A Hanukkah Rhyme
For 5763You may know of the custom
a strange habit of mine
when we gather at Hanukkah
a sermon in rhyme.At this season, in my head
both when awake and in bed
bad rhymes through my mind run loud and clear
Your attention please, I beg to hear
Lest my rhyming go to waste,
admitting thus my dubious taste.Over yonder great light
Our menorah aglow
eight lights plus the shamash
on this night, you know.It’s the eighth night of Hanukkah
and the custom you see
to illumine all candles
as bright as can be“But of course!”
So you say
“Always that’s been the way
by one flame we increase every night
and by means of reply,
so to pause, explain why
every year, by same pattern we lightFor in truth though...
it might not have happened
it would not thusly have been
if a famous debate
Beit Hillel did not win.In the days of the Talmud
more than two thousand years past
rules for menorah lighting
weren’t fixed hard and fastThere were two schools of thought
how to light it we ought
and each side a good case did present
So if now you’ll allow
explain I – who what & how
The Talmud’s debate how it wentAs the legend is told
two great sages of old
by the names of Hillel and Shammai
they would fight and debate
and argue ‘till late
Jewish practice the “how” and the “why”Shammai was well known
to favor order and rules
for being quite strict
for not suffering fools.Hillel, on the other hand
was known thus to say,
that lessons and meanings
should carry the day.So if rules must be bent
or altered somewhat
Hillel one could count on
for slack so to cut.The Talmud records
several hundred times when
Hillel and Shammai,
debate time and againAnd it turns out that
with nearly every debate
it’s Hillel’s presentation
that carries most weight.But that really doesn’t matter...
For in the Talmud,
even when a disagreement’s
outcome is revealed in advance
there’s a lesson to learn
when we pause and give chance
to hear all the sides
in a case to be known
one need not always win out
for to knowledge be sown.Take, for example,
the manner one lights
the candles
on each of the Hanukkah nights.On the first night of Hanukkah,
when anticipation’s most high
perhaps that’s a moment
when we might ask “why”......Why not light all of the candles
on that very first night
then with each passing day
slowly decrease the light.If one counted down
in this manner or way
Would much light be remaining
Hanukkah’s final, eighth day?Well for certain, on last night
when doth set the sun,
the lights, they’d diminish
to a mere count of one.This here position
did Shammai advocate
on the first night
to ignite the candles all eight
And with each passing evening the lights slow decrease
‘till none be remaining
the glow so to ceaseNow you know this isn’t the way
we illumine menorah today
instead as we start
one small light, warm one’s heart
each night after, add one light we may.Thus we arrive on this eve,
our menorah aglow,
all the candles are burning,
so bright, don’t you know!It’s the custom o’ to tell
from the great school of Hillel
who taught that it’s correct and right
to start with just one single light
and then each eve to add the same
until menorah all aflameTo explain his position
to make his case clear
Hillel’s grand conclusion
in Hebrew to hear.Ma-aleen ba’kodesh,
v’ein mo-ree-deen
The words that Hillel did teach.
In matters where holiness
enters our lives
‘tis always better
to increase one’s reach.It’s right and it’s good
it’s the way that one should
to start out with sanctity small
and then gradually
with blessing and glee
to increase joy for one and for all.It’s not just with lights
or with candles aglow
This principle’s true in all things
don’t you knowFor meaning and holiness
are great for us all
and when learning and doing
‘tis best to start small
From there to increase and improve with each day
‘till wholeness and comfort, thus with time, guide the way.Well, my poem it has ended
Silly rhyme, it is done
I hope it’s provided a moment for fun
As we go forth this evening
As we pray here tonight
I wish you happy Menorah’s
And to all a good light!!
