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A serious dilemma

Wednesday, 5 December, 2018 - 3:24 pm

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I assume this situation never happened, and I hope no one ever finds himself or herself in the following position:

The Talmud asks: "What happens when someone is so poor that he has only one candle on Friday afternoon during the Holiday of Chanukah? He has to choose: Should he light the candle of Chanukah or the candle of Shabbat?"

Let's go back to basis first: what purpose does each of these candles serve?

 We light the Chanukah candles at our doorpost or at our window, for all the outside world to see: it represents the survival of the values of the Jewish nation in front of all the enemies that tried to eradicate our faith.

The candles of the Shabbat though are lit inside the house: their purpose is to have light inside our homes during a day that lighting fire is forbidden, so the atmosphere inside the home is peaceful and pleasant. (imagine eating the Shabbat meal in the dark!) 

What then would be your guess? what candle is it preferable to light? Chanukah or Shabbat?

The Talmud answers that the light of Shabbat takes precedence. Before we start lighting the world outside, we need to make sure that our household is full of light and peace. We need to make sure to invest time and attention to our spouse and children and make sure our household is take care of.

Thank G-d, we can light both the candles of Shabbat and Chanukah!!! Let's illuminate our lives and the lives of those around us with the light and the warmth of Judaism, and let's continue to upkeep the values of Judaism against all the obstacles, in the spirit of the Makabim!

Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach!

PS: Little quiz: Which candles do we light first on Friday afternoon, Chanukah candles or Shabbat candles?

Answer: The Chanukah candles. After we light the Shabbat candles, Shabbat comes in and it's already forbidden to light any fire! 

 

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