5784/2023
We are all familiar with the famous Machloket between Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel regarding the proper way to light Chanukah candles. Beit Shammai say "Pochet VeHolech"—you start with eight, and every night you light one less candle . Beit Hillel say, "Mosif VeHoleich"—you start with one, and every night you add a candle.
There are various ways to understand this machloket, both in Nigleh HaTorah, the revealed Torah, and in Nistar HaTorah, the hidden aspects of Torah. One explanation for Beit Hillel’s opinion is rooted in a fundamental teaching from the Seforim HaKedoshim in this week's Parashah.
The pasuk says, “Eileh Toledot Yaakov, Yosef,” (BeReishit 37:2). The phrasing of this Pasuk raises questions. Rashi provides several explanations: The first explanation links Yaakov Avinu's journey to the episode of Yosef, the second, based on a Midrash, emphasizes Rachel and Yosef as the key to Yaakov's survival against Lavan, and a third illustrates the parallelism of Yaakov and Yosef's lives.
However, the Beit Ahron of Karlin goes deeper, connecting Yaakov Avinu to Klal Yisrael and Yosef to the Middah of growth (as Yosef means to increase). According to the Beit Aharon, a person's primary way to excel in Avodat Hashem is to continuously grow. Being a Yosef, or a Mosif, means constantly renewing oneself, moving forward, and finding new ways to serve Hashem despite setbacks.
Other Tzadikim explain it in a slightly different way. In the world of Gashmiut, we should be humble and content with what we have, understanding that all comes from Hashem. In Ruchniut, however, one should always strive for more. In Avodat Hashem, viewing oneself as never done and always striving to increase (Mosif) their Avodat Hashem is crucial.
This aligns with Rashi's explanation regarding Yaakov wanting to sit "BeShalvah”, in peace, content. Despite this desire, “Kafatz Alav Rigzu Shel Yosef,” he realized the importance of being a Mosif.
With these understandings it is clear that Beit Hillel’s Mehalech was telling us to always be a Mosif, to always be growing, increasing, and finding new ways to serve Hashem, ultimately increasing our Avodat Hashem. Finally, one should never feel as if they are done in their growth, being a Mosif means to increase and grow in your Avodat Hashem always.