Shabbat Candle Lighting Times and Weekly Torah Portion 'Lech-Lecha'
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The article provides Shabbat candle lighting times for October 23-24 in Israeli and international cities. It delves into the weekly Torah portion "Lech-Lecha," analyzing Abraham's request for Sarah to pose as his sister to ensure his safety. The text emphasizes the prominent role of women in Jewish tradition and family life, citing biblical examples and divine instructions. It also details the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles, its spiritual significance, and the associated blessing.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shabbat candle lighting times for October 23-24 are provided for numerous Israeli and international cities.
- The Torah portion 'Lech-Lecha' is analyzed, focusing on Abraham's strategic request for Sarah to pose as his sister.
- The article argues that women hold a central and critical role in Jewish tradition and family life.
- Abraham's actions are explained as a diplomatic strategy to navigate danger in ancient times.
- The significance and practice of lighting Shabbat candles, a commandment for Jewish women, are detailed.
- A blessing for lighting Shabbat candles is provided in Hebrew and transliteration.
The article provides specific times for Shabbat candle lighting and its conclusion on October 23-24 in various Israeli cities and international diaspora locations. In Jerusalem, candles are lit at 17:18 on Friday and extinguished at 18:34 on Saturday. Times vary across Israel, with Tel Aviv and surrounding areas lighting at 17:38 and ending at 18:36. Diaspora cities listed include Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, Prague, Berlin, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Melbourne, with corresponding lighting and extinguishing times.
The weekly Torah portion, "Lech-Lecha," is discussed, focusing on a narrative where Abraham asks his wife Sarah to pretend to be his sister to protect him from potential harm in Egypt. The text questions Abraham's actions, noting his bravery in rescuing his nephew Lot, and suggests this was a strategic diplomatic move. In that era, a woman's brother, not her husband, would negotiate marriage, thus making Sarah the point of contact and protecting Abraham. The article notes Sarah was Abraham's half-sister, making the deception partially true.
An anecdote about a poor man named Moishe and his five daughters illustrates Abraham's strategy of delaying a potentially dangerous situation. Moishe accepted a seemingly impossible task from a landowner to teach a dog to sing for a large sum, intending to wait for either the landowner or the dog to die. This "buy time" approach, the article suggests, is how Jews historically survived.
The piece further explores the significant role of women in Jewish tradition, citing instances where matriarchs like Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah were instrumental in divine plans and family matters. It highlights that God instructed Abraham to obey Sarah's voice in all matters, and that Isaac and Jacob followed this precedent. The article asserts that women hold a crucial, not secondary, position in Jewish families, contrary to some claims.
Finally, the article details the mitzvah (commandment) of lighting Shabbat candles, traditionally performed by women about 20 minutes before sunset. It emphasizes the spiritual significance, linking it to bringing peace, children who illuminate the world, and longevity. The practice involves lighting at least two candles, often more for each child, in the room where the meal will take place. The blessing for lighting Shabbat candles is provided in Hebrew and transliteration.
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