Mivtza Neiros Shabbos Kodesh: Difference between revisions

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'''The "Shabbat Candles" Campaign (Nerot Shabbat Kodesh - נש"ק)''' is one of the ten campaigns announced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1974. The campaign aims to encourage Jewish women and girls aged three and older to light Shabbat candles every Friday.

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=== History ===

In previous generations, it was customary in certain Hasidic courts and other Jewish communities to begin lighting candles at a young age. For example, this practice was common in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vishnitz, and others in Lithuania, including Volozhin under Rabbi Chaim of Brisk.

----

=== Background ===

The campaign began after a report in the Chabad publication about the activities of Chabad women in Afula distributing Shabbat candle kits. Based on this, the Rebbe formally launched the campaign. The Rebbe encouraged all Jewish women and girls to engage in the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles, starting from an early age.

----

=== Launch of the Campaign ===

The campaign was officially launched on the 24th of Elul, 1974, during a talk in which the Rebbe urged every woman and girl to take part in the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. This would not only fulfill the mitzvah but also bring added spiritual and physical light to their homes.

Following the Rebbe’s directives, women across the world began distributing Shabbat candles at shopping centers, hospitals, and schools, helping Jewish women and girls light their candles on time. The campaign also emphasized the importance of adhering to the laws of modesty while engaging in this mitzvah.

The Rebbe also extended the campaign to include the lighting of Yom Tov candles. Over the years, the distribution of Shabbat candle kits expanded, especially in Israel, where Chabad women and girls continued to distribute these kits, reaching over 1.2 million households by 2019.

----

=== Rebbe’s Words Regarding the Campaign ===

The Rebbe explained that the purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to add both physical and spiritual light, counteracting the darkness that pervades the world. While it was once acceptable for girls to fulfill the mitzvah by lighting candles alongside their mothers, the Rebbe emphasized that it is now necessary for each girl to light her own candles and recite the blessing independently, to increase both physical and spiritual light.

The Rebbe also instructed that before lighting the candles, women should give charity, and the girls should also be taught to do so, as this would increase the light in their homes and hearts. The mitzvah should be performed with joy and good intention, as stated in the Zohar.

----

=== Time of Lighting ===

Girls typically begin lighting Shabbat candles when they understand the significance of the mitzvah. The first time they light candles is often during the first holiday when they can do so, so they can also recite the blessing of ''Shehechiyanu'' for this special occasion.

----

=== Candlesticks ===

At the beginning of the campaign, there were discussions about the types of candlesticks to distribute. The Rebbe instructed that candlesticks with a round base (as opposed to square bases, which were associated with churches) should be used. Eventually, it became common practice to distribute simple candlesticks as reminders for women to light Shabbat candles.

----

=== Initiatives Related to the Campaign ===

Following the Rebbe's announcement, Chabad members worldwide began using decorated cars with loudspeakers to announce the time for lighting Shabbat candles. In some cities, like Lod and Migdal HaEmek, this practice has continued for over 40 years.

----

=== Prayer at Candle Lighting ===

A custom among Jewish women is to pray after lighting the Shabbat candles, covering their faces with their hands. This practice is specifically for Shabbat candles, not for Yom Tov candles. In some communities, there is a special prayer said before and after lighting the candles. However, when asked about this custom, the Rebbe stated that it was not a universal practice and that there was no need to add this prayer.

This campaign is one of the three related to Jewish women, with the acronym ''Ch"n"e''—''Challah'' (the mitzvah of separating challah), ''Niddah'' (family purity), and ''Nerot'' (Shabbat and Yom Tov candle lighting).{{Template:The rebbe's Mivtzoim}}

[[Category:The Ten Mivtzoim]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Template:The rebbe's Mivtzoim}}
+'''The "Shabbat Candles" Campaign (Nerot Shabbat Kodesh - נש"ק)''' is one of the ten campaigns announced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1974. The campaign aims to encourage Jewish women and girls aged three and older to light Shabbat candles every Friday.
+----
+=== History ===
+In previous generations, it was customary in certain Hasidic courts and other Jewish communities to begin lighting candles at a young age. For example, this practice was common in the courts of Belz, Bobov, Ger, Vishnitz, and others in Lithuania, including Volozhin under Rabbi Chaim of Brisk.
+----
+=== Background ===
+The campaign began after a report in the Chabad publication about the activities of Chabad women in Afula distributing Shabbat candle kits. Based on this, the Rebbe formally launched the campaign. The Rebbe encouraged all Jewish women and girls to engage in the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles, starting from an early age.
+----
+=== Launch of the Campaign ===
+The campaign was officially launched on the 24th of Elul, 1974, during a talk in which the Rebbe urged every woman and girl to take part in the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. This would not only fulfill the mitzvah but also bring added spiritual and physical light to their homes.
+Following the Rebbe’s directives, women across the world began distributing Shabbat candles at shopping centers, hospitals, and schools, helping Jewish women and girls light their candles on time. The campaign also emphasized the importance of adhering to the laws of modesty while engaging in this mitzvah.
+The Rebbe also extended the campaign to include the lighting of Yom Tov candles. Over the years, the distribution of Shabbat candle kits expanded, especially in Israel, where Chabad women and girls continued to distribute these kits, reaching over 1.2 million households by 2019.
+----
+=== Rebbe’s Words Regarding the Campaign ===
+The Rebbe explained that the purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to add both physical and spiritual light, counteracting the darkness that pervades the world. While it was once acceptable for girls to fulfill the mitzvah by lighting candles alongside their mothers, the Rebbe emphasized that it is now necessary for each girl to light her own candles and recite the blessing independently, to increase both physical and spiritual light.
+The Rebbe also instructed that before lighting the candles, women should give charity, and the girls should also be taught to do so, as this would increase the light in their homes and hearts. The mitzvah should be performed with joy and good intention, as stated in the Zohar.
+----
+=== Time of Lighting ===
+Girls typically begin lighting Shabbat candles when they understand the significance of the mitzvah. The first time they light candles is often during the first holiday when they can do so, so they can also recite the blessing of ''Shehechiyanu'' for this special occasion.
+----
+=== Candlesticks ===
+At the beginning of the campaign, there were discussions about the types of candlesticks to distribute. The Rebbe instructed that candlesticks with a round base (as opposed to square bases, which were associated with churches) should be used. Eventually, it became common practice to distribute simple candlesticks as reminders for women to light Shabbat candles.
+----
+=== Initiatives Related to the Campaign ===
+Following the Rebbe's announcement, Chabad members worldwide began using decorated cars with loudspeakers to announce the time for lighting Shabbat candles. In some cities, like Lod and Migdal HaEmek, this practice has continued for over 40 years.
+----
+=== Prayer at Candle Lighting ===
+A custom among Jewish women is to pray after lighting the Shabbat candles, covering their faces with their hands. This practice is specifically for Shabbat candles, not for Yom Tov candles. In some communities, there is a special prayer said before and after lighting the candles. However, when asked about this custom, the Rebbe stated that it was not a universal practice and that there was no need to add this prayer.
+This campaign is one of the three related to Jewish women, with the acronym ''Ch"n"e''—''Challah'' (the mitzvah of separating challah), ''Niddah'' (family purity), and ''Nerot'' (Shabbat and Yom Tov candle lighting).{{Template:The rebbe's Mivtzoim}}
 [[Category:The Ten Mivtzoim]]