The Tear Behind the Flame: A Deeper Look at Shabbat Candles | 10@9 | 2026.04.24

There are two purposes behind the beautiful, widespread practice of lighting Shabbat lights each Friday night: To create Shalom Bayit - a home filled with peace, warmth, and harmony - and to elevate the moment through blessing, intention, and heartfelt prayer. Rabbi Moshe Sherer, who devoted his life to serving the Jewish people, never forgot a moment from his childhood - when he quietly listened as his mother lit Shabbat candles, whispered her prayer, and shed a tear. These candles do not only light our homes - they illuminate our inner lives, our hopes, and our deepest relationships. This video explores the meaning behind a ritual so many of us know, and invites us to experience it with greater awareness, intention, and holiness. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.