From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Tuesday, November 4, 1997 11:19 PM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Lighting the Sabbath Candles

From:          Messianic Rabbi Othniel
To:            <heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com>
Subject:       Re: Lighting the Sabbath Candles


>  When in the  Shabbot meeting a woman lights the candles
> why does she move her hands over the candle three times??
> Than cover her eyes??
>
> Shalom Daisy
>

  Dear Daisy,

  Normally in Judaism, a blessing is given before an activity is enjoyed.
However in the case of the Sabbath, the candles are lit first then the
blessing is said, for it is a violation of Scripture to kindle a fire on
the Sabbath. Some rabbinic authorities believe that Shabbat begins with the
lighting of the Sabbath candles. I am in agreement with this thought. 
Therefore, my wife concludes her week of work by kindling the Sabbath
candles and then says the blessing which ushers in the Sabbath in our
house.

  As for the covering of the eyes and the passing of the hands three times
over the candles, you've probably noticed that when this is done, it's as
if the light is being drawn toward the woman.

  Our sages of blessed memory tell us that because of Eve's disobedience,
the light went out of the world. Therefore it is fitting that her
decendants be responsible for bringing His light back into the world. This
is done symbolically each Sabbath which symbolizes our rest in Him.  With
the first passing of the hands the woman brings the light into her home,
the second pass she brings the light to her family, and the third and final
pass she brings the light to herself.  The woman's head is usually covered
as a sign of her submission to G-d's commandments.

  In Messiah,

  Rabbi O.
__________________________________
Rabbi Yehoshua M. Othniel
Kehilat Ami Echad
P.O. Box 1452
Independence, KS  67301,  U.S.A.

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