Candles Before Purim – A Tradition of the Mekubalim

Candles Before Purim – A Tradition of the Mekubalim

Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Ofer conveys a tradition received from the Mekubalim: On the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Adar, candles should be lit le-kavod Avoteinu – Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Where candles are lit le-kavod our Forefathers, their souls bless those present, annul all harsh decrees (mevatel gezerot), and transform everything – “ve-nahafoch hu” – (turning everything upside down). On the 13th and 14th of Adar, we light a candle le-kavod Moshe Rabbeinu – Moshe Rabbeinu's brit milah took place on the 14th of Adar, on Purim; On the 14th of Adar, we light a candle le-kavod Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Mekubalim teach that the day of the week on which Purim falls always coincides with the day of the week of Lag BaOmer – there is a profound connection between them (this year, both Purim and Lag BaOmer fall on Thursday); It is good to recite Tikkun 48 from Tikkunei Zohar Tikkun 48 – Tikkunei Zohar Rabbeinu Chida ("Lev David," chapter 30) mentions the custom, for both men and women, of lighting two candles:

• le-kavod Mordechai ben Yair ben Shimi ben Kush
• Esther ha-Malkah bat Avichail.

It is then good to say: 120 times – “Baruch Mordechai” (blessed is Mordechai), and 24 times – “Beruchah Esther bat Avichail” (blessed is Esther bat Avichail). At the end, ask Ha-Shem once again: הצליני מקליפת המן עמלק, וזכני לקדושת מרדכי ואסתר “Hatzileini mi-klipat Haman Amalek, ve-zakeini li-kedushat Mordechai ve-Esther” – (Save me from the klipah of Haman–Amalek, and grant me the merit of the holiness of Mordechai and Esther); יהי רצון שהמר יעשה מתוק אמן Yehi ratzon she-ha-mar ya'aseh matok, amen. Chag Purim Sameach!   (based on a lecture by Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Ofer)