The Woman’s Three Special Mitzvot

There are three fundamental Mitzvos entrusted to every Jewish woman.

Separating Challah “from the first of your dough” shows that before benefiting from anything in this world, we “set aside an offering for G-d.” By knowing that the beginning of everything is for G-d, the entire home becomes a dwelling place for Him.

Every day the High Priest kindled the Menorah’s lights, brightening the Holy Temple and the entire world with divine light. The Midrash teaches that this G-dly luminescence will return in the merit of Jewish women lighting Shabbos candles, brightening their homes and passers-by with the light of Torah and Mitzvos.

The “Well of Miriam” provided the Jews in the desert the ability to perform the Mitzvah of family purity. This commandment is so vital that the entire Jewish people, and even G-d Himself, waited an entire week in the desert until Miriam could proceed with them.