By Jenna Weberman
Each Friday night, my family gathers to light Shabbat candles. After taking turns lighting our own, we’ve had a tradition all throughout my life in which we light one additional candle. One reason for this final candle is connection: when we light the final candle, we physically link together, touching someone who is ultimately lighting the candle. Through this, we connect both physically and metaphorically as a family, and feel connected to all Jews around the world. Another reason is to bring in the light for those who can’t, either because they’re physically incapable, out serving a cause that prevents them from being home, or no longer alive so we light in their memory. The third reason for linking to light the final candle is that keeping this tradition each week is my family’s way of intentionally inviting a holiness to our Friday nights. We sanctify Shabbat by pausing on our last candle to take in the spirit of Shabbat and, in that moment, acknowledge the holiness, or Kedusha of Shabbat.
Rabbi Zeff’s processing group had the opportunity to reflect on Kedusha. Kedusha is the Hebrew word for “holy,” and we took time to fully and deeply understand what holiness means as well as different people, places, and experiences that can be holy. It was interesting to hear everyone’s different interpretations of Kedusha and when they experience holiness. Rabbi Zeff pushed this concept farther, as we grew to understand Kedusha as a separation from the typical.
In the source sheet we received, the following was quoted from Genesis: “And G-d blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it G-d ceased from all the work of creation that G-d had done.” This explains both the Kedusha of Shabbat and the idea that as a separation from the rest of the week, we create holiness around this day.
Our group shared our various Shabbat traditions and how we find Kedusha in our personal expressions of Shabbat and other holy times. This sparked an interesting discussion regarding the how we make Shabbat and other moments of connection holy. From that idea arose a conversation regarding the value of intention and whether or not intentionality is imperative to finding holiness. Ultimately, I believe that through acknowledging and appreciating moments of holiness and connection, we can continue to cultivate a deeper understanding of Kedusha, as we work to inviting more meaning into our lives.
