About nine months ago, I posted a poll, asking if there was anyone willing to contribute money to fund an overhaul of this website.  Since 2006, I have personally covered all expenses (domain purchase and renewal, hosting fees, writing weekly articles for the site), but I didn't have the funds to cover the purchase of tools required to upgrade the website's underlying infrastructure.  This past May, I actually had to downgrade our website's security because the latest version of the infrastructure was too modern to work with some of the legacy content.

Here in Windsor, there is a non-Jewish friend of our shul who has contributed in so many ways to make things easier for me.  We've known each other for over 30 years.  His name is Michael.  I'm withholding his last name because he is too modest to take credit for his works of charity.  Over the past month, Michael has contributed funds to begin the modernization of our website.  This modernization will be done in two stages:

1. Bringing the legacy content up to a level where it is compatible with the most modern infrastructure
2. Taking the next step to transform the website into a more modern platform, capable of working with today's mobile devices

With Michael's help, the first stage has been completed.  Frequent visitors to this site will notice that it runs significantly faster (thanks to a move to a new hosting platform and a more responsive server).  Step two will take time to properly plan and execute.  Hopefully, other members of the local community will step up to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  For now, however, I want to personally offer a hearty Yasher Koach to my friend and friend of the shul, Michael.

Jack Eisenberg, Webmaster

Blessings and Instructions for Shabbat Candles

Lighting Shabbat candles on Friday as evening approaches delineates the beginning of Shabbat. Tradition teaches us that we are partners with God.  Candle lighting is a sacred deed which allows us to symbolically participate in the act of creation: "Let there be light."  Traditionally, two candles are lit, representing the two times that the fourth Commandment is cited in the Torah: "Remember – Zachor" (Ex. 20:8)/Observe – Shamor" (Dt. 5:12) the Sabbath Day."

Shabbat candles serve at least two purposes: (shalom bayit -- harmony in the home), for they provide light and a "candle light" atmosphere for the Friday night meal, and ( oneg Shabbat -- the joy of Shabbat), as they symbolize the light and gladness that Shabbat provides for us.  In order to fulfill both purposes, the candles should be lit at the place where the meal will be eaten.

To prepare for candle lighting, look up the correct candle-lighting time above, or obtain a calendar with Jewish information from a local organization.  Candles are lit between a half hour and 15 minutes before sunset with many authorities holding that the proper time is at least 18 minutes before.  Choose a place for the candles to stay throughout Shabbat.  Set your candles in the candlesticks and have a match and matchbook set beside them.  Finally, at candle-lighting time, assemble the family.

The order for lighting candles at the beginning of Shabbat is unique.  Normally a brakhah is said immediately before doing a mitzvah, fulfilling a commandment, and the mitzvah follows without interruption after the brakhah.  Since Shabbat starts once we say the brakhah, we cannot light the candles after saying the brakhah.  We solve this problem by performing this mitzvah in the following order:

• 1. Light the Shabbat candles.  Every Jew is obligated to light candles; when both man and woman are present, traditionally the woman has lit them for all who are present because this is one of the mitzvot traditionally assigned to women.
• 2. Many follow the custom of drawing their hands to their faces three times in a circular motion, beckoning Shabbat to enter.
• 3. After the third circle, the person saying the brakhah closes her/his eyes and/or shields the eyes with the hands and says the brakhah.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Who rules the universe, instilling in us the holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.

• 4. After the brakhah, the eyes are uncovered, and the person who has made the brakhah then looks at what are now the lit Shabbat candles for the first time.  Personal prayers of thanks may be silently added after the brakhah.  It is customary for everyone to wish each other "Shabbat Shalom."