On Shabbat, we typically light two candles.
Why? Because in the Torah the Ten Commandments are repeated twice, the first time in Exodus 20 and the second time in Deuteronomy 5.
In each of these, the commandment about Shabbat is slightly different, in Exodus 20:8 we are told to “remember” (zachor) the Sabbath day to keep it holy. In Deuteronomy 5:12, we are told to “observe” (shamor) the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Thus the rabbis of old say we light two candles on Shabbat, one to represent “remember” and one to represent “observe”. The act of “remembering” is passive, while the act of “observing” is active. Shabbat requires that we do both: we remember our history, while we do something physical to make Shabbat our own unique experience.
We light candles because the flame is a symbol of God’s divine presence. It is symbolic of the spark of goodness in each of us. Light one candle in a dark room and the entire room is illuminated by the warmth and glow of that single flame.
Shabbat is also said to be a taste of that time to come when the world will be filled with the divine sparks within each of us and when each of us can see the divine sparks in the other. No more war, no more violence, no more bloodshed, no more hatred.
This week, we observe Shabbat during a special period of time on the Jewish calendar: Following on the heels of last week’s observance of Yom Hashoah, (Holocaust Remembrance Day), this week we observed Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day for those who died in wars in Israel) and Yom Ha’atz’ma’ut (Israel Independence Day). These days remind us of the sacrifices made for the State of Israel and the resilience and hope that define our people. This year, however, the weight feels heavier in the wake of the tragic events of October 7th, the growing unrest on college campuses, and the increasing open display of antisemitism across the globe.
Yom Hazikaron calls us to remember and honor those who have given their lives for Israel. As we light the Shabbat candles, let us also light a flame of memory in our hearts, honoring their courage and dedication. This act of remembrance strengthens our communal bond and reinforces our commitment to peace and security.
Yom Hazikaron ended on Monday evening, and immediately as it ended, Yom Ha'atzma'ut began. As we made this transtion, we shifted from mourning to celebration, embracing the miracle of Israel's existence. The same candles that symbolize memory and grief now illuminate our joy and pride. They remind us that despite challenges and sorrow, we must hold onto hope and look forward to a brightly lit future filled with promise.
Amid all that is plaguing our people at the moment, the Shabbat candles also represent a beacon of unity and strength. They call us to stand firm in our values, to engage in respectful dialogue, and to support one another. The light encourages us to be voices of reason and compassion in a world that often feels divided.
Let us join together this Shabbat, united by the light of our candles, to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to an envisioned future. May their glow guide us through these difficult days, reminding us of the resilience and enduring spirit of our people
As we gaze into the glowing flames of the Shabbat candles, let us also remind ourselves that we can be the spark that can either ignite acts of goodness in others, or can fan the flames of hatred or enmity. We pray that the flames will ignite passion for righteous deeds, acts of love, the pursuit of peace.
I invite you to join with the greater Orange County Jewish community this Sunday, March 19th, from 12 noon – 4 pm, as we stand together in strength, unity, and solidarity to celebrate Yom Ha’atzma’ut at the Merage JCC in Irvine. Information can be found below.
