Lighting on Time

by Tova Younger 
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What can we do to ensure that we light Shabbas ​candles right on time? It could be we need to re-inspire ourselves. Re-prioritize, refocus.

​How? Try some of these ideas:

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• Listen to some shiurim or read stories about the mesiras nefesh for Shabbas that Yidden have had throughout the ages.


• Hear about people who had very little and were desperate to earn money, but wouldn’t transact any business after midday erev Shabbas.


• Remind ourselves of those righteous people that would get ready early and recite Tehillim.


• Contemplate the Gadol Hador in Bnei Brak, who refused to use a fan during the week because he didn’t use electricity on Shabbas and wouldn’t make himself more comfortable during the week than on Shabbas! The heat and humidity would be intolerable for most of us.


• Speak to friends and investigate: Who is bentching licht early or on time? Pick their brains! Find out what their real approach is to preparing for Shabbas. Get their mindset and hear their inspirational thoughts. Try to indoctrinate yourself and incorporate their ideas into your own persona.


• We usually define shemiras Shabbos as keeping the Shabbas, but the shemira – the protection – extends to all of our lives. That is, when we watch over Shabbos, Shabbas watches over us. The pasuk (Shemos 31:16) says, “…for your generations.” It is for our children and the future of all the Jewish people. A very good return on our investment.

Hopefully those examples will create a greater desire within us to be ready on time. This story sums up the concept. A businessman was traveling through Europe and came to visit the Chofetz Chaim, hoping to get a bracha from the famous tzaddik. In the course of the conversation, the businessman revealed that his factory was not closed on Shabbas.

Let’s fire up our family with the excitement of welcoming Shabbas

When the Chofetz Chaim asked him how this could be, the visitor responded, “My business simply cannot be successful unless it operates on Shabbas. However, I will say this: If, after I explain how the business operates, the Chofetz Chaim can tell me how to close on Shabbas and still be profitable, I am willing to follow the suggestion.”

The Chofetz Chaim shook his head. “No. I will explain to you how important Shabbas is and you will figure out how to keep Shabbas and be profitable.”

Needless to say, we cannot equate lighting at the last minute to chilul Shabbas . As long as Shabbas is brought into the home before shkia, the minimum requirement is fulfilled. But we would be remiss to do the minimum in this area, when we seek much more than the minimum in so many areas of our lives. As the Chofetz Chaim explains, if we can acquire the proper mindset, the rest will fall into place.  

Let’s use our imagination and fire up our family with the excitement of welcoming Shabbas as befits the Shabbas queen. Tell stories; there are plenty and we can create more. Young children will be delighted to hear about how some imaginary family gets ready for Shabbas; you can elaborate and add on as your audience’s interest allows