Shabbat and Candle Lighting for Friday, February 15, 2019 / 11 Adar 5779
Light Shabbat candles at 5:55 p.m
.
Dear Co
ngregation Kehillah and Friends,
Parashat Tetzaveh describes the garb that the kohanim (the priests) were to wear in service in the Holy Temple and continues with detailed directions for building the portable tabernacle (Mishkan). This verse is found in chapter 27:
You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting a ner tamid (eternal light).
The Ner Tamid is the fire (or today, light) that burns continually in our synagogues, a symbol of something of permanence in a world that is constantly changing. Perhaps we would benefit from a touch of 'eternity,'
affording us comfort and support and connection with those who have come before us and those who will continue after our time on earth has ended. When we light our Shabbat and festival candles, when we observe our rituals and practices, when we pray - even though the melodies may be different, the words are the same - we step out of time and touch eternity. Through practicing our tradition, we become connected to something greater than ourselves.
A kavannah for candle lighting for Parashat Tetzaveh
May the Eternal flame that burns within help connect us to experiences and moments of eternal meaning and allow us to shine as bearers of eternal light.
Hope to see you this Shabbat (Saturday) morning for Torah Talk! SeeConnections for details, and please RSVP before Shabbat begins.