The Jewish Home is a Mini-Sanctaury

Parshat Behaalotcha begins with the topic of lighting the menorah (Bamidbar 8:1-2):

God spoke to Moshe saying: “Speak to Aaron and say to him: ‘When you light the lamps toward the face of the menorah shall the seven lamps cast their light.’”

The purpose of the menorah is to bring light.

Was the menorah lit for the sake of God or for the sake of man?

In Midrash Tanchuma (Tetzave 4) we learn:

God said, “I don’t need your light. It is because of my love for you that I want you to light the menorah. This way you can see where you are going.”

The menorah brought light to the mishkan (Tabernacle) to ensure that the Kohanim would see and do their jobs properly.

Lighting Shabbat candles in our homes on Erev Shabbat (the eve of Shabbat) is modeled after the lighting of the menorah in the mishkan and later in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). The Jewish home is considered to be a mini sanctuary (mikdash me’at).

There are two main reasons for lighting Shabbat candles. The first reason is for Kvod Shabbat (the honor of Shabbat) and the second reason is for Oneg Shabbat (the enjoyment of Shabbat).

Rambam, Shabbat 30:5 states:

A person should set their table on Erev Shabbat and have a candle lit…these are all done for Kvod Shabbat.

Rambam, Shabbat 5:1 states:

Men and women must have a candle lit for Shabbat. This is considered Oneg Shabbat. The light of the candle will help them not fall.

The Talmud, Shabbat 23b teaches:

If you have to choose between having wine for Kiddush or having a Shabbat candle lit, the candle is more important for the sake of Shalom Bayit, peace in the home.

May our Shabbat candles bring light, honor, joy and peace into our homes and may we merit to see the menorah lit in the Beit HaMikdash.