Mivtza Neiros Shabbos Kodesh: Difference between revisions

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The Mivtza Neiros Shabbos Kodesh (Neshek) is one of the ten mivtzaim (campaigns) initiated by [[the Rebbe]] in 1974.

[[File:נרות שבת.png|thumb|Shabbos Candles]]

[[File:מבצע נש''ק חב''ד עפולה.jpg|thumb|Activity of the Chabad women of Afula that was reported in the Chabad newsletter, several years before the Mivtza (campaign) actually began in practice.]]

[[File:מבצע נשק.jpg|thumb|Match box gifted by the Rebbe to Esther Sternberg, one of the leaders involved in the campaign of 11 Nissan 5735 (1975), signed with his holy name (from among 3000 match boxes that the Rebbe instructed to print on that day).]]

[[File:נרות שבת.jpg|thumb|Shabbos Candles]]

As part of this campaign, Chabad chassidim work to encourage women and girls from age 3 and up to light [[Shabbos]] candles every Friday. Naturally, this campaign is primarily carried out by Chabad women and girls.

== Historical Background ==

In ancient times, it was customary in several chassidic courts and other places for women to begin lighting candles from a young age. This was practiced in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vizhnitz, and even in Lithuania in the Volozhin court with Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and others.

In ancient times, it was customary in several chassidic courts and other places for women to begin lighting candles from a young age. This was practiced in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vizhnitz, and even in Lithuania in the Volozhin court with Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and others<ref>Sichos Kodesh 5735 (1975) Volume 1, on HebrewBooks:

In many Chassidic courts, it is customary in the Rebbes' homes for daughters to light Shabbos Kodesh candles, and in some they begin this practice from the age of 12 (this was the custom in Tosh Chassidus, as well as in Sanz-Bobov and Kaminka, Apta, Vizhnitz, Chernobyl, Ruzhin and Slonim. Mentioned in the book "Avodas HaLeviim" - Tosh, p. 124). The Rebbetzin of Skver, granddaughter of the Maharid of Belz, began lighting Shabbos candles from the age of 12 as was customary in Belz (M'Be'er HaShabbos (Pollack), Customs of Shabbos Night, Part 1, p. 74). In the home of the Rebbes of Vizhnitz, they practiced that girls would light 2 candles with a bracha from the age of Bas Mitzvah (Otzar Halachos V'Hanhagos, Customs of the "Yeshuos Moshe" of Vizhnitz, p. 51).

This custom of daughters lighting Neros Shabbos Kodesh is also mentioned in the book "Aruch HaShulchan" (Orach Chaim, 263, 7), whose author was among the great Ashkenazi poskim. The Rebbe referenced the words of "Aruch HaShulchan" on this matter in his talks (Sichos Kodesh 5735 Vol. 1 p. 5. Ibid., p. 300) and in his letters (Igros Kodesh, Vol. 30, p. 26-27).

Among the rabbis of Morocco, the Baba Sali supported Mivtza Neshek, and Rabbi Shalom Messas ruled that unmarried daughters who are guests in their mother's home can light Shabbos candles and make a bracha on them if they do not wish to fulfill their obligation through the candles of the woman of the house, and it is good that they light in a room designated for them (Yalkut Shemesh, Laws of Shabbos, p. 79). And in the pamphlet Neros Shabbos Kodesh, 1, by Rabbi Sholom Dovber Levin, p. 29, note 58, he brings precise details and testimonies that he heard directly from all the courts of Rebbes and Rabbis that their daughters customarily lit Neros Shabbos Kodesh from their childhood. See there at length.</ref>.

== Background of the Campaign ==

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== Launch of the Campaign ==

The campaign officially began with a sicha delivered by the Rebbe to chassidim on 24 Elul 5734 (1974), where he spoke about and encouraged every Jewish woman and girl to strive to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos and Yom Tov candles. Additionally, girls should begin lighting Shabbos candles from the age of chinuch (education).

