"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Chayei Sarah, 5764
Cheshvan 26, 5764
Nov. 21, 2003
SPECIAL FEATURE:
"Let There Be Light"
The Jewish Women's Guide To Lighting Shabbat
Candles
This week's issue is sponsored
in part by:
Mitzvahland - One Stop Judaica Shop
http://www.mitzvahland.com
1-877-505-7700
Visit TruePeace.org
Dedicated to educating the public regarding the
current situation in Israel, based on Torah
sources, with special emphasis on the opinion
and teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
NOTE:
The Table of Contents contains links to the text. Click on an entry
in the Table of Contents and you will move to the information selected.
"I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH.
"AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS
ARRIVAL."
Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12
THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH
Click here, to see pictures of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio)
- Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the 363rd
issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue, we focus on one of the Rebbe's Mitzvah
Campaigns, the laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting (which is one
of the three special mitzvot for Jewish
Women).(1)
Therefore, we present here "Let There Be Light - The Jewish Women's Guide
To Lighting Shabbat Candles," and other related material about
Shabbat Candle Lighting.
*
Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly
publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, for allowing
us to use their material.
Also, many thanks to our copy editor,
Reb Mordechai Staiman of blessed
memory, for his tireless efforts.
*
It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption
will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW!
Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov,
Administrator,
Committee for the Blind
14 Cheshvan, 5764
Brooklyn, New York
_______________
1. The other two are: Mivtzah Kashrut --
The Jewish Dietary Laws, and Mivtzah
Taharat Hamishpacha -- The Jewish Laws
of Family Purity.
Parshat Chayei Sarah
This week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, contains an account of the
first marriage mentioned in the Torah. This marriage, between Isaac and Rivkah,
affected and is a lesson for the Jewish people as a whole, and indeed the
future of the entire nation which was to follow.
In a spiritual sense, this union between the two progenitors of the Jewish
nation, symbolizes the relationship between the two components of each individual
-- the body and the soul. Rivkah was from Charan, a place which was primarily
materialistic. Isaac, on the other hand, symbolizes the spiritual dimension,
as he had already been consecrated as a "perfect offering" by his willingness
to be sacrificed upon the altar. Their marriage epitomized the unity between
these two contradictory concepts.
A Jew's soul, even when enclothed in a physical body, is totally at one with
G-d, for it is "an actual part of G-d." The mission for which it is sent
down into this corporeal world is to bring about a change in the material
realm, elevating physical objects by performing mitzvot. This unity
of the spiritual and the physical is achieved when the light of the soul
is reflected within the body, and the body becomes nullified to the demands
of the soul.
Ultimately, the unity achieved between body and soul should extend to the
point that it is obvious that all of a person's activities are performed
by both in tandem. Afterwards, this unity should be extended into the world
at large, so as to encompass every dimension of existence in the entire world.
In this manner, the Jew acts as G-d's emissary, transforming the world into
a dwelling place for G-dliness. Thus, the Jew becomes an extension of G-dliness,
in the same way that an emissary shares a single purpose and a single identity
with the one who sent him on his mission.
The ultimate goal of this unity between the spiritual and the physical is
the Era of Redemption, when this unity will be open and apparent. Our task
as Jews is to hasten this process by doing mitzvot and studying Torah,
for it was the giving of the Torah which allowed for the possibility of such
unity. Prior to the Torah's revelation on Mount Sinai, spirituality and
physicality, body and soul, were two distinct entities which could not merge.
When Moshiach comes, speedily in our day, the unity achieved through our
Torah service will be revealed in the world at large, and the union between
body and soul will be consummated.
As the children of Isaac and Rivkah, every dimension of our existence should
therefore be permeated by the awareness of this Divine mission, to make this
world a proper dwelling place for G-d.
The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that
"The time of our Redemption has arrived!" and "Moshiach is on his
way!"
The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this as
a prophecy, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption,
through increasing acts of goodness and kindness.
Let us all heed the Rebbe's call.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR
Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul
Staiman
Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763
Last Shabbat, Parshat Vayeira, the 20th of Cheshvan (Nov.
15), we commemorated the birthday of Rabbi Sholom DovBer (5621/1860-5680/1920),
the fifth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab.
It is said that on a person's birthday, the "spiritual source of the soul
shines powerfully." Therefore, it is important to understand what the central
point of the Rebbe Rashab's leadership was, and how it differed from
the other Chabad Rebbes.
