Why Cover Eyes When Lighting Shabbat Candles?

When lighting shabbat candles, many adherents to Jewish faith traditions will cover their eyes for several reasons. First, it is a tradition stemming from Judaism’s mystical side, Kabbalah. It is meant to symbolize that the physical act of lighting the candle is only a small part of recognizing the holiness and beauty of shabbat. Secondly, covering one’s eyes represents humility before God. Shabbat is an especially holy day and acknowledging one’s religion plays a major role in celebrating it in all its glory and sanctity. Lastly, by closing one’s eyes during this ritualistic act, it helps to bring oneself into prayerful adoration with God so that they are able to call down the blessing of peace and happiness over their homes each Shabbat night when they say Kiddush or any other prayer meaningful to them on this special day. In sum, we can say that people often cover their eyes when lighting shibbat candles as an external signifier both for themselves personally but also for others around them witnessing that ‘small light performed by many observers reflecting itself off anew like diamonds across calm river waters through ancient times until today” showing what can be done enriching our sense faith in community.

Lighting Shabbat candles is a central part of the Jewish observance and celebration of Shabbat. While there are several reasons as to why one should cover their eyes when lighting the candles, the central practice can be traced back to a few specific principles.

The primary reason for covering one's eyes when lighting Shabbat candles has to do with sanctity and awe. During this brief moment, when the candles are lit, Judaism considers it a time of holiness and elevated spiritual experience. The custom of covering our eyes serves as an expression of respect for God; just as an anonymous scholar said centuries ago: “Covering your eyes before that great light...is like standing in blessèd modesty before Mighty and Grandeur” (Rabbi Avudraham). In addition, there is also an element here showing that we shouldn't be beholden only to physical things; instead, faith provides its own illumination even in moments where physical lights aren't present.

Furthermore, by covering our eyes during this sacred practice we can also show humility. When looking at how Hashem runs the world it's often not SO apparent or easy to interpret with our own limited understanding - so by covering our eyes each week during these sacred moments we're expressing recognition that HASHEM-Alone understands reality completely and we humans cannot comprehend its full breadth without due reverence.

In sum total then, while different people have different interpretations likely all connected back together this overall gesture reveals something powerful about creating relationships between people & God through acts of worship & devotion which transcend visible plane & ultimately generate connection rather than disconnection with divinity at large!

Lighting the Shabbat candles is a special ritual for Jewish families, and an important part of the celebration of this holy day. While most people may focus on the moment itself, there is also an important step before that—the blessing. Before saying blessings over the lights, many will signal their respect by covering their eyes in a gesture called Haneiros Halalu.

Covering one’s eyes during Shabbat candle lighting symbolizes our awareness of God’s presence as we honor Him with this special weekly ritual. Closing our eyes creates a heightened and focused space to reflect upon what we are about to do — to bless and rejoice in bringing light into darkness, which is symbolic for us of Christ becoming personal Lord and Savior of each one who acknowledges His name, who brings love and hope into hearts filled with fear and despair, whose blood paid for our sins – therefore any imperfection that still dwells in us was forgiven. By covering our eyes during the blessing over Shabbat candles we can show reverence to such mystery – beyond understanding yet deeply felt in our souls – allowing no distractions or distractions from intervening during such profound spiritual moment.

We become aware that at this point nothing exists apart from Him as sovereign Lord; nothing but His glory ruling omnipotent around us midst time immemorial when He said ‘Let there be light’ (Genesis 1:3). In essence no physical object matters more than recognizing His authority by covering our eyes reverentially even if only temporarily so its remembrance remains eternally embedded on hearts forever appreciating God's graciousness doing what Father wills best above all else (John 4:34), so Shabbat becomes celebrated not merely because it's commanded but also out respect for Who set forth these festivities (Deuteronomy 5:15). Most importantly such gesture tells others including family members present partaking together these holy moments earnestly conducted solely due detail- oriented acknowledgement sanctifying Creator establishing peace between parties congregated honoring Adonai offering blessed times glorifying Heavenly One thanks leading up Day Sabbath honored throughout ages gladdening many an entourage surrounding presence Christ’s love!

