Runya’s Mitzvah Project

Challah  

When our ancestors settled the land of Israel, one of the many gifts they were commanded to give to the Kohanim (priests who served in the Holy Temple) was Challah. In today's modern world, the popular usage of the word Challah refers to the two braided loaves of bread served at the traditional Shabbat meal. Its basic, Biblical meaning, however, refers to the piece of dough that is separated and consecrated to G-d with the blessing "who has sanctified us and commanded us to separate the challah", every time we bake bread. It also represents the goodness of heart you wish your family to embrace in the giving of yourselves to others. Jewish women throughout the world have practiced this beautiful, life affirming mitzvah for hundreds of generations. 

Candle Lighting

 The Shabbat candles have ushered the holiness of Shabbat into the Jewish home for thousands of years. 

The primary function of the Shabbat candles is to bring peace and tranquility into the home and to enhance our enjoyment of the Shabbat meal. The candles also serve to remind us of the spiritual dimensions of Shabbat: just as a physical candle reveals the otherwise unseen contents of a room, so, too, in a spiritual sense, the Shabbat candles reveal the unseen and intangible G-dly energy which permeates our existence.

The mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles rests upon all members of the household. But it is the woman of the house, in her role as the mainstay of the home, who does the actual lighting.

The Shabbat candles are lit Friday evening, eighteen minutes before sunset.

The time of candle lighting is an especially auspicious time for private prayer. From behind covered eyes, women throughout history have whispered prayers for health and happiness, and for children who will illuminate the world with good. Take a few moments to whisper your own prayers, allowing the unique holiness of the time to permeate your prayers and convey them on high. 

Ambience

 As a woman, the potential giver of life, you hold the power to elevate your home and family from the physically mundane to the spiritually sublime. The way you conduct yourself brings holiness and blessing, not only to your most physical self, but sanctifies your entire family and your entire home. 

A woman establishes a home where G–d’s Presence is felt on every day of the week; and not only when engaged in prayer and learning Torah but also when engaged in very ordinary activities such as eating and drinking etc., in accordance with the directive, "Know Him in all your ways." A staple of Jewish life is tznius or tzniut (צְנִיעוּת), modesty. In the way we walk down the street, in the way we interact with others, and in the way we dress. As G‑d’s children, we must act and look the part, by conducting ourselves with dignity and modesty.

Tzedakah

 Tzedakah (צְדָקָה) -often translated as charity - is a mainstay of Jewish life. The sages teach that the world was built upon kindness. Tzedakah goes one step beyond. Literally translated as "justice" or "righteousness," tzedakah tells us that sharing what we have with others isn't something special. It's the honest and just thing to do. 

Tzedakah is not limited to gifts of money. Sharing time, expertise, or even a kind smile are all forms of charity.

No matter how much you were blessed with, you can always share with others. Throwing a coin into a charity box every morning (except for Shabbat and Jewish holidays) sets the tone for the rest of the day. So make sure to make it a habit.