The Rebbe explains how each of the Rebbes was characterized by a particular
dimension that reflected his individual nature.
Chabad Chasidus is characterized by the ability to make the esoteric
teachings of the Torah, which remained hidden from the majority of the Jewish
community, accessible to every single Jew. The Rebbe Rashab was able
to bring the teachings of Chabad Chasidus to an even more comprehensible
level than his predecessors.
The Rebbe Rashab's teachings put a great emphasis on summarizing subject
matter so that it could be more easily implemented into daily life. For this
he is referred to by many as the "Rambam (Maimonides) of
Chasidus," because he summarized Chasidus in the same way the
Rambam summarized the Oral Law, making it comprehensible and giving
it clear directions for every aspect of our conduct.
The lessons of the Rebbe Rashab are easily understood and are concluded
with directions for the practical application of those lessons.
In 5657/1897 the Rebbe Rashab established a yeshivah, Tomchei
Tmimim, and he was personally involved in every aspect of it, designing
the curriculum, and asking for a detailed progress report on each student.
He strove to raise both their standard of learning and their standard of
behavior. It was a great honor to be accepted into the yeshivah, and
its students were highly respected by the community.
The Rebbe Rashab published many of his teachings, which deal with
improving one's character, how to prepare for prayer and the importance of
prayer, and of studying Chasidus.
May we all benefit from his teachings.
* * *
There is a beautiful story concerning the Rebbe Rashab, illustrating
the high esteem in which he held every Jew.
One of the Rebbe Rashab's followers, Reb Monye Monissohn, was a wealthy
gem dealer. Once, when they were sitting together, the Rebbe spoke very highly
about some simple, unlearned Jews.
"Why do you make such a fuss about them?" Reb Monye asked the Rebbe.
"Each one of them has many special and noble qualities," explained the Rebbe.
"I can't see any of these qualities," said Reb Monye.
The Rebbe remained silent. A while later, he asked Reb Monye if he had brought
his package of diamonds with him. Indeed, Reb Monye had brought the diamonds,
but asked the Rebbe if he could display them later, when they could be seen
to their best advantage.
Later, Reb Monye took the Rebbe into a different room and arranged the diamonds
for him to see. Reb Monye pointed to one gem in particular, extolling its
beautiful color and quality.
"I can't see anything special in it," the Rebbe said.
"That is because you have to be a maven to know how to look at diamonds!"
explained Reb Monye.
"Every Jew, too, is something beautiful and extra-ordinary," the Rebbe said.
"But you have to be a maven to know how to look at him."
About the coming of Moshiach, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (the first Rebbe
of Chabad-Lubavitch), said that it will be written up in the newspapers.
That is just an expression. The actual meaning is that every single Jew will
be ready for the coming of Moshiach exactly as if it were written in the
newspaper that Moshiach is already on the way!
("Torat Sholom" of the Rebbe Rashab)
The following true story is adapted from a talk given by the Rebbe during
the fall of 1976.
The little Israeli girl was only five years old. One day, in school, a visitor
from Chabad told her class about lighting Shabbat candles. Although
she and her classmates were far below the age of bat mitzvah, declared
the young woman, they could nonetheless participate in this mitzvah.
When the little girl came home that Friday, and excitedly told her mother
about her new discovery, her mother replied that she knew nothing about this
whole business (she had received no Jewish education whatsoever). "Did you
ever hear of such a thing!" exclaimed the mother angrily. "A little girl
should want to do things that her own mother doesn't do, and bring new ideas
into the house!"
But we all know what young children are like. The little girl started to
cry and she pleaded with her mother. "I'm not asking you to do anything.
All I'm asking is that you should let me do it. I have a candle-holder; they
gave me one in school. I know the blessing; they also gave me a paper with
the instructions on when and how to light the candle. Please let me light
it!"
Mother gave in. "All right, do whatever you want. But stop crying, and leave
me in peace."
Our little girl was overjoyed. She put the candle on the dining room table,
lit it herself, made the blessing, and was in seventh heaven! She went around
from one member of the family to the other, warning each one of them in her
childish but serious way, that no one should touch her candle or blow it
out.
When mother and father saw that it wasn't so terrible after all, they let
her light the candle the next Friday without any fuss. The little girl again
lit it with the same delight and enthusiasm as the first week, and her infectious
joy spread to the rest of the family.
