Shabbat Candles: The Start of Rachel’s Spiritual Journey
When Breina met Rachel at a birthday party of a community member, they immediately connected. Rachel was not religious, but she was at an important point in her life that she was looking for guidance and help to find her path.
When Rachel reached out to Breina a day later, Breina encouraged her to write a letter to the Rebbe for a blessing. Breina explained that before writing to the Rebbe it is appropriate to take on a good resolution, and Rachel chose Shabbat candles as hers.
As Rachel placed her letter into the Rebbe's book of holy letters, she opened it up randomly to a page which was speaking all about Shabbat and the importance of lighting Shabbat candles. "The Rebbe answered me! He knows exactly what I decided to do and he wants me to do even more!" she exclaimed.
Breina and Rachel continued talking throughout the night, and then Rachel excused herself and said that she had a flight early the next day with a group of friends to vacation in Florida. "Don't forget to take your candles along," Breina said.
Months later, Rachel finds herself once again at Breina's home, but this time her life is very different. "Breina, on that vacation, I decided that I won't just light Shabbat candles, but I will keep the entire Shabbat! It wasn't easy, but my soul was telling me that this is what the Rebbe wants and that this was the right thing to do. And, I've been keeping it ever since!"
Breina was amazed. While baby steps are usually the way to go, sometimes you just need to make that jump. And Rachel did. Rachel learned and grew over the past couple years and now she is a complete religious girl, who volunteers at Chabad and helps others with warmth and love, like she was received just a couple years ago.
Be like Rachel! Write your own letter to the Rebbe, either online at Igrot.com or contact us to help do it together in person. | 