The campaign officially began with a sicha delivered by the Rebbe to chassidim on 24 Elul 5734 (1974), where he spoke about and encouraged every Jewish woman and girl to strive to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting [[Shabbos]] and Yom Tov candles. Additionally, girls should begin lighting Shabbos candles from the age of chinuch (education).

Following the Rebbe's words, women go out every Friday to shopping centers, hospitals, and schools to distribute Shabbos candles to Jewish women and girls. Simultaneously, the Rebbe requires them to maintain traditional Jewish tznius (modesty) standards.

[[File:כתיק ברכת להדליק נר שבק.png|thumb|Handwritten response from the Rebbe regarding the correct text for the blessing of lighting the Shabbos Kodesh candle:'''The text of the blessing should be... of Shabbos Kodesh (as on the page)'''.]]

The Rebbe also instructed that all details of this campaign apply to Yom Tov candle lighting as well.

The Rebbe also instructed that all details of this campaign apply to Yom Tov candle lighting as well. Over the years, the distribution of kits has expanded significantly. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Hakodesh]], a special department within the Nshei Ubnos Chabad organization manages the distribution of branded and subsidized kits to facilitate following this directive. They also conduct encouragement campaigns for high school and seminary girls to distribute the kits. In 2019 alone, over 1,200,000 kits were distributed through the organization in Israel (in addition to privately distributed kits and those distributed by other Chabad organizations).

Over the years, the distribution of kits has expanded significantly. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Hakodesh]], a special department within the Nshei Ubnos Chabad organization manages the distribution of branded and subsidized kits to facilitate following this directive. They also conduct encouragement campaigns for high school and seminary girls to distribute the kits. In 2019 alone, over 1,200,000 kits were distributed through the organization in Israel (in addition to privately distributed kits and those distributed by other Chabad organizations).

== The Rebbe's Words Regarding the Campaign ==

The Rebbe explains that the essence of Shabbos candles is explained in the Zohar Hakadosh and other sources - to add light, both spiritual and physical, as a tikkun for "Chava extinguishing the light of the world." Therefore, although in previous generations it was customary for daughters to fulfill their obligation through their mother's candle lighting, today, with darkness pervading the world, there is a need to increase both spiritual and physical light by ensuring every girl lights Shabbos candles and makes the bracha with Shem U'Malchus.~~{{Template:The rebbe's Mivtzoim}}~~

The Rebbe explains that the essence of Shabbos candles is explained in the Zohar Hakadosh and other sources - to add light, both spiritual and physical, as a tikkun for "Chava extinguishing the light of the world." Therefore, although in previous generations it was customary for daughters to fulfill their obligation through their mother's candle lighting, today, with darkness pervading the world, there is a need to increase both spiritual and physical light by ensuring every girl lights Shabbos candles and makes the bracha with Shem U'Malchus.

== Practical Guidelines from the Rebbe ==

It is understood that when explaining to a girl the powers she receives from Hashem to add light and bring the [[Godliness - elokus|Shechina's presence]] into the home, she too will be happy with this zechus.

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The distribution of kits has grown, with the Merkaz Hafatzah Mamash creating special packaging for Shabbos candle distribution.

~~== Prayer During Candle Lighting ==~~

~~Among Jewish women, it is customary to pray after lighting the Shabbos candles, while covering their faces with their hands.~~

~~This custom applies only to Shabbos candle lighting and not to Yom Tov candle lighting.~~

In some Jewish communities, there was a custom to recite a special prayer text before and after lighting the candles. The Frierdiker Rebbe praised this custom, but when the Rebbe was asked about it, he responded: "I have not heard either for or against it, and I have not seen in the Rebbe's house any special prayer for candle lighting, therefore in my opinion one should not get involved with this."

