Yahrzeit Candleholders
Yahrzeit Candleholders for Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue, October 27, 2020; bronze, sterling silver, 2 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" each
David Rosenthal, z"l
Cecil Rosenthal z"l
Daniel Stein z"l
Irving Younger z"l
Jerry Rabinowitz z"l
Joyce Feinberg z"l
Bernice Simon z"l
Sylvan Simon z"l
Richard Gottfried z"l
Melvin Wax z"l
Rose Mallinger z"l
Yahrzeit Candleholders for Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue, October 27, 2020
On October 27, we remember the 11 victims of the Pittsburg Tree of Life Congregation whose lives were taken.
Joyce Feinberg
Richard Gottfried
Rose Mallinger
Jerry Rabinowitz
Daniel Stein
Melvin Wax
Irving Younger
Cecil Rosenthal
David Rosenthal
Bernice Simon
Sylvan Simon
I did not know them, but their murders shook my core. Anti-Semitism, hate and divisive rhetoric continue to grow in our country. When this massacre occurred in 2018, I was in the midst of preparing a cylinder demonstration for my advanced students. Two cylinders turned into 11 yahrzeit candles - donated to the Tree of Life Congregation who plan to give them to the families of those that lost their lives.
May their memories always be a blessing.
Yahrzeit Candelholder for Savta; copper, Savta's found objects, 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" x 2 1/4", 2020
Yahrzeit Candelholder for Savta; copper, Savta's found objects, 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" x 2 1/4", 2020
Yahrzeit Candelholder for Savta; copper, Savta's found objects, 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" x 2 1/4", 2020
Yahrzeit candles are lit annually on sundown on the anniversary of the death of a loved one to remember their life. The tradition is to allow the candle to extinguish on its own after burning for 24 hours. The word Yahrzeit is Yiddish and means "time of year.” This custom is not prescribed by Jewish law, but is a long standing tradition.
During shiva, the period of mourning following the death of a loved one, a Yahrzeit candle is burned each day for seven days.
Traditionally, there are four other Yizkor days that Yahrzeit candles are also lit: Yom Kippur, and the last day of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot.
“In Chapter 20, verse 27 of the Book of Proverbs, it provides: "The soul of man is the candle of God.” The Yahrzeit candle reminds people of the fragility of life and encourages them to embrace their life and that of their loved ones. A candle is often believed to be a symbol of the soul. This is one of the core reasons that candles are such an integral part of the Jewish religion.” (from shiva.com)