HALACHOS OF HADLOKAS NEIROS SHEL SHABBOS; SHABBOS CANDLES
The Talmud (Shabbos 23b) relates the following adage in the name of Rav Huna: "One who is meticulous with the candle will merit having children that are Torah scholars"
Rashi explains, based on the Posuk (Mishlei 6:23), "Ki Ner Mitzvah V'Torah Ohr", via the 'Ner Mitzvah', i.e. the proper lighting of candles of Shabbos and Chanukah will come the "Ohr Torah", the light of Torah, i.e. Torah scholars will shine forth.
Given the correlation between the light of Chanukah and the light of Shabbos, it is only natural that now that Chanukah - and our studying its Halachos - is over, we should begin studying the Halachos of Hadlokas Neiros of Shabbos, a set of Halachos that effect virtually every Jewish man and woman.
1) The lighting of candles in every Jewish home prior to the onset of Shabbos is an obligation M'divrei Sofrim ,a term used to describe biblical obligations that aren't explicitly written in the Torah, rather derived by Chazal (who are also referred to as Sofrim) via the 13 Midos SheHaTorah nidreshes Bahan, various Halachic Drashos that were handed down from Har Sinai as a blueprint to extrapolate laws from the Torah's text.
The Jewish nation already lit Shabbos candles in the days of Moshe Rabbeinu. (See P'sikta Zutrasa Perek 35:3)
2) The reason for these lights is that there is an obligation of Oneg Shabbos, having a pleasurable Shabbos, and we can't have pleasure unless we have light.
Additionally, having candles adds to the Kavod of Shabbos, the honor of Shabbos. (See Talmud Shabbos 25 b and Rashi, Tosefos and Meiri there. See also Aruch HaShulchan Siman 263:1 and 2)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
Is one supposed to answer 'Baruch Hu U'varuch Shemo' on Friday night after the Shemonah Esreh of Maariv when the Chazan says the birchas 'Me'ein Sheva'?
Most of the congregation does not answer. Yet, I heard one individual answer. What is the halachah? Also, what is the source
Answer:
I did not find anyone that specifically says to say it.
I did, however, find that the Aruch HaShulchan Siman 268:17 as well as the Siddur Shla, Sidur Otzar Hatefilos and Sidur Ya'vetz all say that when the Chazan says this Bracha following Magen Avos the congregation should be quiet and not say anything at all.
The Gaon of Vilna and others rule that the congregation should not even say "Magen Avos" themselves and only the Chazan should say it and the Bracha following it.
This means that the congregagtion must hear it from the Chazan as he is being Motzei them. As with every Bracha that one is being exempt with, no Baruch Hu U'Varuch Shemo should be interjected.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
A 2 year old girl was saved from the Nazi's in the famous kindertransport that took a trainload of children to England. A note was sewn into her undershirt. It was a letter from her mother. It said (adapted):
"Dear Miralle, in a few hours they are coming to pick you up. I don't know if I'll ever see you again. So let me tell you how we spent the last few hours together.
I mixed your little meal and fed you.
Then I changed your clothes and rocked you to sleep in my arms
I want you to know that if you find yourself alone in the world, it's not because we didn't love you.
It is because of our deep love that we sent you away, to safety.
I pray that our love should always follow you wherever you are, whatever you face.
Love, Mama"
In our journey we may feel that we are alone. But know this: attached to your soul is a love letter from your Father: "know that My love is always with you wherever you are, whatever you face"
Important Numbers
