leads to practical actions.

Also, there is a tradition of 'maalin bakodesh' - that in matters of holiness, we increase rather than decreasing. Each day of Chanukah represents an increase in light, an increase in holiness, good deeds and brining light into the world. We are always striving higher, never lower.

Interestingly, there is a tradition that in the Messianic Era, we will follow Bet Shammai in matters of Jewish Law. One reason is that at that time, people will realize their true potential. Therefore, the reasoning of Bet Shammai will fit with that of Bet Hillel, we will be recognizing both potential and actual accomplishment, at the same time, since we will all be reaching our full potential.

Happy Chanukah!