This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard, Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Two ancient rabbinical schools, the schools of Hillel and Shamai, once argued about the correct way to light the Chanukah candles. Hillel argued we should light one candle on the first night and then increase the number of candles every night. Shammai argued the opposite, that one should light eight candles on the first night and reduce the number of candles lit every subsequent night. Hillel’s view won out, and that is how the candles are lit to this day.

But why? For the school of Shammai, each day of the festival that passed was one less day of holiness, lamenting that we cannot reclaim the light we fail to light or the good deed

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