לזכות רפואת משה בן מלכה ולע"נ עליזה רחל בת ר' חיים צבי ור' חיים צבי בן אליהו
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ הַ֭לְלוּ עַבְדֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הַֽ֝לְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה׃
Praise Hashem. O servants of Hashem, give praise; praise the Name of Hashem!
Chazal say that the days of Chanukah were established as days of הלל והודאה - praise and thanks. Hallel is light [see Iyov 29-3 "בהלו נרו עלי ראשי"] and joy. Hoda-a is awe and being subordinate. The more one becomes elevated and joyful with Hashem - the more he becomes subordinate, humble and filled with Yirah. This is a sign that his love of Hashem is real and lasting. That is the meaning of the pasuk "יראת ה' טהורה עומדת לעד" - The fear of Hashem is pure and lasts forever. What brings to true Yirah [love and excitement] lasts forever! So is the character of the Jewish people - when Hashem shines his light on them and redeems them they become more humble.
That is the meaning of the pasuk הללויה הללו עבדי השם - Through the joy of Hallel they become more subservient.
The Gemara says that the Rabbis only decreed that these days should be of Hallel and Hoda-a the NEXT YEAR. What took so long? It was only after the Rabbis saw that through the redemption the Jews become MORE subservient and humble, they made the decree that these should be days of Hallel and Hoda-a, knowing that since the Jews have the right attitude, it would last. The Gemara says "קבעום" - it was firmly established. When the Hoda-a is combined with Hallel it can be firmly established!!
Beis Hillel says that we light in ascending order. That symbolizes love. More and more. A burst of emotional closeness with Hashem. Beis Shammai says that we light in descending order. That symbolizes our Yirah. These two opinions parallel Hallel [the opinon of Beis HILLEL] and Hoda-a [the opinion of Beis Shammai].
Hallel is the joy of the soul. Hoda-a is the "admission" [הודאה means to admit - when we says מודים we bow] and subordination of the body. On Chanukah the body "admits" that the soul is in charge!!
