THE LIGHT BEYOND THE LIGHT — THE SECRET OF SHABBAT CANDLES

 THE LIGHT BEYOND THE LIGHT — THE SECRET OF SHABBAT CANDLES 

Why
do we light two small Shabbat candles when our dining rooms are already
brilliantly illuminated by chandeliers and electric lights? What are those
little flames actually illuminating? In this morning’s Breakfast and a Class,
we began with this simple question and discovered an extraordinary world hidden
within one of our most familiar mitzvot. Drawing upon the Gemara, the Ben Ish
Hai, the Zohar, and the teachings of the Arizal, we explored the deeper meaning
of the two candles, Zachor
and Shamor,
the relationship between husband and wife, and the mysterious Sukkat Shalom—the
canopy of Divine peace that descends upon the Jewish home as Shabbat begins. We
also examined the fascinating Kabbalistic connection between the candles, the
Divine Name Shaddai, and the transformation of judgment into mercy. 

But
perhaps the most moving part of our journey came through the Shelah HaKadosh
and the story of Hannah, whose heartfelt prayers brought Shemuel HaNavi into
the world. Why does the Shelah connect Hannah’s prayer with the moment a mother
lights her Shabbat candles? And how can two flames that burn for only a few
hours continue illuminating a family for generations? Along the way, we also
addressed a practical halachic question: What happens when we light candles and
leave for Shabbat dinner elsewhere, returning only after the candles have
burned out? Join us as we discover that the chandelier allows us to see everything in the room, but
the Shabbat candles remind us of everything that truly matters in the room.
Shabbat Shalom!