The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a profound mystical text elaborating on the Zohar, dives into this idea in a fascinating way. It’s talking about the Sabbath, Shabbat, and how even the smallest changes in our routine can elevate the day, transforming it from the mundane to the sacred.

Specifically, it addresses the seemingly simple act of lighting candles. During the week, maybe you have a favorite candle, a trusty source of light. But the Tikkunei Zohar 113 says that on Shabbat, you should change things up. Don't light that same candle. Why? Because it echoes the verse from Exodus 35:3: "Do not burn fire in all your dwellings, on the Sabbath day."

But there's so much more beneath the surface!

The text goes on to say there needs to be a change from "servant" to "Queen" on Shabbat. What does that even mean? It’s about recognizing the unique holiness of the day. The "Queen," or matronita in Aramaic, represents the Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence, the indwelling of God in the world. The Shekhinah is considered the "place" of the Holy One.

Think of it this way: during the week, we’re often in "servant" mode, focused on work, responsibilities, the daily grind. But Shabbat is different. It’s a day for the "Queen," for royalty. It's a time to connect with the divine presence, to elevate our souls. The day of Shabbat, the text tells us, is different from the days of the mundane, the ḥol – those days ruled by the “servant of the King”.

This concept of change and elevation reminds me of the story of Esther, as quoted in the text: "And he ‘changed her’ and her maidens – on the Sabbath day" (Esther 2:9). Just as Esther was transformed and elevated, so too are we, and so too is the very fabric of time itself, on Shabbat.

It’s a powerful image, isn’t it?

So, what's the takeaway? Maybe it’s not just about the specific candle. Maybe it’s about intentionally creating space for the sacred in our lives. It's about recognizing that even the smallest shift in our routine, the slightest change in our perspective, can transform the ordinary into something truly extraordinary. It’s about welcoming the Queen, the Shekhinah, into our homes and our hearts. How can you "change" your week into Shabbat?