Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 266:24-267:2

Hook

Ever feel like your week just blends into itself? Like one long, never-ending to-do list? We zoom through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then suddenly it’s Friday, and we’re still trying to catch our breath. Before you know it, the weekend is over, and the cycle starts again. Sometimes, we crave a clear moment to hit the pause button, to truly step out of the rush and into something a little calmer, a little more special. What if there was a simple, beautiful way to mark that transition, to literally bring a warm glow into your home and signal: "Okay, week, you're paused. Now, for something different"? Today, we’re peeking into an ancient Jewish text that offers a bright idea for doing just that.

Context

Let's set the scene for our learning adventure today.

• Who: We're learning from a wise rabbi named Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein. He lived a long life, from 1829 to 1908. He was a prominent leader and scholar in Eastern Europe.
• When: He lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when Jewish communities were thriving and dealing with changes in the world around them.
• Where: Rav Epstein was based in Novardok, a town now in Belarus, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He was the head rabbi there for many years.
• What: He wrote a very important book called Arukh HaShulchan. Think of it like a super-practical guidebook for Jewish life. It explains Jewish law, called halakha, in a clear, user-friendly way, often sharing the reasoning and customs behind the rules. Our text today focuses on a beautiful Jewish practice: lighting candles to welcome Shabbat.

Shabbat: A weekly day of rest and holiness.

Shabbat (pronounced Shah-BAHT) is the Jewish Sabbath. It's a special day each week, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, dedicated to rest, spiritual connection, and family time. It's a gift of time-out, a chance to recharge our bodies and souls. Lighting candles is one of the very first ways we invite this special energy into our homes.

Text Snapshot

Here’s a glimpse into Rav Epstein’s teachings about lighting Shabbat candles:

"The custom is for women to light the Shabbat candles... If she is not home, her husband lights... it adds peace to the home."

"If one arrives late to their destination on Friday... they should light, even if it is already Shabbat for others."

"The time for lighting is usually 18 minutes before sunset... The main thing is to add from the mundane to the holy."

— Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 266:24-267:2

You can explore the full text here: https://www.sefaria.org/Arukh_HaShulchan%2C_Orach_Chaim_266%3A24-267%3A2

Close Reading

Let's unpack some of the wisdom hidden in these lines. Rav Epstein isn't just giving rules; he's sharing a philosophy about how to live a more intentional, peaceful life.

Insight 1: Everyone Can Shine (and Bring Peace to the Home!)

Rav Epstein starts by mentioning the custom for women to light the Shabbat candles. This is a beautiful tradition deeply rooted in Jewish homes for centuries, often seen as bringing the light of the Divine Presence into the home. But then, he quickly broadens the picture. He says, "If she is not home, her husband lights." And if neither is home, "another Jew should light." What's the big takeaway here? It's not about who lights as much as it's about making sure the lights get lit. The emphasis isn't on an exclusive role, but on the importance of the act itself.

Think about it: have you ever been in a situation where someone says, "Oh, that's not my job"? And then the task just… doesn't get done? Here, the message is clear: the mitzvah (a good deed or commandment) of lighting Shabbat candles is so important that if the usual person can’t do it, someone else steps up. It’s a shared responsibility, a community effort, ensuring that the light of Shabbat is present. This teaches us that when it comes to bringing warmth and goodness into our lives and homes, we all have a part to play. We can all be the ones to "light up" a situation.

He then adds a profound reason: "it adds peace to the home." This phrase, shalom bayit (pronounced shah-LOHM BYE-eet), means "peace in the home." It's a huge value in Judaism. Imagine a home without light on a Friday night – fumbling in the dark, stubbing toes, maybe arguing. Not very peaceful, right? The candles provide literal light, making the home functional and pleasant. But they also provide spiritual light. They create an atmosphere of calm and sanctity. The act of lighting itself, taking a moment to pause and focus, can be a calming ritual that sets a peaceful tone for the evening. This reminds us that creating a peaceful environment isn't just about avoiding conflict; it's about actively bringing in light, warmth, and intention. It's about making our home a sanctuary, a place where everyone feels welcome and at ease. And that's something everyone, regardless of role, can contribute to.

Insight 2: It's About the Light, Not Just the Candles (Flexibility for the Spirit)

Rav Epstein then tackles a tricky situation: what if you’re running late, really late, and Shabbat has technically already begun for others? He says, "If one arrives late to their destination on Friday... they should light, even if it is already Shabbat for others." This is a fascinating point. Typically, once Shabbat begins, you can't light a fire (or turn on electricity). So, this instruction is a special exception. Why? Because the mitzvah of having light for Shabbat in your home is so crucial. The entire point is to have light for the Shabbat meal, for the Shabbat experience.

