Passing on the Flame

Zach Horwitz
Columbia College of Chicago

I have always thought of candles when I think about Judaism. They are beautiful symbols of our religion, but they are much more than that. They are tangible, practical objects that we frequently use in our religious practice. I remember as a child noticing hanukkiot in my friends’ houses. I would just think to myself, "Wow, they are really Jewish!" As I’ve grown up and explored these ideas, I have come to some conclusions.

We live in a society in which many Jewish families don’t even light their candles. Many people, including me, only visit their congregations during the High Holidays. It’s understandable that many of us just Americanize our religious life, yet I find myself missing out on something greater. When I think about how easy it is to light Shabbat candles every Friday night, I am somewhat embarrassed that I don’t regularly do it myself.

No matter how crazy life can be sometimes, it is consistency that we take pleasure in. Without being critical, we must light the candles when we can. It’s tough to live an ideally Jewish life – one that cannot be challenged. However, candles play such an important role in everyday Judaism, as well as having special meaning in our rich history. Virtually every Jewish gathering and celebration involves candles. The result is that candles take on a special role as we live our lives from birth to death. They are always there with us as a reminder not only of the beauty of our religion, but of what we as Jews have faced in our existence. From the beauty of the Jerusalem streets to the horrific events that took place in the Warsaw ghettos, candles have had their place in our past.

So why should we light candles? We need to light candles as a reminder to live our lives in the Jewish way. As we look into the flame, maybe we can glance at the deep Jewish traditions in which we take part. Consider lighting the candles as a gateway to exploring all that is wonderful about our religion. Judaism really is something special that we are lucky enough to immerse ourselves in if we just take the time. Is there anything really more important?

As I think about my past and the presence of candles, I also look forward to the future. I hope to raise a family where lighting the candles is a regular practice. As my children grow up, I want them to enjoy getting the candles out and gathering around the table. I may not have grown up in a household that lit candles every week, but that’s one of the beauties of raising children. You get to introduce them to everything you enjoy about Judaism. I can show my children the beauty behind lighting candles and hide them from the torture that is my mother’s kugel.

So many Jewish traditions involve community, which is certainly a good thing; however, lighting the candles can be a personal experience. It doesn’t require a group and it can mean different things to different people. With that said, I ask that you consider lighting Shabbat candles in the near future. It can be with your family, your friends or just yourself. Light the candles and take a minute to think "What does this candle mean to me?"

Zach Horwitz will be a junior at Columbia College of Chicago in the fall. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he aspires to establish a career in the music business. He enjoys learning, writing, going to concerts and spending time with his family. He hopes to one day travel again in Israel.

[Posted 4/5/05]