(by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com) Yesterday, Yeshiva World News reported that Naama Issachar, the Israeli citizen imprisoned in Russia for 10 months, continues to light Shabbos candles every week, a practice she began in the Russian prison. In fact, jast Friday, Miss Issachar lit Shabbos candles in her home in Rechovot and sent a picture to Rabbi Shea Deitsch, the heroic Chabad shaliach in Moscow who supported the Issachar family from the time Naama was arrested last Erev Pesach. “It’s almost a year since we met,” Issachar wrote to Rabbi Deitsch. “I haven’t forgotten – lighting the candles for Shabbos.” The Chofetz Chaim once said that Shabbos observance is the key to blessing.  He pointed to the words of the lecha dodi – “ki hi mekor habracha” to make this point. In honor of both Naama Issachar who took on this Mitzvah and Rabbi Deutsch, who introduced her to it, we are printing this short overview of Neiros Shabbos. SHABBOS – OUR FLAG Shabbos has always been viewed as the symbol or flag of the Jewish nation. Just as patriots look at their flag as more than a mere dyed cloth with fancy designs, so too is Shabbos viewed in the eyes of the Jewish people. It is a sign of our deep belief in G-d’s absolute Oneness – He created the world and all that is in it, He is the One and Only, the source of everything, the One who rewards good and punishes evil. Ain Od Milvado. This flag must be honored as well. This is the meaning of the Talmudic statement (Shabbos 25b), hadlakas ner b’shabbos chovah – honoring Shabbos through light is an obligation. The Shabbos lights honor the Shabbos, they allow us to enjoy it more, and they contribute to the tranquility of our homes. HOW MANY? All this brings a question: How many Shabbos candles do we light to bring in the Shabbos? Is it one, two, or the amount of children that you had? Believe it or not, the Talmud just mentions the obligation to light, but no place in the Gemorah does it mention lighting more than one Shabbos lamp. Indeed, it does not even mention that we light the Shabbos licht with a Bracha. Tosfos cites a Yerushalmi that states that a Bracha is recited, but as yet, no one has found that Yerushalmi. Perhaps the Baalei Tosfos referred to the Midrashim, which do mention a bracha, and called these Midrashim “the Yerushalmi.” THE TERM “NER” Also, the term “Ner” mentioned in the bracha does not mean candle rather it means lamp – a porcelain container that holds oil and a wick. The term “Ner” is also singular – indicating that the original obligation was just one flame. TWO LAMPS We first encounter the mention of two lamps, rather than one, in Ashkenaz – the Germanic lands. The Raavya, Rav Eliezer ben Yoel HaLevi of Bonn (1140–1225) is the first to mention the custom of lighting two lights for Shabbos (Vol. I, Hilchos Shabbos Siman 199). He cites two reasons for lighting two lamps. The first is that he equates it to Chanukah lights during a period of danger (See Shabbos 21b). If we light one it will not be clear that he is doing it for the use […]
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