In life, growth is not just about doing more of the same. Often, we find ourselves at a crossroads where we’ve reached a certain level of success, but the very things that helped us get there no longer serve us in moving forward. The phrase, “What got you here won’t get you there,” is a profound reminder that stagnation is not an option for growth. Just as we cannot expect to reach a higher level of holiness by relying on old habits, even good ones, we must refine and evolve our practices; as the adage, “sharpen the saw” — the idea that even the best tools require continual improvement.
A powerful way to reflect this concept is through the teachings of the Gemara about Chanukah (Shabbos 21b), specifically the differing opinions of Beis Hillel and Beis Shammai regarding the lighting of the Chanukah candles. Beis (house of study) Hillel says we should add one candle each night (1-8), while Beis Shammai suggests the opposite, starting with eight and decreasing each night (8-1). The reasoning behind Beis Hillel’s view, the final halachic ruling, is rooted in the idea of Mayla b’kodesh—that we are always meant to increase in holiness, never to go backwards.
This idea speaks to the essence of growth in spiritual life: once we begin to increase in holiness, there is no turning back. We must continue adding, not subtracting. In addition to lighting for the miracle of Chanukah, the simple act of lighting an additional candle each night is a visual reminder of our responsibility to grow spiritually, to elevate ourselves with each passing day, and to leave behind the habits and behaviors that no longer align with our highest purpose.
Letting Go of the Old Self
As we grow, we must be willing to let go of the old self—those past habits and patterns that served us in one stage of life but have no place in our higher, future selves. Think of it like adding a candle each night: as you progress, you leave the past behind by adding onto it. The old ways that once helped you reach your current position no longer hold the same value. The crucial insight is that if you continue holding onto them, you risk becoming stuck in a past that no longer has anything to offer.
The act of adding a candle each night represents an ongoing commitment to self-improvement and soul-improvement. We move forward by shedding the old, and embracing the new. This journey of spiritual ascent is not just about what we know, but about what we are willing to leave behind in order to expand to greater possibilities.
Mesiras Nefesh: Overcoming the Greek Mindset
Chanukah, in its deeper spiritual significance, teaches us about mesiras nefesh—self-sacrifice and dedication to Hashem’s will. The story of Chanukah is not only about the physical survival of the Jewish people under Greek oppression but also about the survival of the Jewish soul. The Greeks defiled the Heichal (sanctuary) and sought to corrupt the Shemen (oil), which in Chassidus represents the Jewish mind—our Chochmah (wisdom) and Bina (understanding).
The Greeks, with their rational, intellectual worldview, aimed to remove G-d from the equation of Torah and mitzvahs. They elevated seichel—human intellect, which can only comprehend the world through limited reason—above all else. In contrast, the Jewish approach is to serve Hashem with kabalas ol—accepting the Divine will not because it always makes sense, but because G-d commanded it. The Greeks wanted to replace emunah (faith) with seichel (intellect), but the essence of Torah observance lies in our unwavering faith in Hashem, even when we don’t fully understand His will.
Like the Greeks in the Chanukah story, society often elevates intellect—even attempting to measure G-d with the logic of science. But the truth runs deeper. Cognitive neuroscientists tell us that only about 5% of our brain activity is conscious, while 95% of our thoughts, actions, and behaviors are driven by the subconscious. This mirrors the miracle of Chanukah, where the few overcame the many. Instead of succumbing to subconscious habits, we must tap into our inner connection with Hashem to transform and transcend them.
Moving From One Way to Many
It’s easy to become attached to a single way of thinking or practicing something, especially when it has worked for us in the past. For example, in my own life, I found myself wanting to return to the meditations I first learned years ago taught by Dr. Joe Dispenza. His The teachings had helped me immensely, and my mind kept telling me, “This is the best way.” When I listened to testimonials of how people healed with the work, it only justified this thought. But sometimes Hashem leads us to greater and more holistic forms of growth. What worked in one stage of your life might not be the answer in the next. This is where a shift occurs—not just from one meditation technique to another, but from a mindset of “one way” to a mindset of many ways. Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, is opening us up to a broader range of possibilities—especially when those possibilities come from a source as holy and rich as the Torah.
A day before Chanukah, I had a powerful breakthrough in my meditation practice. After returning to a longer sleep schedule and dedicating a little less time to a form of Guided Jewish meditations something profound happened. It felt like I had unlocked something deeper within me. As I practiced, my heart and chest expanded, and I realized that in some ways, continuing with my old practices—like using Dispenza’s audios—was actually holding me back. I could feel my spiritual and emotional state shifting to a new place, as though I had just added a new candle to my inner flame. This felt connected to the theme of Chanukah, a victory over the Greek mindset of intellect, which attempts to replace G-d’s will with mere human reason. The breakthrough was the realization that by connecting to Hashem’s light and will, I was able to move forward with more power, more clarity, and more joy than before. Interestingly, it wasn’t just about remembering that Torah and mitzvahs are G-dly; it also involved infusing all aspects of life—even seemingly non-religious practices like meditation—with a source of holiness, bringing Hashem into everything I do.
There’s a story about two friends who met up years after they had gone their separate ways. One was wealthy, and the other was poor. The poor man was eating a hot dog, and as they spoke, a cat came and snatched the food. The poor man immediately ran after the cat, while the rich man continued talking, offering help. The rich man said, “I’m telling you how to improve your life, but you’re chasing after a hot dog. Don’t get stuck on the hot dog!"
This story is a perfect illustration of our own tendencies to get stuck in the past, holding onto things that no longer serve us. Whether it’s habits, thoughts, or behaviors, these “hot dogs” can distract us from what Hashem has in store for us. The lesson is clear: Don’t get stuck on the hot dog. Instead, let go of the past, and open yourself to the greater opportunities that are available in the present and future. As you light each new candle on your journey, trust that Hashem is leading you toward greater things. Hashem is trying to open you up to something much greater.
Keep Adding, Keep Growing
Like the lighting of the Chanukah candles, our spiritual journey is about constant growth, adding a little more light and holiness each day. Let go of what no longer serves you. Move forward with courage, and trust that Hashem is guiding you to a higher level of understanding, joy, and connection. As you add a candle each night, you are not only increasing the light in your life, but also advancing toward a future filled with greater holiness, deeper wisdom, and more profound blessings.
Keep the flame burning 🕎
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