A WELCOME ADDRESS PRESENTED DURING THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE RABBI WAYNE FRANKLIN GUEST QUARTERS ABUJA

By: Abraham Ben Abraham
Presented By: Deborah Bat Habakkuk

The Rabbi of Temple Emmanuel – Rabbi Wayne Franklin

The Ima of Temple Emmanuel – Mrs. Anne Franklin

Our own very good friend – Professor William Miles

The Rosh of Synagogues here present

Members of our synagogue in Abuja, as well as representatives from other synagogues in other parts of Nigeria.

Other distinguished guests

And all the children in our midst.

You’re all Welcomed to Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja

Prof. Miles, Rabbi Wayne, Mrs. Franklin, Jator, Father Thomas

I’m so happy to welcome every one of you to this great occasion – of the inauguration of the Rabbi Wayne Franklin Guest Quarters Abuja. How amazing to see this historic moment in this life-time, which is a great reason I will never stop to give thanks to the Holy One of Israel (Blessed is He)- who has indeed made all this to come to pass.

The history of Judaism in Nigeria dates back to many years ago – and we here at Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja have continued to play our part in ensuring the sustenance of this faith.  Today Judaism has spread so quickly across the south eastern, south southern and south western regions around the country. We have Jews in Anambra state and Delta state, Enugu as well as in Ebonyi State, and also a good number of them in Rivers State, and in Lagos. There are also emerging Jewish communities in Akwaibom State and in other remote locations. But although we do not specifically know the exact population- one can tell from the brit milas and bar/bart mitzvahs witnessed across the country- as an indication that we are indeed growing in number.

Rabbi Wayne, Professor Miles and Abuja Youths

As we continue to witness this fast growth, there is the need to make sure everyone is on the right path. So instead of allowing emerging and existing Jewish congregation to function separately with little or no cooperation with other synagogues – the focus is to achieve unity to a great extent. Therefore, strengthening the Judaism Network is a paramount thing – a task all must join hands to achieve no matter how long this could take to happen.

Today, Kulanu is leading the mission of discovering remote, emerging and existing Jewish synagogues – with the primary objective aimed at fostering strength and unity. The members of Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja are grateful to the management of Kulanu for the massive support so far. And as we gather here today for the opening ceremony of the synagogue Guest House – the Nigerian Jews are absolutely grateful for the financial support of Rabbi Wayne Franklin as well as that of the loving members of Temple Emmanuel synagogue in Rhode Island, United States. This 5-unit guest house was started in 2013 by Sar Habakkuk but was temporarily abandoned due to lack of capital and the need to focus on more pressing needs that included the erection of the new synagogue building. But nevertheless, Hashem came to our rescue through Rabbi Wayne Franklin – by giving the synagogue a new colorful look in this 2018 as a result of the completed new guest house.

Deborah Bat Habakkuk & Professor William Miles

The Rabbi Wayne Franklin Guest Quarters is open to all Jews who are on a temporary or short visit to Abuja. We’re also calling on Jews residing abroad, who intend to visit Jewish Nigeria – to be less bothered about paying for hotel accommodation – as we are more than happy to have them as guests within the walls of the synagogue.

Let me use this opportunity to mention a few names that have played a significant role in the past towards strengthening Judaism in Nigeria. The likes of Rabbi Howard Gorin, Harriet Bograd, David Tobis, Professor William Miles, Daniel Limor, Jeffery Davidson, Rabbi Dolinger, Daniel Okolie, Lucy Stenitz, Judy Manelis, Remy Illona, Late Emma Shabbat, Late Sir Luke, Late Elder Ashar of Meir Elohim Synagogue, Ben Shane Tov, Amy Chukwuma, Dr. Israel Abido, Ephrahim Uba and others who I cannot mention in this speech due to time factor. We are forever grateful for the encouragement and massive support, which are no doubt immeasurable. May the Holy One of Israel (Blessed is He) reward you all exceedingly more than your efforts and contributions.

Rabbi Wayne, Mrs. Franklin, Baruch, Issac Ben Abraham

Finally, I wish to thank every one of you for coming to this event, especially the invited guests who have traveled far distances across land and ocean just to be here. And not forgetting our brother s and sisters who were not able to make it for one reason or the other. Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja is so pleased to welcome every one of you. And we pray for a successful return journey for all our brothers and sisters here.

