“ZOS Chanukah” (This is Chanukah)!
The eighth and final day of Chanukah is given this name because of the Torah reading for the final day which contains the passage “Zos chanukas hamizbeiach,” “this is the dedication of the altar.” And the word “Chanukah” is rooted in the word “chinuch” (dedication).
The entire eighth day of Chanukah is termed “This is Chanukah” because it encapsulates all of Chanukah.
The two sages Shammai and Hillel disagreed on how we should light the Menorah. Beit Shammai maintained that the lights should be lit in descending order, the first night we light all eight candles and the next day seven, the next six, etc…) Beit Hillel, however, differed and maintains that the lights should be lit in ascending order, on the first night one, the second night two and so on till all the eight lights are lit. The Halachah (Jewish Law) favored Hillel.
What is the difference? Beit Shammai was of the opinion that we look at matters as they are in their potential state, so the first night all eight lights are lit encompassing the potential of all the days of Chanukah.
On the other hand Beit Hillel, looked at life as we are in actuality. Therefore we light according of the actual day of Chanukah.
This teaches us that Chanukah emphasizes the superiority of the actual over potential.
Beit Shammai holds the view that Torah reflects the perspective of the Giver (G-d)and Torah and Mitzvahs should be regarded in their potential state, since from the perspective of H”S, actuality already exists within Divine potential.
According to Beit Hillel the actual is what is important regarding the recipient (us). H”S made a world in which our actions matter. Therefore, until we don’t do the actual mitzvah nothing has been accomplished.
This applies so much more in regard to Chanukah, which is %connected to the recipient (us) and it is a holiday which is been decreed by our sages and not the Torah. So it is only today, the eighth day of Chanukah, when all eight lights have actualized that we say “This is Chanukah.”
The power of today and what can be achieved by us normal people,say our Sages, is stronger than what Tzadikim can achieve on Yom Kipur on Neilah.”
