Our Mitzvos
Our tradition teaches that the curtains of our Matriarch Sarah's tent were always open, and that, like her husband, Avrohom Avinu, she warmly welcomed guests and always made them feel at home. Sarah lit candles every Friday evening; miraculously they burned from one Shabbos to the next, never going out. The bread dough Sarah mixed and kneaded rose to miraculous heights, enough to feed her many lodgers. Finally, the Shechinah, the presence of Hashem, always rested above Sarah's tent. In spite of her countless virtues and merits, Rebbetzin Kanievsky was approachable, down to earth and extremely unassuming and humble. Nevertheless, the thousands of women who visited her each year and felt the holy aura she radiated, couldn't help but compare her to our Matriarch Sarah. When we perform mitzvos closely associated with Sarah, such as challah, prayer, lighting candles, and giving charity, we can feel the radiance that filled Sarah's tent—and that filled Rebbetzin Kanievsky's apartment—infuse our own homes with light and peace.
Baking Challah
Whether you buy or bake your challah; whether you prefer braided loaves or pull-aparts; whether your family enjoys plain or seeded, raisin or whole wheat, egg or water, say the word 'challah' and ...
Whether you buy or bake your challah; whether you prefer braided loaves or pull-aparts; whether your family enjoys plain or seeded, raisin or whole wheat, egg or water, say the word 'challah' and you can practically smell it fresh from the oven. Every Thursday, women would crowd into Rebbetzin Kanievsky's tiny kitchen to watch her bake challah. To watch the rebbetzin's challah baking demonstration video click this link /challah . The term 'hafrashat challah', or just challah, refers to the mitzvah of separating a small piece of dough from the larger batch, reciting a blessing over it, and disposing of it according to Jewish law. As she kneaded the dough and fulfilled the mitzvah of challah, Rebbetzin Kanievsky prayed fervently. Each woman present handed the rebbetzin a slip of paper with a list of the names of their loved ones and each one's personal request. Rebbetzin Kanievsky would intensly read off these names and offer a blessing to each one. The crowd would respond with a resounding "Amen."
Just as gathering to bake challah brought women together in Rebbetzin Kanievsky's home, family and friends come together each week around the Shabbos table. The two loaves of challah that we serve at every Shabbos and yom tov meal remind us of the double portion of Manna that fell on Fridays in the wilderness after our Exodus from Egypt. Two portions on Friday meant that the Jewish people did not have to collect manna on Shabbos, when Hashem ordained that we rest. Eating tranquil Shabbos and holiday meals together reminds us to pause in the midst of our busy lives, be thankful to Hashem Almighty for all that He has provided us with, and enjoy the peace of Shabbos permeating our home.
Lighting Candles
Shortly before sunset on Friday, Jewish women, and in some households, Jewish girls, light Shabbos candles. There are many traditions regarding lighting candles, including the number of candles a ...
Shortly before sunset on Friday, Jewish women, and in some households, Jewish girls, light Shabbos candles. There are many traditions regarding lighting candles, including the number of candles a woman lights—one, two, or a candle in honor of each member of the family. In the days before electricity, Shabbos candles not only ushered in the weekly day of rest, but served the practical purpose of lighting up the room. Now, electric lights brighten our homes, but it is the glow of the Shabbos candles that fills our abodes with warm light and shalom bayit—“peace in the home”—and reminds us of the presence of the Shechinah above Sarah’s tent. Rebbetzin Kanievsky lit Shabbos candles on a high, foil-covered shelf next to the bookcases filled with Rabbi Kanievsky’s seforim. For close to an hour she would sit across from the candles, her eyes covered, praying for her family and for hundreds of people, whose names she had memorized, imploring G-d to help them with the difficulties in their lives. So, too, in our homes, we keep in mind family members, friends, and others in need of G-d’s help as we light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles
Tefilah/Prayer
In Sefer Yermiyahu (33:3) the verse says, “Call upon Me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things such as you have never seen before.” Since the beginning of time, huma ...
In Sefer Yermiyahu (33:3) the verse says, “Call upon Me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things such as you have never seen before.” Since the beginning of time, human beings have spoken to their Creator, expressing gratitude, asking for mercy, looking for guidance. As a young girl, Rebbetzin Kanievsky prayed three times a day; she continued to do so after her marriage to Rabbi Kanievsky. For more than thirty years, it was Rebbetzin Kanievsky’s practice to daven Shacharis, Minchah, and Ma’ariv with a minyan, a quorum of ten, at the Lederman Shul, where Rabbi Kanievsky prays. Rabbi Kanievsky has taught that when Jews pray—and light candles and give tzedakah—as one unified group, it creates a protective shield around the entire Jewish nation. Whether it is the intensity and fervor of Rebbetzin Kanievsky’s personal prayers as she baked challah and lit Shabbos candles, or her decades-long devotion to praying with a minyan, the power of her prayer continues to inspire people all over the world. The vision of Rabbi Kanievsky and Ner Echad is to unite thousands of Jewish women in lighting candles and praying for each other right before Shabbos, unleashing extraordinary spiritual blessing and healing all over the world.
Tzedakah/Charity
It is taught that the world rests on three pillars: Torah, avodah (prayer), and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). As Jews, we are commanded to give—of our compassion, our time, and our ...
It is taught that the world rests on three pillars: Torah, avodah (prayer), and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). As Jews, we are commanded to give—of our compassion, our time, and our money. Rebbetzin Kanievsky opened her heart to all Jewish women, regardless of their backgrounds or level of observance. She was especially dedicated to helping the poorest of the poor and personally raised and distributed more than two million dollars a year to Israel’s widows and orphans. Candle lighting is an opportune time to thank The Almighty for His blessings and to think about people who are in need of our prayers, kindness, and charity. It is traditional to give money before candle lighting on Shabbos and holidays. Charity elevates our candle lighting and makes it an opportune time to beseech G-d for our needs. No amount of money is too small to be considered charity. Ner Echad is founded on the concept of unity in charity by giving just one dollar each week. It is an incredible thought that, like our collective prayer, the power of our tzedakah is multiplied when thousands of women give together at the same time each week.