Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 265:7-12

Hook

The golden glow of Shabbat candles, a beacon of peace illuminating homes from Tangier to Tehran, connecting generations with warmth and wisdom.

Context

Place

From the ancient Jewish centers of Babylon and Persia, through the thriving communities of North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia) and the Levant (Syria, Turkey), to the vibrant Jewish quarters of the Ottoman Empire.

Era

Spanning millennia, with a significant flourishing from the Golden Age of Spain, through the exiles, and into modern times, adapting and enriching Jewish life globally.

Community

The diverse and deeply rooted tapestry of Sephardic (descendants of Iberian Jewry) and Mizrahi (Jews from Middle Eastern and North African lands) communities.

Text Snapshot

The Arukh HaShulchan, in Orach Chaim 265, meticulously details the profound mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. It explores the precise timing, the intention (kavanah) required, and the very essence of bringing light into our homes as Shabbat begins. This halakhic discourse underscores the mitzvah's dual purpose: shalom bayit (peace in the home) and kavod Shabbat (honor of Shabbat), ensuring a beautifully lit, welcoming atmosphere for our holy day.

Minhag/Melody

The Embrace of Light

In many Sephardi and Mizrahi traditions, particularly among women from Moroccan and Syrian communities, there's a beautiful custom of lighting the Shabbat candles first, then covering the eyes, and only then reciting the blessing. This allows one to immediately behold the sacred light upon opening their eyes, fully experiencing the mitzvah's fulfillment.

Contrast

Blessing's Order

While many Ashkenazi traditions recite the blessing before lighting the candles (and then cover their eyes), many Sephardi/Mizrahi practices reverse this, lighting first and then reciting the blessing while covering the eyes. Both customs are deeply cherished and reflect different approaches to the immediacy of the mitzvah.

Home Practice

A Moment of Kavanah

After lighting your Shabbat candles (regardless of your custom for the blessing), take a silent moment with your eyes still covered. Offer a personal prayer for your loved ones, for peace, or for gratitude, allowing the quiet holiness of the moment to fill your heart.

Takeaway

The enduring flame of Shabbat candles, meticulously understood and lovingly observed, shines as a powerful symbol of Jewish resilience, family warmth, and the rich, diverse heritage of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewry.