Ben Carter
Shabbat candles are lit every Friday night to mark the beginning of Shabbat. The candles are usually lit 18 minutes before sunset, although local customs may vary. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light the candles 40 minutes before sunset. It is customary to light white candles, although any candle can be used as long as it burns for two to three hours. The candles are usually lit by the woman of the household, although in contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles. The candles are lit on or near the table where the Shabbat dinner will be served, and they should not be moved until after Shabbat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White is customary, but any colour is acceptable |
| Shape | Any shape is acceptable |
| Scent | Scented candles are acceptable, but not preferred |
| Wick | Must have a clean, steady flame |
| Burning time | Should burn for at least 18 minutes, or until after nightfall; ideally, they should burn until after the Friday night meal has concluded |
| Number | Two candles are customary, one to "remember" Shabbat and one to "guard" Shabbat |
| Timing | Should be lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday, marking the beginning of Shabbat |
| Location | Should be lit in an area where they can be seen, but not in a draught or within reach of children |
| Movement | Should not be moved once lit |
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What You'll Learn
- It is customary to light white candles, but any candle can be used
- Shabbat candles must be lit before sunset on Friday
- The candles must burn for at least two to three hours
- It is customary to light two candles, one to 'remember' Shabbat and one to 'guard' Shabbat
- The candles are lit by the woman of the household or, in her absence, a man of the household
It is customary to light white candles, but any candle can be used
The lighting of candles is a special part of Jewish observance, and it is customary to light white candles on Shabbat. This custom is followed in some communities, particularly in Ashkenazi communities, where many women light long, thin wax candles. However, it is important to note that any candle can be used for Shabbat as long as it emits a clean and steady flame and burns long enough.
According to Jewish law, certain types of fuels and wicks are invalid for use on Shabbat because they produce an unstable flame. Therefore, any modern candle can be used as long as it burns cleanly and steadily. The candle should be large enough to burn for at least two to three hours, or until after the Friday night meal has concluded. It is also important to light the candles at least 18 minutes before sunset, as once sunset occurs, Shabbat has begun, and lighting a flame is forbidden.
While it is customary to light two candles, one to "remember" Shabbat and one to "guard" Shabbat, the most important aspect is the act of lighting the candles rather than the specific type of candle used. Shabbat candles can be made of wax or oil, and they can be coloured or white. They can be in the form of traditional candlesticks, tealights, or even neronim, which are candles in glass cups.
The key considerations when choosing candles for Shabbat are ensuring they burn cleanly and steadily, and for a sufficient duration. It is also important to place the candles in a safe location, away from flammable objects, and to avoid moving or extinguishing them once they are lit. By following these guidelines, individuals can appropriately select and use candles for Shabbat, regardless of their colour or specific type.
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Shabbat candles must be lit before sunset on Friday
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset, although some sources state that they can be lit up to 1.25 hours before sunset. The latest they can be lit is just before sunset; after sunset, Shabbat has begun and lighting a flame is forbidden. The candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household, although in liberal communities, any Jewish adult can light them.
The purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to dignify the Sabbath and bring peace, light, and warmth into the home. The candles are lit in the room where the Shabbat meal will be eaten, and they should burn until the end of the Friday night Shabbat meal. If this is not possible, they should at least burn until it is fully dark outside.
There are some customs and traditions associated with the lighting of Shabbat candles. For example, in some communities, the tradition is to light white candles if wax candles are used. In Ashkenazi communities, women often light long and thin wax candles, while in Sephardic communities, women typically light short and round velas. It is customary to light at least two candles, representing "Shamor" ("keep") and "Zakhor" ("remember"), the first words of the commandments concerning Shabbat. Some people light additional candles for each child in the family, and it is considered meritorious to light more than two candles.
The lighting of the candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers. In the Ashkenazic rite, the blessing is said after the candles are lit, while in the Sephardic rite, it is said before. To avoid benefiting from the light of the candles before uttering the blessing, the lighter can cover their eyes or wave their hands in the air.
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The candles must burn for at least two to three hours
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a sacred tradition in Judaism. It is a commandment, a mitzvah, and is usually performed by the woman of the household, though in contemporary times, any adult may light the candles. The candles are lit during the 18-minute window right before sundown on Friday, marking the beginning of Shabbat. In some places, like Jerusalem, the window is larger, and candles are lit 40 minutes before sunset.
