“Maalin Ba-Kodesh, V’Ein Moridin – In matters of sanctity, we increase, and do not decrease.” This principle has numerous applications. Most famous is Hillel’s ruling (Shabbat 21A) that we increase the number of candles each night of Chanukah, while Shammai would have us begin with eight and decrease. A Kohen who serves temporarily as High Priest may not thereafter resume his lesser role as an “ordinary” priest (Horayot 12B). A synagogue building may be turned into a religious school (a step up in sanctity), but an institution of sacred learning may not be “downgraded” for use as a mere synagogue (see Megillah 3:1)!
“Maalin Ba-Kodesh” invites individual practitioners of Jewish tradition continually to add to our knowledge, to intensify our commitment, to increase our observance and celebration of Jewish religious life. “Ein Moridin” represents the concomitant obligation to safeguard against creeping laxity or occasional disengagement from expressions of Jewish piety.
As exemplars of Jewish scholarship and practice, religious leaders may find constantly increasing their commitment a daunting challenge. In determining their course (and consequently that of those who value their example), such accomplished leaders do well to recall the wisdom of Shalom Spiegel: “Precedent furnishes a floor beneath which legal practice will not sink, but above which it is free to rise.” Maalin Ba-Kodesh, V’Ein Moridin.
(Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser is the rabbi for Temple Emanuel of North Jersey and is the National Chaplain of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting.)
“Maalin Ba-Kodesh, V’Ein Moridin – In matters of sanctity, we increase, and do not decrease.” This principle has numerous applications. Most famous is Hillel’s ruling (Shabbat 21A) that we increase the number of candles each night of Chanukah, while Shammai would have us begin with eight and decrease. A Kohen who serves temporarily as High Priest may not thereafter resume his lesser role as an “ordinary” priest (Horayot 12B). A synagogue building may be turned into a religious school (a step up in sanctity), but an institution of sacred learning may not be “downgraded” for use as a mere synagogue (see Megillah 3:1)!