This evening at precisely 5:27 p.m., EST, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, a Sabbath miracle transforms our little home from its work-a-day toil and stresses to a haven of peace and light. As I light the Sabbath candles (2 of them) I remember my relatives, my ancestors, both current and ancient and draw their spirits into my home to celebrate this day when all is put aside except our devotion to God.
SABBATH CANDLES
As I look into the flames
I see them reflected across the years
and all around me press
my grandparents,
my ancestors,
for many centuries.
I see their faces
reflected in the Sabbath light
and sense the peace they feel
radiating out to me.
The candle flames are threads
that move across the span of time
binding my soul to theirs.
I see my bubeleh (grandmother) glance around the room
making sure that everything is there - and kosher!
She feels the challah (braided bread)
and readjusts the cover,
centers the salt and knife,
sniffs the wine,
counts the glasses:
sees the water, bowl, and pitcher
are in place;
then rubs her hands
and smiles with lips and eyes.
They all are there;
everything is fit.
She looks at each grandchild
to see if faces, hands, and clothes are clean.
Then second looks to reminisce
on features that her parents had:
and looks within their eyes
to take a measure of their souls.
Only then, does she meet my eyes
and nod her head.
It is not her way to praise,
but she cannot hide her pride.
All the while my zayde (grandfather)
stares into the flames,
his gnarled hands rest upon his cane
his face so worn by toil and sorrow
shines with love fulfilled.
In all his life
his only dream was Torah (the first five books of the Bible) -
now his life is Torah.
He shares with me his learning -
the subtle point of law,
a delicate turn of ethics
propounded by his teachers,
Maimonides...Akiba...Jochanan ben Zakkai.
I am overwhelmed by the love and peace
that radiate from him
as he takes my hands
and chants with me
of the joy of his heart...
HaRibono Shel Olam (the Master of the Universe).
And so they spend eternity
waiting in an eternal circle.
Close enough for me to feel,
Close enough to see on Sabbath Eve.
The Sabbath candles burn into eternity
and speak the love and joy
that make us one,
my great-great-grandfather
and my little son,
parted only by a slender veil;
sealed together by the Sabbath flame;
stretching out beyond our mortal sight
into another world.
Davalene Ruth Hirsch
We spend Sabbath evening going to Synagogue or reading and studying in our home. All work is put aside and the Sabbath is a day of rest and studying scriptures, or other Jewish texts. As a writer, I take a vacation and dwell instead on what the Lord might be wanting me to do or say in the upcoming week.
An important part of Shabbat services in the Synagogue are saying the SHEMA, "Hear Oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One," and observing the yahrzeit anniversaries of our relatives who have passed, by reciting the Kaddish.
The children play, but not with their electronic games or computers. At noon we have a big dinner and have a big gab-fest. Then in the evening of Saturday, at sundown, we light the Havdallah candles and sing songs and play games with the family.
It is a serious, quiet, and restful time but it gives us the strength of purpose to go out and live our lives the best way that we can and teaches us to open our hearts to all of those around us who may need a bit of love, compassion, or a simple hand. The Sabbath gives the Jewish people a time to reflect on the ways that they should live their lives, which we are taught to believe is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Whether you celebrate a day of rest on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, its purpose is the same and its meaning of love and compassion is found in each of the religions of all of humankind.
Have a wonderful and purposeful Sabbath, and I will be back on Monday morning talking about whatever the Lord lays on my heart over this weekend of quiet introspection.
SABBATH CANDLES
As I look into the flames
I see them reflected across the years
and all around me press
my grandparents,
my ancestors,
for many centuries.
I see their faces
reflected in the Sabbath light
and sense the peace they feel
radiating out to me.
The candle flames are threads
that move across the span of time
binding my soul to theirs.
I see my bubeleh (grandmother) glance around the room
making sure that everything is there - and kosher!
She feels the challah (braided bread)
and readjusts the cover,
centers the salt and knife,
sniffs the wine,
counts the glasses:
sees the water, bowl, and pitcher
are in place;
then rubs her hands
and smiles with lips and eyes.
They all are there;
everything is fit.
She looks at each grandchild
to see if faces, hands, and clothes are clean.
Then second looks to reminisce
on features that her parents had:
and looks within their eyes
to take a measure of their souls.
Only then, does she meet my eyes
and nod her head.
It is not her way to praise,
but she cannot hide her pride.
All the while my zayde (grandfather)
stares into the flames,
his gnarled hands rest upon his cane
his face so worn by toil and sorrow
shines with love fulfilled.
In all his life
his only dream was Torah (the first five books of the Bible) -
now his life is Torah.
He shares with me his learning -
the subtle point of law,
a delicate turn of ethics
propounded by his teachers,
Maimonides...Akiba...Jochanan ben Zakkai.
I am overwhelmed by the love and peace
that radiate from him
as he takes my hands
and chants with me
of the joy of his heart...
HaRibono Shel Olam (the Master of the Universe).
And so they spend eternity
waiting in an eternal circle.
Close enough for me to feel,
Close enough to see on Sabbath Eve.
The Sabbath candles burn into eternity
and speak the love and joy
that make us one,
my great-great-grandfather
and my little son,
parted only by a slender veil;
sealed together by the Sabbath flame;
stretching out beyond our mortal sight
into another world.
Davalene Ruth Hirsch
We spend Sabbath evening going to Synagogue or reading and studying in our home. All work is put aside and the Sabbath is a day of rest and studying scriptures, or other Jewish texts. As a writer, I take a vacation and dwell instead on what the Lord might be wanting me to do or say in the upcoming week.
An important part of Shabbat services in the Synagogue are saying the SHEMA, "Hear Oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One," and observing the yahrzeit anniversaries of our relatives who have passed, by reciting the Kaddish.
The children play, but not with their electronic games or computers. At noon we have a big dinner and have a big gab-fest. Then in the evening of Saturday, at sundown, we light the Havdallah candles and sing songs and play games with the family.
It is a serious, quiet, and restful time but it gives us the strength of purpose to go out and live our lives the best way that we can and teaches us to open our hearts to all of those around us who may need a bit of love, compassion, or a simple hand. The Sabbath gives the Jewish people a time to reflect on the ways that they should live their lives, which we are taught to believe is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Whether you celebrate a day of rest on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, its purpose is the same and its meaning of love and compassion is found in each of the religions of all of humankind.
Have a wonderful and purposeful Sabbath, and I will be back on Monday morning talking about whatever the Lord lays on my heart over this weekend of quiet introspection.
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