The candles should be lit in an area where they can be seen but not disturbed by a breeze or children. The number of candles varies, with some communities lighting one candle, and others lighting two. The two candles represent 'Zakhor' (to remember) and 'Shamor' (to observe the tradition). The candles are usually white, though any candle can be used as long as it burns cleanly and steadily.
The lighting of the candles is accompanied by a blessing, and the arms are moved three times, hands drawn over the flames, and then the face is covered as the blessing is said. The blessing is:
> Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.
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It is customary to light two candles, one to 'remember' Shabbat and one to 'guard' Shabbat
Shabbat candles are lit every Friday evening and on the eve of Jewish holidays to bring peace, light, and warmth into people's homes. It is customary to light at least two candles, with one candle symbolizing the remembrance of Shabbat and the other symbolizing the observance of Shabbat. These two candles correspond to the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat, as mentioned in the Torah. In Exodus, it says, "Remember (Zachor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy," while in Deuteronomy, it says, "Keep (Shamor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy." By lighting two candles, individuals accept and honour both aspects of Shabbat observance.
The tradition of lighting two candles also has other interpretations. According to some, it represents husband and wife, and peace and tranquility are brought into the home through their unity. Additionally, the Talmud states that lighting Shabbat candles is rewarded with children who are Torah scholars, as a soul is compared to a candle. The act of lighting candles is not just symbolic but also holds spiritual significance, connecting individuals to the concept of light and holiness.
While the basic custom is to light two candles, some families light more, adding a candle for each family member. Single women or men living outside their parents' homes typically light one candle before marriage, fulfilling the basic mitzvah out of respect for their mothers, who hold the primary responsibility for lighting Shabbat candles in the home. The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged young girls to light their own Shabbat candles with their parents' consent, fostering a sense of participation and connection to the ritual.
The candles used for Shabbat can be made of wax or oil, and they should emit a clean, steady, and pure flame. While some communities prefer white candles, others use traditional candlesticks or velas that are short and round. The candles should be large enough to burn for at least three to four hours, lasting through the Shabbat meal and ideally until after nightfall. The lighting of Shabbat candles is a meaningful ritual that provides an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and the celebration of peace.
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The candles are lit by the woman of the household or, in her absence, a man of the household
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a sacred tradition in Judaism. It is customary to light the candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday, marking the beginning of Shabbat. However, local customs may vary, with some communities lighting the candles 40 minutes before sunset, and others allowing lighting up to 75 minutes before sundown.
The act of lighting the candles is typically performed by the woman of the household. This tradition has its roots in the belief that the mitzvah, or commandment, of lighting Shabbat candles is bestowed upon the women, who are considered the mainstays of the Jewish home. The lighting of the candles is often accompanied by prayers and blessings, where women and girls offer their wishes for health, happiness, and the ultimate redemption brought by the Messiah.
In the absence of a woman in the household, the responsibility of lighting the candles falls to a man. This is usually the husband or an older child. In contemporary egalitarian families, the lighting of Shabbat candles may be performed by any adult in the house, and it is sometimes done by the family together.
The candles used for Shabbat can be of any colour, shape, or type of wax, as long as they emit a clean, steady flame and burn for an adequate duration. While it is customary to use white candles, this is not mandatory. The candles should be lit in a safe and visible area, away from drafts and children, and should not be moved or extinguished once lit.
The lighting of Shabbat candles holds deep significance in Jewish tradition. It symbolises the ushering in of Shabbat and adds to the light and joy of the Shabbat dinner. The candles are lit before sunset because, in Jewish tradition, lighting a flame after sunset on Shabbat is forbidden. The act of lighting the candles and reciting the blessings is considered a sacred moment, marking the beginning of Shabbat and the fulfilment of a commandment.
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Frequently asked questions
It is customary to light white candles for Shabbat, but this is not a strict rule. Any candle can be used as long as it emits a clean and steady flame and burns for two to three hours.
It is customary to light Shabbat candles during the 18-minute window right before sundown on Friday, which marks the beginning of Shabbat. However, local customs may vary. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light 40 minutes before sunset.
The most common custom is to light two candles, one to "remember" Shabbat and one to "guard" Shabbat. However, the number of candles lit may vary depending on personal preference or community tradition.
