Responsa -- Answers to Pertinent Questions:

Shabbat Beckoning

Q: : What is the symbolism of beckoning the Shabbat with both hands at candle lighting?


A: "Ner Hashem nishmat adam," 'The soul is the candle of G-d.' The candle is also referred to as symbolizing the mitzvot. When using both the right and left arms to beckon the Shabbat Queen, one symbolically encompasses both the positive and negative commandments, respectively.

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