Let There Be Light

The spiritual light generated by a woman's Shabbat candles illuminates the home, not only on Shabbat, but also during the weekdays that follow. In this vein the Midrash tells us that the Shabbat lamps kindled by our Matriarch Sarah continued to burn for an entire week. Moreover, the miracle repeated itself whenever her daughter-in-law, our Matriarch Rivkah, lit her candles. And less visibly, the same miracle occurs whenever a Jewish woman or girl lights her Shabbat candles. Just as in the physical sense, a candle reveals the otherwise unseen contents of a room, so, too, in a spiritual sense, the Shabbat candles reveal the unseen and intangible G-dly energy which permeates our existence.

For centuries, lighting the Shabbat candles has been one of the most significant mitzvot bestowed upon Jewish women. Tradition recounts the miracle of our Matriarch, Sarah, whose Shabbat candles burned from Friday eve through the following Friday eve. Our sages tell of our Matriarch, Rivkah, who lit the Shabbat candles at the tender age of three.

The Shabbat lights are an eternal bond with our ancestors, our heritage and one another. Through these holy flames, we are forever united with generations to come.

The Holy Zohar teaches, "A woman kindling the Shabbat candles, with joy in her heart, brings peace on earth, health and happiness to her family, and is blessed with children who brighten the world with the light of tradition."

Because we live in a tumultuous world that can often challenge the Jewish spirit, lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday is now more important than ever. The flickering flame is a reflection of the divine spark within each of us.

A Jewish woman invites the Shabbat Queen into her home. Light is born. Darkness recedes. Behold the peaceful glow of the Shabbat lights.

It is truly a gift from on high.