Beis Hillel. To grow in holiness.

The well known argument between Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel whether to add or subtract the total number of lights each successive night of Chanuka has been resolved like the Beis hillel. The messege in this is that we must grow in holiness.

 

Listen to what the candles are saying.

The candles of Chanuka are only to be looked at. The Frierdiker rebbe says the candles in their quiescence and peacefulness are saying something incredibly deep. LISTEN.

 

Chanuka candles (as opposed to Shabbos candles) are not for any use. We are not allowed to benefit from them at all. Why?

 

The apocrypha  which Yidden once shunned, has the elaborate version of the Chanuka story. The earliest text of all tells the story of the candles.

 

The date of chanuka (25 Kislev) has an affinity for the idea of renewal. This is evidenced from the fact that in the desert the Mishkan (tabernacle) was completed on 25 Kislev 2449. But it's construction and use was postponed until (the end of Adar and) Nissan of that year. This date was not celebrated until the Chanuka story again exposed this day's uniqueness. Why not celebrate this date from the time of the Mishkan?

 

Chanuka Gelt.

Why gelt and what's gelt. Why on Chanuka? Some thoughts.

 

Kislev to Teves.

Chanuka is the only Yom Tov that starts in one month and ends in another.  From Kislev (the third) to Teves (the fourth) of the winter months.

 

 Why Chanuka is at the end of the month and actually goes from (the end [disappearing moon] of) one month into (the birth of) another, Rosh Chodesh Teves is where ruchniyus translates into Gashmiyus.

 

The last day of Chanuka isn't only the last day but a culminating one.