This is a postcard with Geskel Saloman’s painting The Blessing of the Sabbath Lights, a painting that was completed in 1900. The picture depicts two women lighting Shabbat candles in a dining room. The room is decorated with plush draperies, wainscoting, and a dining room table with six chairs. The table is set for Shabbat dinner with a tablecloth, dishes, wine, and flowers. A large candelabra with four lit candles sits in the centre of the table. Two women, one older and one younger, are saying the blessing over the Shabbat candles. The candles are lit, and the women have their arms raised with their hands blocking the sight of the flames.
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Shabbat – Shabbat is the Jewish name for Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. According to Jewish tradition, this day commemorates the final, seventh day of God’s creation of the world. Shabbat is observed from just before sunset on Friday night until the appearance of three stars on Saturday night. The Talmud devotes an entire tractate to the rules of Shabbat and derives 39 types of forbidden activities. These include using electricity, writing, and other actions that are considered forms of creating. Shabbat is, instead, a day for family, community, prayer, and reflection. Traditionally Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles, reciting the blessings over wine, Kiddush, and over the two loaves of special Shabbat bread, challah, and enjoying a festive meal. Shabbat is marked in the synagogue by a special additional prayer, known as Musaf, and the reading of the weekly Torah portion. The end of Shabbat is marked by the Havdalah ceremony. In Israel, secular Jews also enjoy Shabbat by eating Friday night dinner with their family and friends and spending time together in the countryside or on the beach. Most workplaces are closed on Shabbat.
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.
Geskel Saloman – Geskel Saloman was a Danish-Swedish Jewish painter who lived from 1820 to 1902. He was a professor at the Art Academy of Stockholm and was the royal portrait painter. Saloman’s works include News from the Crimean War and Ahasuerus and the Angel of Death.
