The times were hard, and food was scarce. Each day, a poor widow worked so hard in the hopes of buying food for her children. Each day, she would set aside a small portion of food to be used for Shabbos. One week, sadly, she was only able to save a few potatoes, some eggs, a piece or two of bread, an onion, and some oil.  

The winter winds blew, and the snow fell, and sickness knocked at the door. The children of the widow became sick, and every day, their bodies weakened. Her oldest son got up from his sick bed and asked his mother, “Last week, you made such a wonderful kugel for Shabbos. Could you please make it again for this coming Shabbos?…. Please?”  

What the child did not understand was that the ingredients for the kugel had been gathered together by his mother throughout the week. His mother would many times give up her daily portion of food to set aside a bit just to honor the Sabbath day. The widow questioned herself, could she make the sacrifice again? How could she not, when her efforts would bring such joy to her children as well as to the Shabbos Queen.

 

She carefully grated the potatoes and mixed them with breadcrumbs that she saved throughout the week. She added eggs, salt, pepper, and a small onion and was ready to pour the kugel into the pan to bake in the oven, and a thought entered her mind.  

She had some oil saved, and that little bit of oil would greatly improve the quality and taste of the kugel. How delighted her six children would be! It would bring nourishment to their weakened bodies and delight to their hearts.  

But how could she? She had been saving the precious oil to kindle the holy Shabbos lights. She knew the importance of Jewish law and tradition placed in the lighting of the Shabbos candles. She also knew that the moments after kindling the holy Sabbath lights were the most opportune for a mother to pray on behalf of her children. What better way to help her children than by praying for them as she kindled the Shabbos licht (lights)?  

Inside her beat, the heart of a loving mother, and her instincts would not permit her to place the kugel in the oven without the oil. She was torn as to what to do. After some time, she had an idea.  

The oil was added to the kugel…. As the sun began to set that Friday night, the widow stood before her Shabbos lights – fixed without oil. She closed her eyes, and gently welcomed the holy Shabbos (Sabbath Day) into her home:

Ribbono shel olam, Master of the universe, please accept these candles without light. In your infinite mercy, illuminate them with your heavenly radiance. Forgive me for having taken the oil from the wicks in order to light the joy of Shabbos in the hearts of my six children. If I have sinned and you cannot accept this prayer, I beg of You who is compassionate and slow to anger, to listen to the Shabbos songs of the children that will resound in my poor house, when I bring this kugel to the table.

That night the children ate their kugel, which tasted of paradise. They burst into song, saying it’s “Shabbos Kodesh (the Holy Sabbath),” and Shabbos Queen responded in kind, “let us sing a song to the love and sacrifice of the Jewish mother.”

A Gut’n Shabbos mit brochah und simcha (A Good Shabbos with Blessings and Happiness)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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