This teaches us a beautiful principle: sometimes, the spirit of the law outweighs a strict interpretation of the letter of the law. The goal isn't just to follow rules blindly, but to understand their deeper purpose. The purpose of Shabbat candles is to ensure a joyful, peaceful Shabbat, not a dark, fumbling one. So, if being a little late means you can still fulfill the main goal of bringing light, then you do it. This isn't permission to be habitually late, of course! But it's an understanding that life happens. Sometimes, travel delays or unexpected circumstances throw a wrench in our plans. In those moments, Judaism often looks for ways to ensure we can still connect to the spiritual practice, rather than shutting us out.

He further clarifies this in section 266:26 (not in our snapshot but contextually relevant), noting that if you only have electric light, that fulfills the basic need for light. But, he says, the candle lighting adds something extra, something more spiritual and beautiful. It's like the difference between listening to music on a cheap speaker and experiencing a live concert. Both are music, but one is a richer, more intentional experience. This tells us that while the practical need for light is important, there's also a deep value in the symbolic act, in the ritual itself, for enriching our spiritual lives. It encourages us to go beyond the bare minimum, to add beauty and intention to our practices.

Insight 3: Creating Sacred Time (Adding from the Mundane to the Holy)

Finally, Rav Epstein talks about when to light. "The time for lighting is usually 18 minutes before sunset." This specific timing is key. It’s not at sunset, but a little bit before. Why the 18 minutes? It's a buffer, a cushion. It ensures that the candles are definitely lit before Shabbat officially begins. But he then gives us the deeper reason: "The main thing is to add from the mundane to the holy."

This phrase, "adding from the mundane to the holy," is a gem. Think about how we transition between different parts of our day. Do we always make a conscious shift? Often, we just tumble from work to dinner to bedtime. Shabbat candles offer a deliberate, beautiful way to create a boundary. By lighting them before sunset, we are proactively saying, "I am pulling back from the regular week, from the 'mundane' (our regular, everyday activities), and stepping into the 'holy' (the special, sacred time of Shabbat)." We are consciously choosing to welcome this sacred time, rather than letting it just happen to us.

Once the candles are lit, Rav Epstein explains (267:2), Shabbat has begun for that person. This means they've accepted the holiness of Shabbat and won't do melacha (forbidden labor: creative work). It's a personal declaration. This isn't just about following a rule; it's about actively shaping your experience of time. It's about taking agency over your schedule, carving out a space for rest and connection in a world that constantly demands more. It's a powerful statement that you are in control of your time, and you choose to dedicate a portion of it to something higher, to your well-being, and to your spiritual growth. This concept of intentionally moving from the everyday to the extraordinary is something we can apply to many areas of our lives, creating meaningful transitions.

Apply It

Okay, so what can we do with this wisdom this week? You don't have to go out and buy a menorah (that's for Hanukkah anyway!) or even light Shabbat candles right away. But you can start small, inspired by these ideas:

1. Notice the Light and Create a Pause: This week, pick one evening. Just before you sit down for dinner, or before you transition from work-mode to home-mode, light a single candle (safely, of course!). Don't worry about blessings or specific times. Just light it. Watch the flame for 10-15 seconds. Let it be a simple visual cue, a mini-ritual that says: "Okay, I'm pausing. I'm shifting from the busy, 'mundane' part of my day to a more intentional, 'holy' (or at least, more peaceful and present) moment." This takes less than a minute.
2. Declare Your Own "Shabbat Moment": Maybe you don't light a candle. Instead, choose a specific time on Friday afternoon (or any day that works for you) to simply stop doing one "mundane" thing you usually do. For example, stop checking work emails, or put away your phone for 30 minutes, or just sit quietly for a moment. This is your personal "adding from the mundane to the holy" moment. It's a tiny act of intentional transition, claiming a sacred pause for yourself.

Chevruta Mini

A chevruta (pronounced HEV-roo-tah) is a learning partner. Grab a friend, family member, or even just ponder these questions yourself!

1. Rav Epstein talks about "adding peace to the home" through candle lighting. What's one small, non-religious thing you already do (or could do) that helps create a sense of calm or "peace" in your own living space or at the end of a busy day?
2. The idea of "adding from the mundane to the holy" encourages us to intentionally transition from our everyday activities to something more special. How does this concept resonate with you, even if you’re thinking about it in a completely secular way (like transitioning from work to personal time, or from chores to relaxation)?

Takeaway

Shabbat candles help us create a sacred pause, bringing peace and light into our lives by intentionally separating our busy week from a special time of rest.