A few weeks went by. One Friday the father said that "it just somehow didn't
seem right" to have the television on with the little one walking around
the house singing Shabbat songs, and with the candle burning on the
table. While the candle was lit, he could not bring himself to turn on the
television. Some time later the telephone rang and mother did not answer
it, because the candle was still lit.
Weeks later mother surveyed the Friday night scene and decided that something
was wrong. How strange it looked to see just the single candle burning on
the table, to see her little daughter full of joy and telling everyone that
it was a holy day, etc., while she, the mother, was busy as if it were just
an ordinary day. "It just doesn't seem right! I'm going to start lighting
candles, too!" Once she started lighting candles, she could not bring herself
to turn on the oven. "After all, I have just declared in the blessing that
it is the Holy Shabbat; how can I now go ahead with making supper
-- and turn the oven on or off in violation of the Sabbath?"
No one likes cold food; so mother started to make "cholent" (the
traditional Shabbat stew allowed to cook from Friday afternoon until
Shabbat afternoon) for the midday meal. Naturally, the whole
"cholent" procedure affected the way they did things and the meals
they ate the next day, too.
Later, mother decided that since she was now lighting candles, she would
dress up in honor of the Friday night atmosphere.
And so it went on. From one thing to another. From one aspect of
Shabbat to another. From one small candle lit by one little girl following
a scene and tears; to refraining from doing work while the candle was still
burning; to the mother's beginning to light Shabbat candles; from
there to the wearing of nicer clothes in honor of Shabbat; and on
to refraining from all types of work prohibited on Shabbat.
Eventually the entire family and household became transformed. This family
has now returned completely to their tradition and heritage. All, because
of the light of one Shabbat candle!
The Jewish Women's Guide To Lighting Shabbat
Candles(2)
LIGHT IS BORN . . . DARKNESS RECEDES
Peace descends on the Jewish home every Shabbat.
The news of the day may tell of murder and mayhem, politics and pollution,
disease and disaster - indeed the global catalogue of human misery. For ours
is a threatening world. One in which the Jewish spirit is under constant
assault by hypocrisy, injustice and rampant immorality.
But there is a divine spark in each of us. And so, there is hope. For light
is a compelling force that will always triumph over darkness.
Fire touches wick. Flame reaches upward. Another home is bathed in peace
and holiness, in warmth and unity.
A Jewish woman has invited the Shabbat Queen into her home. The darkness
of the day's headlines recedes, exiled by the peaceful glow of candles.
It is truly a gift from on high.
All that is good, all that is holy is symbolized - indeed realized - in the
flickering light of the Shabbat candles:
-
Domestic harmony.
-
Dedication to G-d, Torah and Mitzvot.
-
Triumph of good.
-
Unending hope and faith in ultimate good.
* * *
Tradition recounts the miracle of our Matriarch Sarah, whose Shabbat
candles burned from Friday eve to Friday eve.
Our sages tell of our Matriarch Rivkah, who lit Shabbat candles from
the tender age of three.
Two millennia ago, the Holy Zohar declared that a woman kindling her
Shabbat candles with joy in her heart brings peace on earth, long
life to her loved ones, and is blessed with children who illuminate our world
with Torah.
And in our generation, the Rebbe said: "Let every woman - young girls included
- add her holy light to illuminate the world shrouded in darkness and confusion."
* * *
Lighting Shabbat candles is the historic responsibility of every Jewish
wife and mother. But in our times their light is not enough . . .
Today we also need the holy flame of every Jewish girl in order to keep the
forces of darkness at bay.
These are times when children look beyond home and hearth, in quest of their
own identity and the desire to create a meaningful life for themselves.
Let them hold a candle all their own . . . Let them kindle a flame of their
own . . . Let them bring their aspirations in sync with the divine warmth
of the Shabbat light.
Jewish Girls! Your mothers need you. Your people need you. Your future
as Jewish women cries out for you to enter its service now.
Jewish Mothers! As soon as your daughter is old enough to recite the
blessing, teach her to kindle her own Shabbat candle. Because darkness
is all around us, and only you have the power to drive it away.
_______________
2. Adapted from the brochure published by: The Lubavitch Women's Candle
Lighting Campaign.
-
A married woman customarily lights two candles and may add an additional
one for each of her children. Single women light one candle.
-
As soon as a young girl can grasp the idea of Shabbat and can recite
the blessing (approximately 3 years old) her mother should provide her with
a candlestick and teach her to kindle the Shabbat lights.
-
The child should light before her mother in case she needs assistance.
-
It is customary to put a few coins in a 'pushka' (charity box) before
lighting candles.
