Zohar HaKadosh on the Hidden Meaning of Shabbat Candles
Zohar HaKadosh on the Hidden Meaning of Shabbat Candles
“The women of the holy nation are commanded to light Shabbat candles. And the Sages explained the reason: Chavah extinguished the Candle of the World and brought death into the world through the sin of eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. She gave Adam a taste of it, thereby bringing darkness into the world. The mitzvah of lighting candles rectifies Chavah’s transgression.
The secret of this rectification is that on Shabbat, the Sukkah of Shabbat shines — the sefirah of Binah — the source of all souls, the Mother of the World. A special Light emanates from her on Shabbat. From there we also receive an additional soul on Shabbat — the Neshamah Yeteirah. By lighting the candles, a woman performs the act of “itaruta deletata” — an awakening from below, in order to bring about an awakening above. In other words, by lighting the candles, a Jewish woman (the mother) inspires the Supernal Mother above — Binah — to bestow additional souls, holy souls, upon her sons; that is, to kindle the higher spiritual Candles.
Therefore, a woman should light the candles with special kavanah (intention), with joy in her heart, recognizing that this is an honor and a great merit for her.
For this, the L-rd will grant her sons, so that they will become Candles for the world. And her husband’s years will be prolonged.”
(Zohar on Toldot, Sulam, translated by Tzvi Nisan Zon)
The gematria of the word נר candle = 250. Two candles: “Zachor” (remember the Shabbat day; this candle corresponds to the husband) and “Shamor” (observe it; this corresponds to the wife) = 500.
The gematria of the expression פרו ורבו — “P'ru ur'vu” — is also 500.
Chazal teach that a man’s body has 248 limbs, while a woman’s body has 252, together equaling 500.
This hints that when a Jewish woman lights two Shabbat candles, she builds her home, strengthens her relationship with her husband, and gives birth to children.
(“The Hidden Light of Shabbat,” M. Glazerson)
Lighting the Candles:
Shabbat candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset.
Sephardim first recite the blessing and only then light the candles; Ashkenazim light the candles and then recite the blessing:
“Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat!”
(Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat lights.)
“Yehi ratzon milfanecha, A-donai Eloheinu v'Elohei avoteinu, she-yibaneh Beit HaMikdash bimheirah v'yameinu, v'ten chelkeinu b'Toratecha. V'sham na'avdecha b'yirah kimei olam u'keshanim kadmoniot. V'earvah la-A-donai minchat Yehudah v'Yerushalayim kimei olam u'keshanim kadmoniot.”
Prayer for the Well-Being of One’s Husband by the Shabbat Candles:
“Yehi ratzon milfanecha, Ad-nai Eloheinu, v'Elohei avoteinu,
Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak v'Elohei Yaakov, she-tishmor
v'tintzor v'titor tamid et ba'ali mikol nezek, u'mikol ra,
u'mikol choli, v'titen lo chayim tovim, chayim arukim,
chayim shel osher v'chavod.
V'titen lanu zera shel kayama u'vanim hagunim v'tzadikim,
v'tita beineinu tamid ahavah v'achavah, shalom v're'ut, v'tita
b'libeinu ahavatecha v'yiratecha, la'asot retzonecha u'l'ovdecha
b'levav shalem k'yichudim k'sherim. V'la'asot tzedakah v'chesed
im amcha Yisrael, u'tvarech et ba'ali b'rachah sh'leimah b'rov oz
v'shalom, kadavar shene'emar, yevarechecha Ad-nai v'yishmerecha.
Ya'er Ad-nai panav elecha vichuneka. Yisa Ad-nai panav elecha v'yasem
lecha shalom. Vene'emar Ad-nai yishmerehu v'yichayeihu v'ushar ba'aretz.
Amen, ken yehi ratzon.”
Translation:
(May it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our fathers, G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac, and G-d of Jacob, to always protect, guard, and preserve my husband from all harm, all evil, and all illness. Grant him a good and long life, with prosperity and honor. Grant us healthy, worthy, and righteous offspring. Plant among us constant love, brotherhood, peace, and friendship. Instill in our hearts love and awe of You, so that we may act in accordance with Your will and serve You wholeheartedly, as righteous Jews, practicing justice and kindness toward the people of Israel. Bless my husband with a complete blessing, with abundant strength and peace, as it is said: “May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe. May the L-rd bless you and protect you. May the L-rd shine His countenance upon you and be gracious to you. May the L-rd lift His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” And it is said: “May the L-rd preserve him and keep him alive; may he be happy upon the earth.” Amen; may it be Your will.)
Prayer for Children Before the Shabbat Candles:
“Ribbon kol ha-olamim, ram al ramim, sh'ma t'filat ba'ei adecha, l'vakesh rachamecha v'chasadecha. T'zakeini b'rov chemlatecha, l'gad el banai la'avodatecha, b'nachat v'lo v'tza'ar. V'lo yevoshu, ki yedaberu et oyevim bashaar. V'yihyu memulachim u'mezorazim baTorah. V'yitparnesu mitachat yadecha b'nikiut u'v'shofi, v'lo yimatz'e vahem shemetz dofi. V'eineinu ro'ot b'simchatam, b'Toratam u'v'hatzlachatam. Yihyu l'ratzon imrei fi, b'ad olalai v'tapai. V'yikhashev l'fanecha k'ha'akravat par, bizchut yoshnei admat afar. V'e'egon libi l'fanecha, Ad-nai tzuri v'go'ali. Amen”
(L-rd of all worlds, exalted above the exalted! Hear the prayer of those who turn to You, asking for Your grace and compassion. In Your great mercy, grant me the merit of raising my children to serve You peacefully and without suffering. May they not be put to shame when they encounter their enemies, and may they be diligent in their study of Torah. May the words of my mouth concerning my children be pleasing to You, accepted by You like the offering of a bull, in the merit of the righteous who sleep in the dust, and may the thoughts of my heart be accepted before You, L-rd, my Rock and Redeemer. Amen)
P.S.
It is a very powerful segula to recite Hannah’s prayer for one’s children by the Shabbat candles. Hannah’s prayer contains all the foundations of Jewish prayer.
(From the booklet “The Teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov”)
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