The Segula of Accepting Shabbat 10 Minutes Early

Segula: Lighting Shabbat Candles 10 Minutes Early

Chafetz Chaim and many other Gedolei Yisrael would accustom Jewish women to accept Shabbat earlier than the designated time—at least 10 minutes early—to demonstrate to G-d that we eagerly anticipate and appreciate the gift He has prepared for us: Shabbat. The tzadikim teach that lighting Shabbat candles 10 minutes earlier than usual is a tried-and-true segula for all kinds of salvation, one that has specifically helped many people. Women who had been unable to conceive gave birth to children, the seriously ill were healed, and people found solutions to difficulties involving shidduchim, employment, and more. Shabbat candles represent Kavod Shabbat (honoring Shabbat). Measure for measure, when we treat Shabbat like the most honored guest and eagerly invite it into our homes, Hashem, who sends this guest to us, rewards us in turn. These 10 holy minutes added to Shabbat are an Et Ratzon—a time when Heaven looks favorably upon us—as the mekubal Rabbi Meir ben Gabai says: “One who adds from the weekday to the holy in order to expand the boundaries of holiness… and is careful with this mitzvah—G-d will grant him salvation in his hour of distress.” Women should use these 10 minutes for prayer and supplication to G-d, as this is a time of direct connection with the Creator. The great tzadik Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman (zt”l) advised people seeking yeshuot for various problems to be mekabel (accept) Shabbat 10 minutes early. He liked to recount the following story connected with the Chafetz Chaim, which reveals the meaning of this segula. A Jewish couple—Leibish and Beila—had been married for 15 years but had not been blessed with children. They prayed fervently day after day and traveled to many tzadikim to receive their blessings, but they remained childless. Finally, they decided that they should undertake the difficult journey to distant Radin and visit the holy Chafetz Chaim. Perhaps a tzadik of such stature could help them. When they arrived at the tzadik, they poured out all their pain to him and begged him to help them in any way possible, so that they would not spend their lives alone and without children. Chafetz Chaim opened a Chumash to Parashat Vayeishev, to the section where Yosef told his brothers about his dreams. He then turned to the woman and asked: “At what time do you light Shabbat candles each Erev Shabbat?” Astonished by the question, Beila stammered her reply: “18 minutes before sunset, like most Jewish women.” Chafetz Chaim quoted Vayeishev (37:11): “…ve-Aviv Shamar et-ha-davar”—(but his father kept these words in his heart)—referring to the words Yosef had spoken. “What does ‘Shamar’ mean?” asked the Chafetz Chaim, and immediately answered: “Rashi explains that the word ‘Shamar’ in this context does not mean ‘kept’, but rather ‘patiently waited for them to be fulfilled’.” “You are certainly Shomrei Shabbat,” the Chafetz Chaim continued, “but do you wait for Shabbat to arrive? Or do you finish your preparations at the very last moment—just before Shabbat begins? Do you rush into Shabbat? Shabbat deserves to be awaited! The Shabbat Queen deserves our full attention as she arrives.” Then Chafetz Chaim turned to them and said: “In the ‘Aseret ha-Dibrot’ (Deuteronomy 5:12), it says: ‘Shamor et-Yom ha-Shabbat le-Kadesho’ —(observe the Sabbath day to sanctify it…). And further, in (5:14), it says: ‘atah uvincha uvit’cha’—(you, your son, and your daughter). One who is a ‘Shomer’ of Shabbat, according to Rashi’s definition (not only guarding it, but also awaiting it), merits having a child born to him! Become mekabelim (those who accept) of Shabbat early. Wait for Shabbat! Anticipate Shabbat! Give Kavod Shabbat. In this merit, G-d will bless you with ‘uvincha uvit’cha’. The following Erev Shabbat, Beila had everything ready an hour before sunset, and from that week onward, the candles were always lit earlier than the “usual” candle-lighting time. Chazal teach that Shmirat (observance of) Shabbat is very important, but Kavod Shabbat is even greater—we must accustom ourselves not only to refrain from forbidden activities, but also to honor Shabbat. The segula of accepting the obligation to light Shabbat candles earlier than the designated time as a segula for having children is also transmitted in the name of the Arizal (zechuto yagen aleinu) in the book Segulot ve-Tefillot. (L. Halevi, Vitebsk, 1920; http://www.divreichizuk.com)