תלמוד בבלי שבת כא:
ת"ר מצות חנוכה נר איש וביתו... ב"ש אומרים יום ראשון מדליק שמנה מכאן ואילך פוחת והולך וב"ה אומרים יום ראשון מדליק אחת מכאן ואילך מוסיף והולך
Our Rabbis taught that the mitzvah of Hanukkah is for each person to light the candles in their own home... Beit Shammai maintains: On the first day (of Hannukah) eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced; but Beit Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased.
[Adapted from the Soncino Translation of the Babylonian Talmud]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1.) Why do you think that Beit Hillel holds this way? What about Beit Shammai?
2.) Which one makes the most sense to you?
3.) Which one do we practice today?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)