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Religious Objects Religious Living Temple
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Religious Objects Religious Living Temple
Israel Home Page
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"For the mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah a light" |
| Our tradition
incorporates the light of a flame in many of our
celebrations. On Friday nights, it is a mitzvah to put
aside our work and welcome Shabbat by lighting candles in
our homes. They are traditionally lit at least 18 minutes
before sunset, in the room where the Sabbath meal is to
be eaten, to indicate that the lights are to honor
Shabbat. The Reform tradition includes the custom of the
lighting both at the dinner table where the family has
gathered, and on the bima at Friday night services, as a
symbol for the whole community. The kindling of lights is
a fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah's promise that if you
call the Sabbath a joy [oneg], you shall have joy with
God. (Isaiah 58:13-14). Though it is a custom in some households to light many candles, one for each member of the family or for each child, at least two should be used. The two represent the different commands Zachor (Remember) and Shamor (Observe) mentioned in connection with Shabbat in the versions of the Ten Commandments that appear in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, respectively. Usually a blessing is said before the performance of a mitzvah. However, the blessing over the candles inaugurates the holiness of Shabbat, and the lighting of a fire is then prohibited, being one of the traditional, proscribed definitions of work. Therefore, on this occasion, the candles are lit first. The person lighting them sometimes covers or shields his or her eyes while reciting the blessing. By this device, the already lit candles are enjoyed for the first time when the eyes are opened, and it is thus considered that the blessing was said before the candles were lit. Some people have a tradition of waving their hands around the candles as if to draw the light toward themselves, and the custom is said to have originated with the mystical tradition of welcoming Shabbat into your home as if she were a royal bride. "Come let us welcome Shabbat. May its radiance illumine our hearts." |
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Baruch
atah Adonai, Eloheynu melech ha-olam, a-sher kid'shanu
b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu le-had-lik ner shel Shabbat. |
Religious Objects is produced by Steve
Butterfass and Eric Bonnell
