The following poem, "Blessed is the Match" by Hannah Senesh, describes the human soul as analogous to a match that is desperate to spread its light to other flames. Although not necessarily written to describe the Shabbat candle lighting ceremony, Senesh’s words can be used to describe the spiritual process that is underlying the commandment. The lighter of the Shabbat candles, which is traditionally the woman of the house, is kindling the candles (physically) and bestowing peace, light, and harmony (spiritually) to all those present.
Hannah Senesh (1921-1944) was a Hungarian born assimilated Jew who joined the Haganah (a defense group that later became the Israel Defense Forces) in 1941, and served as a paratrooper for the British Special Operations Community. In 1944 Senesh parachuted into Yugoslavia in hopes of rescuing Hungarian Jews who were about to be deported to death camps. "Blessed is the Match" was the last poem Senesh wrote before she was arrested at the Hungarian border and executed.
Blessed is the Match
Blessed is the match that is consumed in kindling the flame.
Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.
Blessed is the heart strong enough to stop beating in dignity.
Blessed is the match that is consumed in kindling the flame.
אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר
אַשְׁרֵי הַלְּהָבָה שֶׁבָּעֲרָה בְּסִתְרֵי לְבָבוֹת
אַשְׁרֵי הַלְבָבוֹת שֶׁיָדְעוּ לַחְדוֹל בְּכָבוֹד
אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף וְהִצִּית לֶהָבוֹת