The Talmud famously relates that Shammai’s expectations of individuals on the journey toward living authentic Jewish lives were more exacting than Hillel’s.
A similar idea is expressed in the debate between the schools of thought of Shammai and Hillel whether to light eight lamps on the first night and gradually diminish (Beis Shammai), or to light one on the first night and gradually increase (Beis Hillel). According to one explanation in the Talmud, Beis Shammai’s opinion reflects the pattern in which the 70 bull offerings were brought to the Temple over the course of the seven days of Sukkos: the greatest number of bulls was offered on the first day, with the number consistently decreasing on each of the subsequent six days, whereas Beis Hillel’s idea of gradual increase reflects the constant ascension demanded in all matters of holiness.
The Chanukah lamps, which commemorate the rededication of the Beis Hamikdash after it was defiled by the Greeks, represent the steps a person must take when seeking to return to the Divine service, after his inner Beis Hamikdash has become less pure than it should be.
The 70 bull offerings correspond to the 70 nations of the world; the gradual decrease in the offerings over the holiday of Sukkos is explained by our Sages as representing the mitigation of the nations’ harmful ways and the atonement of their sins.
According to Beis Shammai, the first thing a person must do when ready to genuinely serve G-d is rid himself of his internal ills and debasement, which is highly challenging at the start and requires tremendous strength and spiritual energy—symbolized by light, but eventually becomes easier as the negative becomes lessened.
Beis Hillel, however, tells the person desiring to rededicate himself not to wait until he has completed all the heavy lifting and cleansing. Instead, he should begin with a small holy act, and gradually increase the amount of energy he invests in good and positive things, until he is shining brightly and eventually will dispel all darkness and negativity.
--Likkutei Sichos, vol. 30, p. 302
