Sacred Light of Peace

There is talk of war happening in Israel. There is an actual projection of as early as next week. This could be pretty significant since warfare has progressed in our time and we know for sure that certain of our neighbors have been preparing to attack. There's so much I could write about this but I'll be short here. I have a request. It's pretty simple really. It would take less than five minutes and bring peace into your life and home. Would you light Sabbath candles this Friday before sundown? 

In a nutshell: 

• Give a coin or two to charity
• Light one or two candles (these will stay lit until they burn themselves out and you don't touch them or even the candle sticks until after sunset on Saturday night)

This is the sacred light that a Jewish woman can bring into the world. 

It is the light of peace.

• Once the candles are lit, circle your hands to bring the light into you and your home.

(I always have a deep breath here as I let go of the day and week.)

• Here is where you can say the ancient words that our grandmothers and great grandmothers said as they performed the same ritual:
• Cover your eyes, or, avert them from the flames as you read

בָּרוּך אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-להֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם אַשֶׁר קִדְשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶל שַבָּת קודֶש

Transliteration (how the Hebrew sounds but with English letters):

Baruch a-tah Ah-doe-nai

El-o-hay-new mel-ekh ha-oh-lahm

ah-share kid-dish-ah-new

be-mitz-vote-av

ve-tzi-vah-new

le-hahd-lick nehr shel 

Shabbat koh-desh

Translation:

Blessed are you Lord, our God, 

King of universe,

who has made us holy with His commandments,

and commanded us to light the candle of the holy Shabbat

• In the stillness of the moment, take the time to ask God for anything your heart desires from the smallest to the most profound. Ask for yourself, ask for your family, ask for your nation, ask for your world.

More than ever we need light in this world. This ritual will bring light into your personal life and that will radiate out in ways we can not really comprehend, but I'm certain--without a doubt--that it makes a difference.

Thank you.

Sending love,  hugs, and blessings for all revealed good,

Laya

PS please share this freely. <3