Why increase?

One of the important themes and universal messages of Chanukah is the importance of continually  increasing. We can’t be satisfied by the spiritual accomplishments of yesterday, we have to add today.

The question is, why? Why is it so important to increase? We’ve accomplished something of value, we’ve achieved a measure of success, why is it so integral to add to it?

The reason is simple, but extremely important to realize: if we’re not moving up, we’re moving down. There is no option of remaining stationary.

Allow me to explain. We are made of a physical body and a G-dly soul. Our physical side is continually pulling us down; in order to be reaching higher we must overpower the downward pull of the body.

It’s like trying to run up a down escalator. Have you ever tried that? As long as you are running up fast enough you will go higher, if you slow down you might remain in one spot. But if you stop, you will be going down.