-
The correct time to light the Shabbat candles is 18 minutes before
sunset every Friday. Young girls should light just prior to this time.
Edited by Rabbi Y. K. Marlow(3) O. B. M.
-
A blind woman who lives alone should light her Shabbat candle(s) with
a blessing.
-
If she is married to a non-visually impaired person, her husband should
light the Shabbat candles with the blessing.
-
If she is eating and lighting in the company of others who are non-visually
impaired, and they lit the Shabbat candles, she should light her own
Shabbat candle(s), but without the blessing.
-
(If at all possible, she should not be the last one to light the
Shabbat candle(s), so that she could be absolved by the latter's
blessing.)
_______________
-
3. Head of Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights.
Just as candles are lit in honor of Shabbat, so are they lit in honor
of the festivals.
Various blessings are recited on the different festivals. (See our
"Festival/Holiday Guides" published before every Festival/Holiday, for the
proper blessings).
NOTE:
When lighting after the onset of a festival, a preexisting flame must be
used to light the candles, as it is prohibited to create a new fire by striking
a match or lighter, etc. However, it is permissible to use, or transfer live,
from a flame burning continuously since the onset of the festival - such
as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.
-
First light the candles. Then spread your hands out around the candles, drawing
your hands inward in a circular motion three times to indicate the acceptance
of the sanctity of Shabbat. You then cover your eyes and recite the
following blessing:
Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom
A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu
Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos Ko-desh.
Translation:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us
with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy
Shabbat.
-
Uncover your eyes and behold the Shabbat lights.
-
The time of lighting is considered especially propitious for praying to G-d
for health and happiness. The prayer is readily acceptable because it is
offered during the performance of this great mitzvah of lighting
Shabbat candles.
CAUTION:
The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset.
It is prohibited and is a desecration of the Shabbat to light the
candles after sunset.
Eight plus ten plus five is 23. Add to that 40, 6, 300, 100 and 1 and you
have the number 470. But 470 isn't just the sum of a random set of numbers.
In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. And the numbers listed above
are the numerical values of the Hebrew letters that spell the name of Rebbetzin
Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife.
One of the very first activities initiated in memory of the Rebbetzin was
"Project 470," a division of the Lubavitch Women's Organization Candle Lighting
Campaign. Esther Sternberg, coordinator of the campaign since its inception
at the Rebbe's behest in 1974, tells about the background of Project 470.
"We had scheduled our annual fund-raising event for the 26th of Shevat
that year (5748/1988). We sent the invitation to the Rebbe and received the
Rebbe's blessing. When the Rebbetzin passed away just days before the event,
which meant that it would take place during the shivah (the week of
mourning), we thought to postpone it. But, as we had already received the
Rebbe's blessing we decided to go ahead.
"At the evening itself," remembers Mrs. Sternberg, "we announced that we
were establishing a special fund in the Rebbetzin's memory that would be
devoted exclusively to publicizing, through newspaper and radio ads, the
special mitzvah of Shabbat candles."
At that point, the project did not yet have a name. It was through a comment
made by the Rebbe that this far-reaching project received its name. Explains
Mrs. Sternberg, "Right after the Rebbe got up from shivah, we were
told that the Rebbe wanted to see my father (Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gurary,
O.B.M.) and me. My father and I were both with the Rebbetzin in her last
moments, and we thought that maybe the Rebbe wanted to ask us some questions.
When we arrived in the Rebbe's office he was holding the invitation to our
evening. Someone had informed the Rebbe about the fund. The Rebbe wanted
to give $470 'al shem hanifteres' -- in the name of the departed --
and another dollar that the project should be a success."
Animatedly, Mrs. Sternberg describes the rest of the audience with the Rebbe:
"The Rebbe gave many, many blessings for the Candle Lighting Campaign and
said that anyone who inspires others to light Shabbat candles, as
well as those who begin to light Shabbat candles, 'yair mazalon'
-- their fortune will shine. The Rebbe showered blessings on anyone who would
be involved."
The main undertaking of Project 470 has been a classified ad on the front
page of the New York Times every Friday, reminding Jewish women and
girls to light Shabbat candles. The ad includes the correct time for
candle lighting that week in New York City as well as the computerized telephone
system (718-774-3000) that gives the candle lighting time for any location
in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This classified
ad has run consecutively for the last 16 years.
