The mitzvah of Shabbat candle lighting

This week’s Torah portion, Parshas Chayei Sarah, recounts the remarkable journey of Eliezer, Avraham’s servant, as he travels to Charan in search of a wife for Yitzchak. Eliezer returned with Rivkah, the destined wife of Yitzchak. Upon Rivkah’s entry into Sarah’s tent, our sages reveal that three miracles, previously present during Sarah’s lifetime, returned: the Shabbat candles burned throughout the week; the bread possessed a special blessing; and a cloud of G-d’s glory rested upon the tent.

Fifty years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe launched a campaign emphasizing the vital importance of Shabbat candle lighting by Jewish women and girls. This initiative highlighted the transformative power of this mitzvah, as exemplified by Rivkah.

A poignant encounter in the 1990s underscores this lesson. Two Chabad Yeshiva students ventured into remote Alaska, sharing the light of Judaism with locals. During their visit to a school, a young girl proudly revealed her Jewish identity. Her mother, a fifth grade teacher, approached the students, requesting a message to inspire her daughter’s pride in her heritage.

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One yeshiva student shared the significance of Shabbat and the crucial role mothers and daughters play in ushering it in through candle lighting. He posed a question: “Where does the sun first set?” The girl replied, “Probably New Zealand or Australia.” The student continued, “Indeed, mothers and daughters in those lands are the first to welcome Shabbat, followed by those in Asia, Israel, Europe, North America and eventually here. As the sun begins to set in this city, it is as if G-d and the Jewish people all over the world await your candle lighting to bring the light of Shabbos to the entire world.”

What a profound and beautiful concept! Not only do the Jewish people and the world at large await our weekly infusion of spiritual light: It would seem that our ancestors on high, going all the way back to the matriarchs themselves, bask in the joyful light of our Shabbat candles and look on with pride as we embrace this special mitzvah.

Try it this week! Draw inspiration from Sarah and Rivkah. Through this simple yet profound act of Shabbat candle lighting, Jewish women and girls can illuminate their homes and the world, hastening the arrival of Moshiach.

Shabbat Shalom! PJC

Rabbi Shneur Horowitz is the director of Chabad Lubavitch of Altoona, Pennsylvania. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabonim of Greater Pittsburgh.