== Further Reading ==

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* "All the Candles Should Unite into One Great Torch and Great Fire that will Burn Away the Remnants of the Boundaries of Golus," in the Chayei Rebbi section, Kfar Chabad Weekly 2078, page 52

[[Category:~~The Ten~~ Mivtzoim]]

== Refences ==

[[Category:Mivtzoim]]

[[he:מבצע נרות שבת קודש]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Template:Mivtzoim}}
 The Mivtza Neiros Shabbos Kodesh (Neshek) is one of the ten mivtzaim (campaigns) initiated by [[the Rebbe]] in 1974.
+[[File:נרות שבת.png|thumb|Shabbos Candles]]
+[[File:מבצע נש''ק חב''ד עפולה.jpg|thumb|Activity of the Chabad women of Afula that was reported in the Chabad newsletter, several years before the Mivtza (campaign) actually began in practice.]]
+[[File:מבצע נשק.jpg|thumb|Match box gifted by the Rebbe to Esther Sternberg, one of the leaders involved in the campaign of 11 Nissan 5735 (1975), signed with his holy name (from among 3000 match boxes that the Rebbe instructed to print on that day).]]
+[[File:נרות שבת.jpg|thumb|Shabbos Candles]]
 As part of this campaign, Chabad chassidim work to encourage women and girls from age 3 and up to light [[Shabbos]] candles every Friday. Naturally, this campaign is primarily carried out by Chabad women and girls.
 == Historical Background ==
-In ancient times, it was customary in several chassidic courts and other places for women to begin lighting candles from a young age. This was practiced in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vizhnitz, and even in Lithuania in the Volozhin court with Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and others.
+In ancient times, it was customary in several chassidic courts and other places for women to begin lighting candles from a young age. This was practiced in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vizhnitz, and even in Lithuania in the Volozhin court with Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and others<ref>Sichos Kodesh 5735 (1975) Volume 1, on HebrewBooks:
+In many Chassidic courts, it is customary in the Rebbes' homes for daughters to light Shabbos Kodesh candles, and in some they begin this practice from the age of 12 (this was the custom in Tosh Chassidus, as well as in Sanz-Bobov and Kaminka, Apta, Vizhnitz, Chernobyl, Ruzhin and Slonim. Mentioned in the book "Avodas HaLeviim" - Tosh, p. 124). The Rebbetzin of Skver, granddaughter of the Maharid of Belz, began lighting Shabbos candles from the age of 12 as was customary in Belz (M'Be'er HaShabbos (Pollack), Customs of Shabbos Night, Part 1, p. 74). In the home of the Rebbes of Vizhnitz, they practiced that girls would light 2 candles with a bracha from the age of Bas Mitzvah (Otzar Halachos V'Hanhagos, Customs of the "Yeshuos Moshe" of Vizhnitz, p. 51).
+This custom of daughters lighting Neros Shabbos Kodesh is also mentioned in the book "Aruch HaShulchan" (Orach Chaim, 263, 7), whose author was among the great Ashkenazi poskim. The Rebbe referenced the words of "Aruch HaShulchan" on this matter in his talks (Sichos Kodesh 5735 Vol. 1 p. 5. Ibid., p. 300) and in his letters (Igros Kodesh, Vol. 30, p. 26-27).
+Among the rabbis of Morocco, the Baba Sali supported Mivtza Neshek, and Rabbi Shalom Messas ruled that unmarried daughters who are guests in their mother's home can light Shabbos candles and make a bracha on them if they do not wish to fulfill their obligation through the candles of the woman of the house, and it is good that they light in a room designated for them (Yalkut Shemesh, Laws of Shabbos, p. 79). And in the pamphlet Neros Shabbos Kodesh, 1, by Rabbi Sholom Dovber Levin, p. 29, note 58, he brings precise details and testimonies that he heard directly from all the courts of Rebbes and Rabbis that their daughters customarily lit Neros Shabbos Kodesh from their childhood. See there at length.</ref>.
 == Background of the Campaign ==
@@ Line 10: / Line 20: @@
 == Launch of the Campaign ==
-The campaign officially began with a sicha delivered by the Rebbe to chassidim on 24 Elul 5734 (1974), where he spoke about and encouraged every Jewish woman and girl to strive to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos and Yom Tov candles. Additionally, girls should begin lighting Shabbos candles from the age of chinuch (education).
+The campaign officially began with a sicha delivered by the Rebbe to chassidim on 24 Elul 5734 (1974), where he spoke about and encouraged every Jewish woman and girl to strive to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting [[Shabbos]] and Yom Tov candles. Additionally, girls should begin lighting Shabbos candles from the age of chinuch (education).
