Tyler Brooks
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting of these candles is a rabbinically mandated law, and the candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household. Shabbat candles are not regular candles, as they are imbued with spiritual meaning. They are lit to honour the Sabbath, to brighten the meal, and to ensure that the evening is not spent in darkness. The candles are also a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | A minimum of two, one for each of "remember" and "keep" the Sabbath. Some households light more, often one for each member. |
| Colour | Traditionally white |
| Type | Specially-made Shabbat candles, or regular tea lights. Candles in glass cups, known as "neronim", are also popular. |
| Burning time | Should not be extinguished and should be allowed to burn down. Should burn for at least two to three hours. |
| Lighting time | 18 or 20 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. |
| Who lights them | Traditionally the woman of the household, or a man if no woman is present. |
| Purpose | To dignify the Sabbath, to honour and enjoy Shabbat, and to brighten the meal. |
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What You'll Learn
Shabbat candles are traditionally lit by women
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting of the candles is a rabbinically mandated law and is considered a mitzvah, or commandment. The candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household, although every Jew is obligated to either light them or ensure that they are lit on their behalf. In households without an adult woman, a man takes on this responsibility.
The custom of lighting Shabbat candles is rooted in the Torah's commandment to "honour the Shabbat and call it a delight". The candles are meant to bring light and dignity to the Shabbat meal, creating a bright and cheerful ambiance. According to the Talmud, the lighting of Shabbat candles is associated with the commandment to "remember" and "keep" the Sabbath, found in Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12, respectively. The pair of Shabbat candles, each with a single wick, symbolises these two dimensions of the Shabbat commandment.
The woman of the household typically lights a minimum of two candles, with some households adding an additional candle for each member of the family. The candles are usually white and are placed in a safe location, away from flammable items. They are allowed to burn down completely and are not to be extinguished. The lighting of the candles is often accompanied by blessings and rituals, such as waving the hands around the flame and covering the eyes until the blessing is recited.
The act of lighting Shabbat candles holds a deeper significance beyond the practical need for light. It symbolises the transformation of darkness into light, representing the additional soul that sages believe we are given on Shabbat. The candles also serve as a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul, bringing illumination to a world that often seems dark and negative.
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They are lit on Friday evening before sunset
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset, marking the start of the Jewish Sabbath. This is a rabbinically mandated law, and the candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household. However, every Jew is obligated to either light or ensure that candles are lit on their behalf, and in households without an adult woman, a man will take on the responsibility.
The custom is to light Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset, though some communities light them even earlier. This timing is crucial because, according to the Torah, fire must not be kindled on the Sabbath. Therefore, the candles must be lit before the official start of Shabbat. The candles are lit first, and then a blessing is recited afterward.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a commandment or mitzvah. The Talmud records this, but it does not mention a blessing attached to the act of lighting the candles. The first recorded instance of a blessing for this ritual is found in the 9th century in the Siddur of Rav Amram.
The minimum number of candles lit is two, though some households light more, sometimes one for each member. The two candles are said to represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat found in the Torah: "Zachor (remember) the Sabbath" in Exodus 20:8, and "Shamor (keep) the Sabbath" in Deuteronomy 5:12.
The candles are typically placed in the dining area, as it is believed that a meal is incomplete without light. Shabbat candles are usually left to burn down completely, and they should not be used for any practical purpose, such as reading by their light.
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The minimum number of candles is two
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath. The minimum number of candles lit is two, with one candle representing "zachor" ("remember the Sabbath day" in Exodus 20:8) and the other representing "shamor" ("observe the Sabbath day" in Deuteronomy 5:12). This pair of candles is one of the most iconic images of the holiday.
The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, or mitzvah. The practice of lighting Shabbat candles is believed to have originated as an extension of the practice of lighting a flame before Shabbat, as the Torah prohibits kindling fires on the Sabbath. The Shabbat candles eventually became an important part of the ritual, with a blessing said over them.
There are several reasons given for lighting two candles. One interpretation holds that the number two indicates that the candles hold a special purpose that one candle alone cannot. Another interpretation suggests that the two candles represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat found in the Torah. Additionally, some believe that the number two corresponds to the two major themes of Shabbat: creation and revelation.
While the minimum number of candles is two, some households have traditions of lighting more candles, sometimes adding one candle for each member of the household or for each child. The candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household, but every Jew is obligated to either light or ensure that candles are lit on their behalf. If there is no woman present, a man takes on this responsibility.
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They are lit to honour and enjoy Shabbat
Shabbat candles are lit to honour and enjoy Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting of these candles is a rabbinically mandated law and a mitzvah, or commandment, that is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The candles are typically lit on Friday evenings before sunset, marking the beginning of Shabbat and symbolising the transformation from the darkness of exile to the light of deliverance.
The custom of lighting Shabbat candles involves kindling a minimum of two candles, each with a single wick, to represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat in the Torah: "Zachor" ("remember" in Hebrew) and "Shamor" ("keep"). This tradition is mentioned in the Talmud and is said to bring dignity and delight to the Shabbat celebration. The candles are meant to burn for at least a few hours, filling the home with light and peace.
The act of lighting Shabbat candles holds significant meaning for Jews. It is often done by the woman of the household, symbolising the role of Jewish women in perpetuating the Jewish nation. The lighting of the candles is also associated with the kindling of lights mentioned in the Book of Job, bringing harmony and peace into the home. The warm glow of the candles adds a festive ambiance to the Shabbat meal, ensuring that it is enjoyed in a well-lit space.
Shabbat candles are typically white and can be regular candles or specially made Shabbat candles. They are often placed in beautiful candlesticks or glass cups, enhancing the aesthetic power of the ritual. The lighting of these candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers, such as the blessing found in the Siddur of Rav Amram, and hand gestures, adding a spiritual dimension to the practice.
Overall, the lighting of Shabbat candles is a sacred tradition in Judaism, honouring Shabbat and bringing light, joy, and peace to Jewish homes and communities. It is a transformative act that continues to hold deep significance for Jews around the world.
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They are allowed to burn down by themselves
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath. The tradition is to light a minimum of two candles, one for "zachor" ("remember the Sabbath day", from Exodus 20:8) and one for "shamor" ("observe the Sabbath day", from Deuteronomy 5:12). The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, or mitzvah.
Shabbat candles are typically lit by the woman of the household, although every Jew is obligated to light them or ensure that they are lit on their behalf. If there is no woman present, a man may light the candles. Girls as young as three are encouraged to light their own Shabbat candles with their parents' consent.
The candles are traditionally lit in the dining room, where the festive meal will take place. Shabbat candles are allowed to burn down by themselves. They should not be extinguished. This is because it became forbidden to use the candles for any practical purpose, such as reading by their light. To avoid the temptation of using them, they are not moved after being lit. If they are still burning when it is time to sleep, they should be placed in a safe location away from flammable materials.
The candles must be lit before the official starting time of Shabbat, which is generally 18 or 20 minutes before sunset. This is to avoid kindling fire on Shabbat, as the Torah enjoins. The candles are lit first, and then a blessing is recited. Many people wave their hands around the flame three times and then bring their hands over their eyes before reciting the blessing.
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Frequently asked questions
Shabbat candles are candles lit on Friday evenings before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath.
The minimum number of candles to be lit is one, but the universally accepted custom is to light two. Many households have a tradition of lighting more candles, often one for each member of the household.
Traditionally, the woman of the household lights the candles. In households with no adult women, a man takes over the responsibility.
There are specially-made Shabbat candles that will fit in a regular-sized taper holder but are shorter than taper candles. However, a regular tea light will also work. Many people also use candles in glass cups, known as neronim.
