Think global. Act local.
What if someone said to you, "I love you, but I don't like your children?"
You might say: "You may think that you love me, but you don't really.
You don't care for what I care most deeply about. Obviously, you don't know anything about me, and you don't know what love is, either!"
Wanna know the quickest way to G-d’s heart? Loving who G-d loves. People.
There is a reason the Mitzvah of loving your fellow is kinda high up there as far as Mitzvot go.
“ A soul may descend into this world for 70 or 80 years for the sole mission of doing a favor for another person.”
- The Baal Shemtov
What does Jewish unity look like?
Judaism is not a religion.
Nothing can be further from the truth. And perhaps, this is a most detrimental mistaken idea.
If Judaism is a religion, then some Jews are more Jewish, some less Jewish, and many Jews not Jewish at all.
That is a lie.
We are all one. No matter how involved we are in Jewish life, how many Mitzvot we observe, or even how conscious we are of our Jewish identity, we are all equally Jewish.
Because Judaism is not a religion. It is a soul. A single soul that radiates into many bodies, each ray shining forth on its unique mission, bettering the world in its own special way.
A healthy body is one where every part works in harmony. A healthy society is one big, caring family where each person is concerned for the other as for their own self.
Where one person faces rough times and the others hold their hands. Where one meets good fortune and all of us celebrate. Where no one is labeled or alienated for his or her beliefs, behaviors or background. Where each runs to do an act of kindness for the other, and shuts their eyes and ears to the other’s shame.
And if, for whatever reason, one may slight the other, then all is sensibly worked out. Or maybe just forgotten—as the right hand forgives the left for striking it out of clumsiness.
In a world that seems increasingly polarizing, this Mitzvah is all the impactful.
How to show your love
Take a moment to think of a practical way to be more conscious about, and actively involved in helping people. Here are some ideas that the Torah suggests:
1. Start each morning by saying the mantra, “I accept upon myself the mitzvah to love my fellow just as I love myself.”
2. Speak only good about other people. Don’t even listen to a bad word, unless some real benefit will come to this person through your conversation.
3. Look for opportunities to do another person a favor.
4. Support a free loan fund.
5. Bring people together. Tear down the false barriers of age, affiliation and ethnicity.
6. Invite other Jews to share in the most precious thing we have—our Torah and our mitzvahs.
How do we light?
First up: Thinking of others. It us customary to give some coins to charity before candle lighting. Before praying to G-d, we sure do want to express kindness to others.
Use your hands to shield your eyes from the flames and recite the blessing while your eyes are covered.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדֶשׁ
Transliteration: Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr shehl shah-baht koh-dehsh.
Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.
The blessings vary for holiday candle lighting. Click here for the full List of Shabbat and Holiday Candle Blessings
Candle lighting is a beautiful and opportune time for private prayer. After making the blessing, take a moment to pray for you and those you love. This is your private time with G-d.
Uncover your eyes, gaze at the Shabbat lights and greet your family with "Good Shabbos" or "Shabbat Shalom."
Once you light the candles, you have accepted Shabbat. Embrace the peace, relaxation and blessed energy of this holy day.