Shabbat Shalom!

Arlene Blackman Yolles ♦ August 13, 2023 ♦ 2 Comments

When I was growing up, my mother lit candles every Friday night for Shabbos (we used the Yiddish word, accent on the first syllable, as opposed to nowadays most people say “Shabbat,” accent on the second syllable.)  As an adult, however, I have rarely lit candles except when my daughter was with us for the evening, as she has started lighting candles after getting married.

A few days ago, I was coming home from Manhattan on a Friday, riding on the Metro North railroad.  I watched as two young religious men, with yamulkas and tzitzits (the fringes or tassels worn on the prayer shawl by Jewish males), approached another man, whom they obviously did not know, and ask him a question.  The man stood up and the two religious men then ceremoniously wrapped phylacteries around his arm.  A phylactery is a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.

They then said a prayer that the stranger repeated. My son, who lives in California, said that that has happened to him at least twice, where he was approached by Chabad members and wrapped with phylacteries.

Soon, the two religious men walked up the aisle, asking random people, “Are you Jewish?”  When I answered yes, they said, “Do you know what time to light the Shabbos candles?”  I said no and they proceeded to tell me.  They then asked if I had Shabbos candles.  I answered in the affirmative.  “Shabbat Shalom!” they said.

When I arrived home, I decided that I would light the candles.  If these young men made such an effort to assure that one Jewish woman observe the Sabbath, I would follow through.

Another week has passed and I have lit candles again.  I am planning to make it a Friday night ritual, thanks to two dedicated Chabad members.