 Following the Rebbe's words, women go out every Friday to shopping centers, hospitals, and schools to distribute Shabbos candles to Jewish women and girls. Simultaneously, the Rebbe requires them to maintain traditional Jewish tznius (modesty) standards.
+[[File:כתיק ברכת להדליק נר שבק.png|thumb|Handwritten response from the Rebbe regarding the correct text for the blessing of lighting the Shabbos Kodesh candle:'''The text of the blessing should be... of Shabbos Kodesh (as on the page)'''.]]
-The Rebbe also instructed that all details of this campaign apply to Yom Tov candle lighting as well.
+The Rebbe also instructed that all details of this campaign apply to Yom Tov candle lighting as well. Over the years, the distribution of kits has expanded significantly. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Hakodesh]], a special department within the Nshei Ubnos Chabad organization manages the distribution of branded and subsidized kits to facilitate following this directive. They also conduct encouragement campaigns for high school and seminary girls to distribute the kits. In 2019 alone, over 1,200,000 kits were distributed through the organization in Israel (in addition to privately distributed kits and those distributed by other Chabad organizations).
-Over the years, the distribution of kits has expanded significantly. In [[Eretz Yisroel|Eretz Hakodesh]], a special department within the Nshei Ubnos Chabad organization manages the distribution of branded and subsidized kits to facilitate following this directive. They also conduct encouragement campaigns for high school and seminary girls to distribute the kits. In 2019 alone, over 1,200,000 kits were distributed through the organization in Israel (in addition to privately distributed kits and those distributed by other Chabad organizations).
 == The Rebbe's Words Regarding the Campaign ==
-The Rebbe explains that the essence of Shabbos candles is explained in the Zohar Hakadosh and other sources - to add light, both spiritual and physical, as a tikkun for "Chava extinguishing the light of the world." Therefore, although in previous generations it was customary for daughters to fulfill their obligation through their mother's candle lighting, today, with darkness pervading the world, there is a need to increase both spiritual and physical light by ensuring every girl lights Shabbos candles and makes the bracha with Shem U'Malchus.{{Template:The rebbe's Mivtzoim}}
+The Rebbe explains that the essence of Shabbos candles is explained in the Zohar Hakadosh and other sources - to add light, both spiritual and physical, as a tikkun for "Chava extinguishing the light of the world." Therefore, although in previous generations it was customary for daughters to fulfill their obligation through their mother's candle lighting, today, with darkness pervading the world, there is a need to increase both spiritual and physical light by ensuring every girl lights Shabbos candles and makes the bracha with Shem U'Malchus.
 == Practical Guidelines from the Rebbe ==
 It is understood that when explaining to a girl the powers she receives from Hashem to add light and bring the [[Godliness - elokus|Shechina's presence]] into the home, she too will be happy with this zechus.
@@ Line 59: / Line 66: @@
 The distribution of kits has grown, with the Merkaz Hafatzah Mamash creating special packaging for Shabbos candle distribution.
-== Prayer During Candle Lighting ==
-Among Jewish women, it is customary to pray after lighting the Shabbos candles, while covering their faces with their hands.
-This custom applies only to Shabbos candle lighting and not to Yom Tov candle lighting.
-In some Jewish communities, there was a custom to recite a special prayer text before and after lighting the candles. The Frierdiker Rebbe praised this custom, but when the Rebbe was asked about it, he responded: "I have not heard either for or against it, and I have not seen in the Rebbe's house any special prayer for candle lighting, therefore in my opinion one should not get involved with this."
 == Further Reading ==
@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 * "All the Candles Should Unite into One Great Torch and Great Fire that will Burn Away the Remnants of the Boundaries of Golus," in the Chayei Rebbi section, Kfar Chabad Weekly 2078, page 52
-[[Category:The Ten Mivtzoim]]
+== Refences ==
+[[Category:Mivtzoim]]
+[[he:מבצע נרות שבת קודש]]