Every Friday night, my family ushers in Shabbat with the lighting ("lichtbentschen") of candles. Jews have been doing this for millenia. In some times of persecution, candles were lit in secret, for fear of being found out. The "Conversos" of southwest and central America (the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico) lit candles and some did not know why, after so many lost generations, they were following this practice on Friday evenings.
We are all familiar with the Shabbat candle, mounted in pairs in family heirloom candle holders. But did you ever think about the environmental impact of lighting these candles? They are made from paraffin and that comes from oil. Most paraffin oil comes out of the ground and we all know where that comes from. Is there a way to observe this mitzvah without burning oil which might be imported?
The answer is yes. Soy can be used to make candles. Soybeans are grown in America. And the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs has commissioned the creation of new Shabbat Eco-Candles.
Contact your local synagogue or its Men's Club for more information. Or check out the information at our own website: http:// www.nnjr.org
Thanks and enjoy the soy! Lo shemen achshav!
Eric Weis
Regional President,
Northern NJ Region
Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
No comments:
Post a Comment