Candles lit on Friday night shortly before sunset mark the beginning of Shabbat. It is customary to light at least two candles which symbolizes the commandments of Shamor (keep) and Zachor (remember) the Shabbat. The two candles also represent the duality of body and soul, man and woman, creation and revelation. Candle blessing initiates the Shabbat and, thus, should be said after the candles are lit and not before as the Jewish law generally requires. Therefore, we cover our eyes in order to see the light as new after we say the blessing.
The most familiar melody of the candle blessing in America today is that of Abraham Binder (1895-1967) - an American-born synagogue composer, conductor, and scholar of Jewish music.
IN RUSSIAN:
Свечи зажигаются в пятницу вечером, незадолго до захода солнца, и знаменуют начало Шаббата. Обычно зажигают две свечи, которые символизируют заповеди Шамор (соблюдать) и Захор (помнить) Шаббат. Двe свечи также символизируют двойственность души и тела, мужчины и женщины, творения и знания. Благословением свечей мы начинаем Шаббат, и потому произносим его после того, как зажигаем свечи, а не до того, как обычно положено по еврейскому закону. Именно поэтому мы закрываем глаза, чтобы увидеть новый свет уже после благословения.
Наиболее известная мелодия для благословения свечей в Америке это мелодия Авраама Биндера (1895-1967) – композитора, дирижера, и специалиста еврейской музыки американского происхождения.
Translation:
Blessed are you, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
credits
from Zing Along Shabes,
released December 30, 2014
Melody by A. Binder. Cantors Maria Dubinsky and Natasha Hirschhorn
Zing Along Shabes is a companion musical recording to the Zing Along Shabes project, a set of materials to help families
foster traditions around celebrating Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The project was created by Inna Barmash, Dmitri Zisl Slepovitch and Irina Sheynfeld....more
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