SBHC Night Seder 2018: Shabbat Candles

(13) If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath, From pursuing your affairs on My holy day; If you call the Sabbath “delight,” The LORD’s holy day “honored”; And if you honor it and go not your ways; Nor look to your affairs, nor strike bargains— (14) Then you can seek the favor of the LORD. I will set you astride the heights of the earth, And let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob— For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

(2) Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: Anyone who enjoys the Sabbath will be rewarded with all his (her) heart's desires.

(1) With what [wicks] may one light [Shabbat lamps], and with what [wicks] may one not light? One may not light with moss [that grows in] cedars, nor with uncombed flax, nor with raw silk, nor with willow bast, nor with desert fiber, nor with weeds [growing] on water. Nor [may one light] with pitch, nor with wax, nor with castor oil, nor oil set for burning [consecrated oil that has become impure], nor with [the fat from] sheeps' tails, nor with forbidden fat. Nachum HaMadi says: One may light with boiled forbidden fat; but the Sages say: One may not light with forbidden fat whether it's boiled or not boiled.

Rav Nachman Bar Rava said in the name of Rav: Shabbat candles is an obligation. Washing hands and feet in hot water in the afternoon is optional, although some say it is a mitzvah.

Candle Lighting on Shabbat is obligatory: i.e., in the location of the Seudah, because there is an obligation to feast near the candles because of Oneg...

(1) The kindling of a lamp on Shabbat is not optional that if one wants, one kindles and if one does not want, one does not kindle. And it is not a commandment that we are not obligated to pursue until one has done it, for example an eruv for courtyards or lifting (i.e. washing) the hands before eating; rather, it is an obligation. And both men and women are equally obligated that a lamp be kindled in their houses on Shabbat. Even if one does not have anything he will [be able to] eat, he begs at the doors [of neighbors] and takes oil and kindles the lamp since this is [included] in the rule of enjoyment on Shabbat. And one is obligated to bless before the kindling: "Blessed are You LORD our God, King of the universe who makes us holy with His commandments and commands us to kindle a Shabbat lamp" in the way that one blesses over all things which one is obligated [to do] by the words of the Sages.

(This translation is only for the highlighted part. The Aruch Hashulchan is addressing the contradiction in the Mishna Torah regarding the motivation behind lighting candles. In one location Maimonides implies that the reasoning is like Rashi (Kavod Shabbos) but in a later source he ascribes it to Oneg Shabbat (like Tosofot)).

One must say that the mitzvah includes both Kavod and Oneg. When one lights in the place where they eat the meal, this is Kavod Shabbos, however in the other rooms of the house, this is a fulfillment of Oneg. Since this mitzvah contains both aspects of Shabbos it was given a unique blessing. An additional reason behind the blessing is that this is a woman's act of accepting the Shabbos.

Great is peace, for the Holy One, Blessed be He, did not begin to create one thing in HIs world until He had created peace- and this is what light is... as it states, "And G-d said, let there be light..."

We say a blessing (when lighting Shabbat Candles): For lighting (Shabbat) candles is a requirement in order that will have peace in our homes, so that one won't stumble on wood or stone...

Shabbat Candles are an obligation because of Shalom Bayit (i.e. peace in the house), so that a person should not trip over a stick or a rock. The candles need to be tall in order that they last the night, because without this, it is a blessing said in vain

Be meticulous to make sure to beautify the lighting of the Shabbat light. There are those who light two candles, in relation to the two ways we are commanded to honor Shabbat, remember Shabbat (Exodus 20:8), and to keep Shabbat (Deuteronomy 5:12)

Ramah: There are also those who light three or even four lights, which is their custom. You can always add to the light with more lights for additional family members, or for whatever reason, but you can never subtract.

(2) It is a mitzvah to (light) many candles in honor of the Shabbos. Some are accustomed to light ten (candles)³Symbolic of the Ten Commandments [Sheloh]. and others light seven (candles).⁴Representing the seven days of the week [Magein Avraham]. And in no event should less than two candles [be lit] symbolizing [the verses:] Zachor [Remember] and Shamor [Preserve].⁵Zachor, to remember, is the Mitzvas Asei, the positive commandment of Shabbos, and Shamor, to preserve, is the Lo Sa’asei, the prohibitive commandment of Shabbos. In time of pressing need⁶If one is poor and cannot afford candles and challah, the order of priority is challah, and then candles. After he has one candle he should buy other foods for Shabbos. Mishnah Berurah 263: 9. even one (candle) is sufficient. The candles should be long (enough) to burn at least until after the meal. And you should endeavor to buy the best candles, for Rav Huna said:⁷Maseches Shabbos 23b. "He who habitually practices the lighting of Shabbos candles; who endeavors to buy the best ones, will have sons that are Torah scholars." As it says: "For the mitzvah is a candle and the Torah is a light."⁸Proverbs 6: 23. Through the mitzvah of the (Shabbos) candle will come the light of the Torah. It is, therefore, fitting for the woman to pray at candle lighting time that the Holy One, blessed is He, grant her sons who are bright in the study of Torah. Prior to lighting candles it is good to give some charity. A woman who has trouble raising her children, or who has no children at all, should recite the Haftarah of the first day of Rosh Hashanah⁹I Samuel 1, 2–1–10. after lighting the candles. It is good if she understand what she is saying, and she should say it with concentration.

