We were recently in Costco deciding whether to buy a five gallon tub of mayonnaise when we spotted something rather unusual. It was a very large, gargantuan even, box of Shabbos candles. On it was the lettering in very large print, Enough Candles to Last Until the Messiah Comes. For those readers of the Christian persuasion, I suspect you could interpret it as Enough Candles to Last Until the Messiah Returns. We here at the Bozosphere do not want to get into theological disputes and have no dog in this fight.
This left us wondering. Will Jews still light Shabbos candles after the Messiah comes? If so, will Costco change the label on the box of Shabbos candles? And what will it say? We’re told traditional Judaism holds that the Messiah will lead the Jews back to the Promised Land. While there are no Costcos in Israel now, there are similar stores that will have to confront this problem.
This whole deal with the coming of the Messiah is very personal to us at the Bozosphere. We’re very fond of Costco’s very tasty and inexpensive white fish salad and pickled herring, both of which come in large containers, are Kosher and one would believe appeal mostly to their Jewish customers. Will Costco cease selling them? We don’t know about you, dear readers, but the coming of the Messiah is supposed to be a joyous event. A world where you have to pay the usual retail prices for these delicacies is not our idea of heaven on earth.
Notes From the Bozosphere 