Sabbath Candle Lighting Times and Torah Portion Insights for October 9, 2026
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
This article details the Sabbath candle lighting times for October 9, 2026, in major Israeli cities and recites the traditional blessing. It also delves into the week's Torah portion, "Bereishit," offering interpretations from Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook and Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin. These interpretations focus on finding joy in life's journey, the importance of selfless service over competition, and the value of constructive disagreement in relationships.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sabbath candles will be lit at specific times on October 9, 2026, in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, and Eilat.
- The weekly Torah portion is "Bereishit," which discusses creation and early human relationships.
- Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook's interpretation emphasizes enjoying life's process over solely focusing on the end result.
- The article links the Hebrew word for sun, 'shemesh,' to 'to serve,' 'leshammesh,' promoting selfless service.
- Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin's view suggests constructive disagreement can be a form of helpful support.
The article provides the times for lighting Sabbath candles and the end of the Sabbath on Friday, October 9, 2026, for several Israeli cities: Jerusalem (17:34, 18:49), Tel Aviv (17:55, 18:51), Haifa (17:44, 18:50), Beersheba (17:56, 18:51), and Eilat (17:56, 18:51). It also includes the text of the blessing recited during candle lighting: "Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat" (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to light the Sabbath candle).
This week's Torah portion is "Bereishit." The text highlights a detail from the creation story where the earth was meant to produce trees with wood tasting like fruit, but only the fruits ended up tasting good. Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook interpreted this as an allegory for life, where the "tree" represents the journey and the "fruit" the result. He suggested that people often focus on the end goal, finding the daily effort bitter, while true harmony lies in enjoying the process itself.
A similar lesson is drawn from the story of the sun and moon, initially created equal. According to the Midrash, the moon was diminished not as punishment, but because it misunderstood its role, seeing the sun as a rival. Their true purpose, the article explains, was to give light, with the Hebrew word for sun, "shemesh," being related to the word for "to serve," "leshammesh." The key to life's joy, it suggests, is shifting focus from ego-driven competition for status to selfless service.
Finally, the article touches upon the Torah's description of the first woman as a "helper opposite him." Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin explained that true support involves not blind agreement but the ability to gently offer a different perspective and temper a partner's impulsiveness. Constructive disagreement, or "opposite," can be the highest form of care, or "helper."
