Thousands of Belzer chasidim around the world will be heeding the special request from the Belzer Rebbe Shlita to add an additional candle each Shabbos and Yom Tov, with the intention that Yidden who have become distant from Yiddishkeit should merit returning and drawing closer to their Father in Heaven.

The request was conveyed following a special meeting held Wednesday in the presence of the Rebbe together with several of the rabbanim and dayanim of the Belzer kehillah. 

The gathering focused on additional initiatives that could be undertaken to reach and inspire Jewish souls to become closer to Yiddishkeit.

The Belzer Rebbe has long placed a strong emphasis on kiruv, with numerous initiatives and organizations established over the years aimed at bringing fellow Yidden closer to Torah and Yiddishkeit.

During Wednesday's gathering, noted maggid Harav Menashe Yisroel Reisman shlita addressed those present, as did Harav Pinchas Friedman shlita, Rosh Hakollelim of Belz.

Harav Friedman conveyed the Rebbe's personal request that each Erev Shabbos, an additional candle be lit for those Jewish souls who have drifted away from Yiddishkeit, with the hope and tefillah that they return and reconnect, reflecting the words, "Ner mitzvah v'Torah ohr."

The Rebbe added that there is in general a special significance to adding a candle, and encouraged those for whom doing so is practical and not difficult to undertake the practice.

The notice issued with the initiative also includes the wording to be said when undertaking the practice for the first time:

“הריני מוסיף בזאת נר אחד בלי נדר, ורק באופן שאוכל לקיים בנקל קבלה זו.”

When lighting the additional candle each week, the following tefillah is to be said:

“הריני מדליקה נר זה לכבוד שבת קודש לזכות אחינו בני ישראל התועים מדרך התורה, שיזכו לשוב בתשובה שלמה במהרה.”

The Rebbe further emphasized that doing for others ultimately brings bracha to one’s own home as well, explaining that when one acts on behalf of another Yid, he is also doing for himself. In the zechus of adding the candle and davening for other Jewish neshamos, families should merit to see Yiddishe nachas from their own children.

photos: Anshel Beck