This poster was published in Israel in 1943. The text reads “building Israel just by observing Shabbat.” The text appears on the map of Israel showing Israel, the Mediterranean Sea, the Kinneret, (the Sea of Galilee) and the Dead Sea. Next to the Kinneret is a depiction of a “tower and stockade settlement” with a fence, tents, and a watchtower. Next to the coast is a city with a main street, houses, and trees. The map was published in 1943 in a journal called Shabbat Candles. The organisation sponsoring it is named at the bottom of the poster: The National Centre of Associations for the Safeguarding of Shabbat in Eretz Israel. From other publications of this organisation, it seems to have been connected to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel that was headed at the time by Rabbi Isaac Herzog and Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel. Their message was that the success and prosperity of the Land of Israel depended on keeping the Shabbat and, in general, preserving Jewish tradition in Israel. This poster, with its message that is both Zionist and religious, is not typical of posters from that time.
During the 1940s Israel was under the rule of the British Mandate. During this time Israel was developing rapidly: new cities, towns, and kibbutzim were being founded, the economy was growing, and state infrastructures, later integral to the State of Israel, were being established. The Jewish population was attempting to find ways to integrate Jewish identity, culture, and tradition into the public domain. While some people strove to create a “New Jew” – a contemporary Israeli with modern traditions and cultures – others fought to preserve a traditional Jewish atmosphere in Israel. The question of how to observe Shabbat in the public domain has been an issue since the very beginning of the Zionism movement and remains controversial even today.
The poster also reflects different types of settlements that were established in Israel in the 1940s. On the top of the poster there is a “tower and stockade settlement.” These were settlements that were built in Mandatory Israel when the establishment of new Jewish settlements was restricted. The Turkish law, still in force at the time of the British Mandate, stated that an illegal building or settlement could not be demolished if a fence and tower had been built. Jewish settlers would therefore build the beginnings of new settlements by rapidly and secretly, often overnight, erecting a tower and a fence, so that the Mandate police could not block them. In this way 57 settlements were built, including the kibbutzim Tirat Zvi, Ein Gev, Hanita, Ma’ale Hachamisha, and Ein Hashofet.
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Shabbat Candles – Shabbat candles are lit to usher in Shabbat on Friday night. At least two candles are lit, although many people light more, with two candles represent the two versions of the commandment to celebrate Shabbat found in the ten commandments: one using the word shamor (keep) and one using the word zachor (remember). Candles are lit for the purpose of shalom bayit (peace in the house) and oneg Shabbat (Shabbat pleasure), since without the light of the candles, the family would not be able to see or enjoy their Shabbat dinner. The candles are therefore traditionally lit on the dining room table or in the room where the meal will be eaten. The procedure for lighting Shabbat candles includes reciting the blessing for the candles, which officially initiates Shabbat. The candles are usually lit by the women of the family, and while reciting the blessing they traditionally stretch their arms to hide the flames, as seen in the picture