Remain seated, eat, drink, dance, enjoy, and do have a memorable occasion! 

Tudah Rabba!

SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING

Guest Post By: Yehudit Bat Yonathan

Kindling the Shabbat candle has been a very important religious ceremony and is associated with the ushering in of Shabbat since ancient times. In those days, the Shabbat lights were interpreted as commemorating the ancient custom of weekly refilling and rekindling the Menorah in the temple. But since the absence of the temple, the new generation says that the importance of the candle lights lies in the symbol of the joyful delight that fills the Jewish home on the Shabbat. 18 minutes before sunset all manner of work stops and the ushering in of the Shabbat begins.

 WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS? 

• A table which will be covered using a white cloth.

• A candle stand.

• Two candles.

These are needed by the females in the home. The candles are lit after reciting the blessing "Barukh atah Adonai elohenu melekh ha olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzvanu l'hadik ner shel-shabbat".

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by thy commandments and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat lights. She does this by shielding her eyes with the palms of her hands.

 

WHAT DOES THE TWO SHABBAT CANDLES SIGNIFY? 

According to our sages, the Shabbat candles signifies peace and tranquility in the home. It is also said that the candles represents the husband and wife.

The Hebrew word " Ner" which means "candle" has the numerical value of 250, in other words two candles combined together will give the numerical value of 500.

According to the Talmud, there are 248 limbs and organs in a man's body while in a woman's body there are 252 which if combined together gives us a total of 500. Thus, the lighting of two candles represents the togetherness of the husband and wife which is the foundational reason behind the mitzvah ( law) of the Shabbat candles.

 

WHAT'S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SHABBAT AND FEMININITY?

 The mystical connection between Shabbat and femininity according to Kabbalah is the "lighting of the Shabbat candles".  It is said that she invites the Shabbat angels who are "the angels of peace" into her home for blessings of peace by offering prayers and lighting the Shabbat candles. With this, the moment she transcends into an awesome divine space of higher consciousness. She is now face to face with the creator.

In equal vein, the Shabbat is referred to as "The Beloved, the Queen and the Bride". It's a day in which the fundamental essence of creation takes a total different form.

WHY IS THE LADY OF THE HOUSE CHOSEN TO PERFORM THIS UNIQUE MITZVAH?

The Shabbat is referred to as the divine attribute of kingship. On a kabalistic level, it is the receptacle of divine sustenance which flows from the higher attribute of kingship into the physical world. She was chosen because of her inherent physical nature that receives first and forms the embryo. This possibility can be related to the divine attribute of kingship wherein the Shabbat is intrinsically female because of her ability in giving nature of the previous six days of the week. 

Due to the receiving nature of the Shabbat and the biological receiving nature of women "Conception", the Shabbat corresponds to the disposition of women in general.

WHAT FACTOR DOES THE ZOHAR REVEAL? 

According to the Zohar, the woman is chosen specifically to light the Shabbat candles because if her sin in the Garden of Eden. Where she unwillingly expelled much of the divine light from world ( Zohar 1:48b).  Because of this, the creator obliged her to light the Shabbat candles as a duty in order to restore what was lost. 

WHAT'S THE ESSENCE OF THAT ONE TRUE PRAYER BEFORE LIGHTING THE SHABBAT CANDLES? 

The blessing we recite " Barukh atah Adonai ( Blessed are you Adonai) Asher kid'shanu ( who has sanctified us with his commandments.....) It might interest us to know that the word "kid'shanu” comes from "kiddushin" which is related to marriage. In essence, this means that whenever we recite the blessing we bind ourselves to the creator just like the case of a wife and her husband. 

To draw the curtain, our first thought as humans is the pure spiritual element which follows our lighting of the Shabbat candles. This degree of our physical enjoyment during the rest of Shabbat goes hand in hand with our spiritual concentration there in bringing peace and tranquility in the home.

 

Shalom!
Yehudit Bat Yonathan
Rock Of Ages Synagogue, Asaba, Delta State, South-Eastern Nigeria