The eyes are a powerful organ and can easily take away from the meaningful spirituality of a Jewish blessing. By covering them with one’s hands or another object, it ensures that all focus is directed on the holiness of the prayer without any interference. It also sends a spiritual message. Covering one’s eyes sends the message that to experience true spiritual closeness with G-d, one must make himself vulnerable to completely surrender and have faith that his words are heard even though he cannot physically see G-d or know His whereabouts. This symbolic gesture serves as an empowering reminder that despite how alone we may feel in our times of prayer, we are never truly alone because G-d is listening intently.

The practice of covering one's eyes when lighting the Shabbat candles is a deeply symbolic expression of faith and reverence. By closing our eyes, we are temporarily denying ourselves the physical world in order to concentrate on our relationship with God. We are focusing on His spiritual presence and allowing it to fill our hearts, thus clearing us of all other distractions or preoccupations.

The act allows us to make a special renewed connection with God each week as candles burn continuously for 25 hours, representing two days where the sun behaves inconsistently—declaring 24-hour daylight on Shabbat despite changes in season. This unique unique occurrence acknowledges time being suspended as human beings stand still during these special moments - pausing from daily obligations for an entire day before engaging again dressed with intention and renewed spirit for the following six days of work.

These few brief moments also represent seeding intentions - healing hurts, releasing resentments; seeing past judgement; discarding envy; pausing pride-filled words prior to them even coming into existence – allowing growth in personal character traits that exceed mundane matters; enabling selflessness within every aspect of life’s affairs as one’s personal flame ignites true inner power from within! Ultimately these weekly reminders serve to reconnect oneself’s spiritual path leading closer towards their personal Jewish beliefs.

The act of covering our eyes when we light Shabbat candles sends a powerful and meaningful message. The simple act is symbolic of the idea that Shabbat is a time to step away from the physical world, to close off distractions, and to solely focus on spiritual values and personal growth. More than just turning off electronics or temporarily putting aside our regular routines, this gesture conveys that we are taking a moment away from otherwise busy lives to be mindful of what truly matters: connecting with God and those around us.

Just as the ancient sages lit the Shabbat candles each week as an expression of their faith in God – so too do modern Jews carry on this tradition. Lighting these sacred flames serves as a visual reminder that we should be engaging in activities which draw us closer not only with our Creator but also with one another. In fact, it has been said that by covering our eyes during this ritual we become more attuned to these spiritual connections rather than worldly ones.

Therefore, covering eyes during this special ritual manifests how much value we are placing on being connected not only externally but internally as well. As such, through this small gesture you resonate an important message throughout your home – one which echoes long after Shabbat has concluded: may all who enter here feel refreshed and spiritually fulfilled!

The significance of a woman covering her eyes when lighting Shabbat candles is a visual representation of submission, reverence, and introspection. It serves as a reminder that while one is engaging in the ritual of lighting the Shabbat candles, they should take time to reflect and connect with the spiritual realms beyond that physical space.

For many Jews around the world, this practice dates back to ancient times when Jewish women would cover their eyes so that they could be uninhibited by what lies in front of them—allowing for their minds to drift off into deep meditative states. They felt capable of communing deeply with divine forces and understanding truths about reality itself. Therefore by covering their eyes these women were metaphorically putting aside worldly distractions and engaging instead in an inner journey towards a higher realm.

In addition, some say that the custom was adopted from the verse contained in Psalms (27:8 - 9) which reads “When You said 'seek my face'; my heart said unto Thee; Your face O Lord will I seek” indicating one's desire to focus on connecting deeply with God during prayer times or religious ceremonies involving his presence such as lighting Shabbat candles.

Furthermore, modern feminist interpretations often view this symbolic gesture as reinforcing society’s tendency or expectation for women to stay submissive or remain marginalised within religious practices. For example within some Hasidic communities there exists traditional gender roles framed around men being favoured more than women thus limiting their involvement within certain sacred ceremonial rituals like candle-lighting where it is seen more as men's domain due them presiding over prayers often considered more important services than seen in the home ie domestic duties etc. Therefore a modern feminist interpretation would likely see this gesture not necessarily as relating solely to seeking out spiritual insight but perhaps also sending out strong messages regarding how society expects less power and influence from females especially those residing within conservative misogynistic frameworks prohibiting them from having equal importance placed onto both genders for sacramental acts such as candle-lighting therefore silencing any voices rising up against such inequality