Mrs. Sternberg notes that she constantly receives calls for candle lighting
times around the world, which is not surprising, as the front page of the
New York Times is duplicated in all foreign editions as well. A system
to allow callers to receive computerized information for the entire world
is currently being created for Project 470.
Although there are hundreds of stories connected to the Candle Lighting Campaign
in general, Mrs. Sternberg retells one unique incident: "Exactly 25 years
ago, I was going to Israel. I saw many Jewish college students who were also
on their way to Israel in the El Al area at the airport. Always eager to
encourage more Jewish girls and women to light Shabbat candles, I
approached the young women and asked them if they light Shabbat candles.
They all answered affirmatively. They were very proud and excitedly told
me about their interaction with Chabad on their college campuses around the
country. I was elated by their positive responses."
Continues Mrs. Sternberg: "In those days the El Al security system included
booths that were electronically monitored. As I was planning on going to
a few European countries after Israel to talk about the Candle Lighting Campaign,
I had an entire suitcase full of candlesticks with me. I was afraid the metal
detectors would be set off by the candlesticks, so when I was about to enter
the cubicle, I told the security guard in Hebrew, 'I'm afraid to go in.'
He told me not to be afraid. He saw I was in a very good mood and commented
on it. 'You can't imagine how happy I am,' I told the officer, truly exuberant
over my conversations with the college students and my trip to Israel.
"'So, Madam, maybe you have neshek?' the officer asked me with a twinkle
in his eyes. I was sure that he had seen me talking with the students and
had seen me pull out some candlesticks from my suitcase." In Israel, the
Candle Lighting Campaign is well known as Mivtza Neshek.
Neshek, which literally means 'weapons' is an acronym for Neirot
Shabbat Kodesh -- Holy Shabbat Candles. "We consider
'Neshek' as one of the 'weapons' in the Rebbe's war against assimilation
and apathy.
"I said proudly, 'Of course I have Neshek, a whole suitcase full!'
Instantly an alarm was sounded and within seconds five police came running
to the little cubicle to arrest me."
With a chuckle, Mrs. Sternberg remembers, "I opened the suitcase and showed
them what was inside. 'I am talking about a different kind of Neshek
altogether,' I told them innocently."
The most important principle in the Torah is the protection of Jewish life.
It's more important than Shabbat, more important than holidays, even
fasting on Yom Kippur.
Right now, in Israel, and everywhere, Jews must stand together in unity and
do whatever possible to protect Jewish life.
The Rebbe taught that there are ten important
Mitzvot we can do to protect life. See what you can do:
1) Ahavat Yisroel: Behave with love towards another Jew.
2) Learn Torah: Join a Torah class.
3) Make sure that Jewish children get a Torah true education.
4) Affix kosher Mezuzot on all doorways of the house.
5) For men and boys over 13: Put on Tefillin every weekday.
6) Give Charity.
7) Buy Jewish holy books and learn them.
8) Light Shabbat & Yom Tov candles. A Mitzvah
for women and girls.
9) Eat and drink only Kosher Food.
10) Observe the laws of Jewish Family Purity.
In addition, the Rebbe also urged every man, woman and child to Purchase
a Letter in a Sefer Torah. There are several Torah scrolls
being written to unite Jewish people and protect Jewish life.
Letters for children can be purchased for only $1. Send your Hebrew name
and your mother's Hebrew name plus $1 to:
"Children's Sefer Torah,"
P. O. Box 8,
Kfar Chabad, 72915, Israel
or via the Internet, at:
http://www.kidstorah.org
Jewish Women and Girls Light Shabbat
Candles
For local candle lighting times:
consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center, or call: (718) 774-3000.
or:
http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/shabbos
For a free candle lighting kit:
contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
For a listing of the Centers in your area:
http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/general/shluchim.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).
Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ
Friday, Nov. 21, Erev Shabbat Parshat Chayei
Sarah:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(4) by 4:16 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22, Shabbat Parshat Chayei Sarah:
-
Blessing of the New Month, Kislev.(5)
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 5:19 p.m.
_______________
4. The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes before
sunset. It is prohibited and is a desecration of the Shabbat
to light the candles after sunset.
5. Rosh Chodesh Kislev is on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov.
26.
May the Shabbat candles, of the millions of
Jewish women and girls around the world,
illuminate our way, until we very soon see
the fulfillment of G-d's promise (as it is written
in the Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Beha'alotecha)):
"If you will observe the kindling of the Shabbat lights,
you will merit to see the lights of the redemption
of the Jewish people," speedily in our days, NOW!
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