Esther Litvin, Junior Shlucha to Louisville, KY, became the 6th generation to use the same candlestick to usher in the Shabbos!
Late Friday afternoon, Chol HaMoed Sukkos, a most meaningful Birthday celebration was held in the Sukkah of Rabbi Shmully and Duby Litvin, among the Shluchim to Louisville, Kentucky. Community members came together for the 3rd birthday of Esther Litvin and to witness her light her candlestick for the first time.
The remarkable story behind the candlestick she lit amazed the participants. Mrs. Duby Litvin explained to the guests, “My mother always lit my Bubby’s candlestick, but I never knew its true history!”
The story of the simple yet elegant brass candlestick began in Mondok, Hungary, a small town that once boasted multiple shuls and mikvaos. Gittel Kohn was given a set of brass candle sticks for her wedding in the mid 1800s, and her daughters, Rosie and Elke, brought them to America in the early 1900s. Elke continued lighting them each week, and she gave the set to her daughter Ruth (Rivka) Tannenbaum, Duby’s Bubby. She passed the candlesticks to her three daughters, and Duby’s aunts continue to light them today.
Duby’s mother, Esther, lit her candlestick each week with her Leichter, and told her young daughter that she too would receive the candlestick when she was married. Sadly, Esther was unwell, and passed away young. Duby continued to light the candle every week, carrying on the family legacy.
After doing the research, the Litvin’s were amazed to find out that not only was Esther Litvin lighting her namesake’s candlestick, but in fact, she is the 6th generation to light this candlestick, which has been ushering in the Shabbos for well over 200 years!
Mrs. Litvin concluded: “It brings tears to my eyes to see the beautiful connection my little Esther will always have with my mother, of blessed memory. Esther will continue this amazing tradition and literally carry her ancestors’ torch, adding even more light to this amazing chain.”
Neshek was distributed to the crowd, and Rabbi Litvin encouraged the crowd to use the special year of Hakhel to take an extra candle set and share the light with another family. Junior Shliach Gavi Litvin ensured that everyone assembled gave tzedakah and had a chance to perform the mitzvah of Lulav!
May the light of this candle usher in the light of Moshiach now!
This what its all about: our connection to Hashem, our connection to Hashem through our ancestors, our connection to Hashem through the Rebbeim that guide us in the right way!
Beautiful! A sach nachas!
Ty for sharing this v special time with the rest of us. So beautiful. Wishing you much Chassidisha nachas