On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat.
Shabbat Chanukah is an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between two similar and important mitzvot, lighting candles on Chanukah and lighting candles on Shabbat. Is there a relationship between these two types of fire that we have a sacred obligation to light? Which one of the two is more important than the other?
The Talmud discusses this latter question with respect to a person who only has enough money to buy oil for one candle. Such a person should prioritize lighting Shabbat candles over Chanukah candles.
The reason for this has to do with the respective purposes of each type of candle.
Chanukah candles are meant to illuminate the outside for the purpose of pirsumei nisa-publicizing the miracles of Chanukah. In particular, the endurance of the Jewish people and its commitment to Torah in the face of persecution and pressure to assimilate.
Shabbat candles, by contrast, serve to illuminate the inside, the home, for the purose of shalom bayit-peace within the family or home. Shabbat is meant to be a time of joy within the house and should not be tainted by strife caused by darkness.
The reason Shabbat candles take precedence over Chanukah candles is that the miracle celebrated by the Chanukah candles is only possible with the familial peace symbolized by the Shabbat candles. Jewish survival and continuity is powered by the engine of the Jewish family and home. The home is the building block of the entire Jewish people. We "prioritize" Shabbat candles over Chanukah candles to highlight this key to Jewish survival and continuity.
This is, of course, an important message for the two families CBAJ families celebrating s'machot this week: the Goldberg's, celebrating the upcoming wedding of Shore and Shajar; and the Chester's celebrating the birth of a new son. As they both mark important milestones in building their families, we bless them with the understanding that it is families like theirs that the bedrock of the Jewish people and its future.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov, and Chag Chanukah Same'ach,
Rabbi Ben Kean