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| SILVER candlesticks that beam, | |
| Holding candles ranged in line, | |
| Stand on snowy tablecloth, | |
| Near the Sabbath bread and wine. | |
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| Lovingly my mother lights | 5 |
| Six white candles, one for each | |
| Dear and loving, living child, | |
| When the twilight hours reach | |
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| Bringing in the Sabbath bride; | |
| And in festive robes arrayed, | 10 |
| Spreads her palms before her eyes | |
| Moistened by the tears that strayed; | |
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| And, like beamings of Shekinah, | |
| Some ethereal beauty plays | |
| Round her lips as, nodding, she | 15 |
| In a plaintive murmur prays, | |
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| By the candle’s light and flame; | |
| And her face begins to shine, | |
| And her brow with grace is haloed | |
| And transfigured, calm, divine | 20 |
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| Looks she, chanting soft and low; | |
| “Lord of life and joy and light, | |
| Man whose flame of life is short | |
| Makes his light all clear and bright. | |
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| “May my children, plants of Zion, | 25 |
| Love Thee, doing Thy behest, | |
| Fed on manna of the Bible, | |
| Nourished by the Torah’s breast. | |
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| “Make us, scions of the prophets, | |
| Happy in a life lived whole; | 30 |
| Lived in honor, labor, love, | |
| Lived in holiness of soul. | |
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| “I, Thy handmaid, what am I? | |
| But to all you deign your grace; | |
| Make my children little lights, | 35 |
| Lighting well their little place. | |
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| “Make us, seed of Abraham, | |
| Love-flames burning far and free; | |
| Lights of love and lights of virtue, | |
| Shining, beaming, God, for Thee,” | 40 |
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