When one makes the blessing, they should recite " Blessed are You Hashem our G-d, Ruler of the world, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles.

Rama: Some say to make the Bracha before lighting. Some say to make it after lighting, and in order to accomplish "oveir le'asiyatan" (before the action), do not get pleasure from the candles until after the Bracha. [You can do this by] putting your hand over the candle after you light it, and then you make the Bracha, and then you take away your hand.

(3) The one who kindles need to kindle while it is still day, before the sunset. And women are commanded regarding this matter more than men since they are found in the house, and they busy themselves with the labor of the house. And even so, a man needs to take care and check them on this and say to the members of the household on the eve of Shabbat before it gets dark, "Kindle the lamp!" If it is doubtful [whether] darkness has fallen and [whether] Shabbat has entered or [whether it has] not, one does not kindle.

Both men and women are obligated to have a lit candle in their house on Shabbat.

A guest who does not have his own apartment and whose family at home is not lighting for him should join [in the candle lighting of his host family] by [giving them] a penny...

[Both men and women are commanded to light,] but women are more commanded than men, as it says in the Midrash: Since she extinguished the lamp of the world, meaning she caused the death of the first human. And the Rambam explains [that women are more obligated] because they are found at home and they take care of household needs.

If someone is lighting together with his wife, then he doesn't not need to light himself in his room, rather his wife can make the Bracha for him

I have called you the first, and have cautioned you concerning matters of "the first" (Challah tithe). The soul I have placed within you is called a candle, hence I have cautioned you concerning matters of candles ( lighting Shabbat candles). If you follow these, then great! If not, I will take back your souls!

(3) Women are more responsible, since they are present in the home and engaged in the household needs. If one lacks means to purchase a Shabbat lamp and kiddush for the day, the Shabbat lamp takes precedence. Similarly, if one lacks means to purchase a Shabbat lamp and a Hanukkah lamp, the Shabbat lamp takes precedence because of peace in the home, since there is no peace without a lamp. And if one lacks means to purchase wine for kiddush and a Hanukkah lamp, see Siman 678.

Rav Huna said: One who is accustomed to kindle lights on Shabbat and Hanukkah will be rewarded and have children who are Torah scholars, who will disseminate the light of Torah. One who is meticulous in performing the mitzva of mezuza merits a beautiful house on which to affix his mezuza. One who is meticulous in performing the mitzva of ritual fringes merits a beautiful garment. One who is meticulous in performing the mitzva of kiddush of the day merits and fills jugs of wine. The Gemara relates: Rav Huna was accustomed to pass by and teach at the entrance of the house of Rabbi Avin the carpenter. He saw that Rabbi Avin was accustomed to kindle many lights in honor of Shabbat. Rav Huna said: Two great men will emerge from here. Indeed, Rav Idi bar Avin and Rav Ḥiyya bar Avin, his two oldest sons, emerged from their family. On a similar note, the Gemara relates: Rav Ḥisda was accustomed to pass by and teach at the entrance of Rav Sheizvi’s father’s family home. He saw that Rav Sheizvi’s father was accustomed to kindle many lights in honor of Shabbat. Rav Ḥisda said: A great person will emerge from here.Indeed, Rav Sheizvi emerged from them.

Only highlighted part translated.

Therefore it is fitting for a woman to pray for her children to be great in Torah after she lights the candles.

Sons who are Torah scholars - as it says [Proverbs 6] "Because the commandments are candles, and Torah is the light": Through the mitzva of lighting shabbos and Chanukah candles, the light of Torah comes

(6) And you should endeavor to buy the best candles, for Rav Huna said:⁷Maseches Shabbos 23b. "He who habitually practices the lighting of Shabbos candles; who endeavors to buy the best ones, will have sons that are Torah scholars." As it says: "For the mitzvah is a candle and the Torah is a light."⁸Proverbs 6: 23. Through the mitzvah of the (Shabbos) candle will come the light of the Torah. It is, therefore, fitting for the woman to pray at candle lighting time that the Holy One, blessed is He, grant her sons who are bright in the study of Torah. Prior to lighting candles it is good to give some charity. A woman who has trouble raising her children, or who has no children at all, should recite the Haftarah of the first day of Rosh Hashanah⁹I Samuel 1, 2–1–10. after lighting the candles. It is good if she understand what she is saying, and she should say it with concentration.