Intro to Halakha and Rabbinic Judaism: Study Texts

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi also said: When Moses ascended on high [on Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah], the ministering angels spoke before the Holy Blessed One: "Sovereign of the Universe! What business does a mortal have among us?"

"He has come to receive the Torah," answered God.

The angels replied, "That secret treasure, which has been hidden by You [since] before the world was created? You desire to give to flesh and blood!? [...]

God said to Moses, "Reply to them with an answer."

Moses said before Him, "Sovereign of the Universe, I am afraid they might incinerate me with their breath!"

God said to him, "Hold onto My throne of glory and reply to them with an answer." [...]

Moses said to Him, "Sovereign of the Universe, the Torah that you give me, what is written in it?"

"'I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt (Ex 20:2).'"

Moses said to them, "Did you go down to Egypt? Were you enslaved to Pharaoh? Why should you get Torah?"

[Moses:] "What else is written in it?"

"'You shall have no other gods (Ex 20:3).'"

"Do you live among nations of idol worshippers?

What else is written in it?

"'Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy (Ex 20:8).'"

[Moses:] You don't do any creative labor, so what do you need with rest?

What else is written in it?" "'You shall not swear (tisa) [falsely by God's name] (Ex 20:7).'" [Moses:] Is there business (masa) conducted among you?

What else is written in it? "'Honor your father and your mother (Ex 20:12).'" [Moses:] Do any of you have a father or mother?

What else is written in it? "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal (Ex 20:13-15).'" [Moses:] "Is there jealousy among you? Is the evil impulse among you?"

Immediately the angels conceded to the Holy One.

The Sages taught: The mitzva of Hanukkah is each day to have a light kindled by a person, the head of the household, for himself and his household. And the mehadrin, i.e., those who are meticulous in the performance of mitzvot, kindle a light for each and every one in the household. And the mehadrin min hamehadrin, who are even more meticulous:

Beit Shammai (house or school of Shammai) say: On the first day one kindles eight lights and, from there on, gradually decreases the number of lights until, on the last day of Hanukkah, he kindles one light.

And Beit Hillel say: On the first day one kindles one light, and from there on, gradually increases the number of lights until, on the last day, he kindles eight lights.

......

Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: There were two Elders in Sidon, and one of them acted in accordance with the opinion of Beit Shammai, and one of them acted in accordance with the opinion of Beit Hillel. Each provided a reason for his actions.

One gave a reason for his actions: The number of lights corresponds to the bulls of the Festival (of Sukkot - more bulls are offered on the first day and it decreases on each subsequent day of the holiday).

And one gave a reason for his actions: The number of lights is based on the principle: One elevates to a higher level in matters of sanctity and one does not downgrade.

All seven days of Sukkot, a person makes his sukka his permanent residence and his house his temporary residence. If rain fell, from when is it permitted to vacate the sukka? It is permitted from the point that it is raining so hard that the congealed dish will spoil. The Sages told a parable: To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a servant who comes to pour wine for his master, and he pours a jug [kiton] of water in his face [to show him that his presence is not desired. So too, in the sukka, rain is an indication that the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not want the person to fulfill the mitzva of sukka.]