In the second paragraph of Lecha Dodi we recite the following: “Observe” and “Remember,” the one and only God caused us to hear in a single utterance: the L-rd is One and His Name is One, for renown, for glory and for praise.
One of the great and beautiful Mitzvot which has been made the privilege of women, is the lighting of the shabbat candles (at least 18 minutes before sunset on the eve of Shabbat). It is customary for the wife to light at least two candles, one for Shamor - “Observe,” and one for Zachor - “Remember.” Our sages speak with extraordinary reverence and in mystical terms of this great mitzvah and special privilege of the Jewish woman. They point out that by lighting Shabbat candles Jewish women help spread the “tabernacle of peace” over our people, and illuminate the souls that are the “lights” of the world.
The Rebbe has strongly urged that unmarried women and little girls old enough to be trained in Jewish customs and mitzvot, from about the age of three years and older, should also light their own candle before Shabbat and recite the blessing over it. He had declared that this is especially vital now that the peace of the world in general, and of our people in particular, is so greatly threatened. “In a world plunged with darkness” he has said, “each and every Jewish girl lighting a Shabbat candle helps bring a little more pure light into the home and into the world, and all G-d’s blessings that go with it.
Prayer translation and insights are copyright Kehot publication Society.