It teaches us two significant chiddushim. Firstly, we learn that Adam and Chava ate from the Eitz HaDa’as in the tenth hour of the sixth day of creation—three hours before Shabbas. Secondly, because the day of Shabbas advocated on behalf of Adam and Chava, they were not punished immediately and remained alive. This explains fabulously the rationale for lighting candles specifically on Friday in honor of Shabbas Kodesh. In addition to rekindling the “lamp of the world”—the holy Shechinah that departed on the sixth day of creation prior to Shabbas—we wish to honor the Shabbas and express our gratitude for advocating on behalf of Adam and Chava.
It gives me immense pleasure to conclude this important topic with a teaching in the Gemara (B.M. 59a): "לעולם יהא אדם זהיר בכבוד אשתו, שאין ברכה מצויה בתוך ביתו של אדם אלא בשביל אשתו, שנאמר ולאברם היטיב בעבורה, והיינו דאמר להו רבא לבני מחוזא אוקירו לנשייכו כי היכי דתתעתרו". A man should always be careful about his wife’s honor, because berachah is found in a person’s house only on account of his wife, as it states (Bereishis 12, 16): “He treated Avram well on account of her.” Thus, Rava told the people of Mechoza: Honor your wives, so that you may become wealthy.
In keeping with this discussion, let us explain. Wherever the Shechinah is present, we are privileged to receive every form of berachah. As it is written (Shemos 20, 21): "בכל המקום אשר אזכיר את שמי אבוא אליך וברכתיך"—wherever I permit My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you. The Targum Onkelos renders this as: Wherever I rest My Shechinah, to there I will send My blessing to you, and I will bless you. Therefore, it is a wonderful segulah for righteous women to pray while they are lighting the candles for sons to be talmidei-chachamim and for abundant berachah and success in their homes in all matters. For, in the merit of rekindling the “candle of the world,” bringing the Shechinah back into our homes, we will be privileged to receive all material and spiritual Berachos!
