Judaism loves candles. We welcome Shabbat with Shabbat candles, and we say goodbye to Shabbat with a Havdalah candle. Then, there are the Chanukah candles.
The difference between these candles is not just the times when they are lit, but also the different types of candles. For Shabbat, any candles will do. For Havdalah, we light a twisted candle made with multiple wicks. And on Chanukah, we prefer to light wicks in oil since that is what the miracle occurred with, but one may use candles, and any candles will do. The similarity between them is that all of the flames provide us with light and warmth. In addition, the flames represent our souls.
What is interesting is that each type of candle has its day in the home. However, when Chanukah falls on Friday night, we light two kinds of candles: We light Chanukah candles and then Shabbat candles, almost at the same time.
The question is: Do we need both sets? Can one set take the place of the other?
Back in the day, when many Jews were very poor, the question was a serious one, especially when a family had money for only one kind of candle. Which candle takes precedence, the Shabbat candle or the Chanukah candle? And if using just one candle, which blessing should be made?
To decide which candle takes precedence, we should first understand their functions.
Shabbat candles are lit to bring peace, light, and warmth into our homes. They make our Shabbat table meaningful, and our home, more peaceful. Their light brings the whole family together.
Chanukah candles are lit to bring light into the world. In such a spiritually deprived world, a world that could attempt to destroy our temple, we bring light to make it a brighter place.
The difference between the two is that Shabbat is about the home – hence the reason we place the candles on our dining room tables – while Chanukah candles are for outside the home – to bring light to the world – and the reason we place the candles on our windowsills, where all can see.
Now that we know the different functions of the candles, we can understand which candles take precedence: the Shabbat candles, of course!
If there is no peace in the home, then how can we expect to bring peace into the world?
Thank G-d, today most do not have to choose between the two kinds of candles. However, the lesson still applies.
Let us bring the same excitement that we experience by lighting Chanukah candles, to lighting Shabbat candles. In the same way we make sure that our family is with us when we light Chanukah candles, let’s make sure our family is with us when we light Shabbat candles. Our enthusiasm doesn’t wane throughout all eight days of Chanukah, so let’s ensure the excitement of lighting the Shabbat candles doesn’t wane either.
Standing at the commencement of the new (secular) year, let us make a Jewish resolution, a resolution to make lighting Shabbat candles as special in our homes as lighting Chanukah candles.