Shabbat. Shabbos. The Sabbath.
Once a week, each Friday around sundown, my family gathers to light two candles. The light generated by these candles is symbolic of spiritual energy. It signals to us that the day of rest is here. It is time for us to pause and reflect on our week, and on our inner spiritual lives. We break bread (challah), share a home-cooked meal as a family, and disconnect from our daily routine in order to connect with a deeper, more important energy.
We look forward to Shabbat. In this energetic, frenetic world where negativity abounds, Shabbat is like the ultimate spiritual reset.
For Jews, Shabbat is the holiest day of the week, a time to study Torah and absorb its teachings. But Shabbat is so much more than a religious ritual. Now, with the many rapid changes happening in our society, I feel like Shabbat is something we could all benefit from. It is a time to pause, reflect, learn and grow. It is an opportunity to absorb the lessons that are all around us, should we choose to pay attention.
I feel incredibly privileged to live in America, a democracy, where we are free to express our feelings and make our voices heard. Every side and viewpoint deserves to be heard, understood, and respectfully debated — unless that viewpoint rises from a place of hatred, intolerance, or injustice. I see far too much hatred and division in our country right now, and it scares me for our children and our future. The more we work to understand each other with empathy and compassion, the more we will unite to find a better way forward.
As I light the candles this evening, I am committing myself to illuminate the darkness. This weekly ritual of lighting candles each Friday at sundown is a reminder that we are all connected, and part of something much bigger than what we see on television or in our Facebook feed. I welcome you to join me, this evening and every Friday evening moving forward, whether your are religious, non-religious, spiritual, atheist, or simply conscious of our collective need for a brighter future. Let us light two candles every Friday evening. Let us unite our energy to remain open, act with empathy, and spread Light into the world.
Tori, I’ve gotten a ton of recipes from the “web” and your site is one that I know I can always count on for amazing kosher recipes that are easy, explained well and delicious. Thank you do much for sharing your art (cooking).
Rebecca in Jerusalem
That is so kind of you to say Rebecca. Thank you so much for taking the time to write!
Made your hamantaschen and so pleased with pastry taste. Added whisky to the poppy seeds mix. Yum!
My husband and I are both Jews by Choice. We light our candles every Friday night (we use 4 – one for each of our families and one for each of the very precious pooches with which we’ve been blessed). There’s something special about lighting the candles, chanting the prayers, and enjoying our Shabbat that we really never had with Christianity. In a world filled with divisiveness, it seems, we rejoice with all those who light candles with us.
this is a wonderful article
Hi Tori
I read with interest your journey to the Jewish faith. I love Jewish history. They have some wonderful long time traditions, one of which you describe so wonderfully. Being a Seventh Day Adventist, I read in the scriptures of the origins of Isreal and its sometimes difficult past. But what a history. It is unfortunate that the Saviour is unrecognised.
Thankyou for the lovely recipes. I’ve made quite a few.
Kind regards
Graeme Beeson
“It is UNFORTUNATE” that the “savior” is unrecognised?? What GAUL you have…or as we like to say “CHUTZPAH!!” I am of Jewish heritage on both sides ALL the way back to Abraham—-and I TRULY do not appreciate nor respect an individual from the 7th day adventist crowd saying that we are MISSING something from our magnificent and beautiful heritage from which YOUR savior gleaned all of his wisdom. Possibly an 8th day will help you figure it out and not be so obviously ignorant enough to actually post such an offensive remark. `WE ARE MISSING NOTHING’…We have EVERYTHING that was,is,and will ever be needed.
As non Jewish yet Torah pursuant believers we do not always light the candles. But we do join you weekly in entering into Shabbat, where we let the week go, focus on HaShem, and just enjoy the rest He’s given, & yes commanded, us to observe.
I really enjoy your recipes, the latkes came out great during our Hanukkah party 🙂
How lovely, thank you for sharing. I also very much enjoyed reading all of the positive posts. It is nice to know we can come from so many different backgrounds yet, still come together in spreading Light and for the greater good. Blessings, Light and Love
Thank you for sharing….
This world that we all share, will definitely be a better place 2 live in, if we all take a little time off 2 reflect and give thanks 4 all the little things, and good this wonderful planet has 2 offer.
Many thanks 4 sharing your thoughts
What a delight to read this e-mail. I had no idea that you felt this way. I really appreciate your personal invitation. I totally agree with you about the Sabbath!!!! What a blessing to be able to actually experience this phenomenon every week. It truly is a spiritual refreshing. You don’t know me and I don’t really know you, and yet we are connected through the TORAH. It’s the best connection ever. On this Sabbath I pray blessing to you and your home.
Chris
I am so uplifted by your writing and will keep in mind the light you are spreading. I am a cancer survivor who is now faced with a recurrence. The angels who care for me include you and your light. Thanks you.
Patricia