Maddie James
Shabbat candles are lit by Jewish women and girls (or men, when there are no women present) 18 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon or on the eve of Jewish holidays. The candles are usually lit in the dining room where the festive holiday meal will soon take place. The purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to dignify the Sabbath and bring peace and light into our homes. The candles must be lit before the official starting time of Shabbat, which varies from place to place, but is generally 18 or 20 minutes before sunset. The candles must burn for at least two to three hours, and it is customary to light a minimum of two candles, with some households lighting one candle for each member of the household.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting time | 18 minutes before sunset on Friday |
| 18 or 20 minutes before sunset, depending on location | |
| 30 minutes before sunset in Haifa | |
| 40 minutes before sunset in Jerusalem | |
| Who lights the candles | Women and girls (or men, when there are no women present) |
| Number of candles | Minimum of two |
| One for each member of the family | |
| Seven, one for each day of the week | |
| Ten, corresponding to the Ten Commandments | |
| Candle type | Oil |
| Wax | |
| Burn time | At least until the blessing over bread |
| 2-3 hours | |
| Until they burn out | |
| Colour | White |
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What You'll Learn
Shabbat candle materials and types
Shabbat candles are traditionally made from wax or oil, with olive oil being a popular choice. The candles are lit by Jewish women and girls, or by men when there are no women present, to bring peace and light into their homes. The candles are typically lit on Friday evening before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath, although some communities light them earlier.
The basic custom is to light a minimum of two candles, which represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat found in the Torah: "Zachor" (remember) and "Shamor" (keep). However, many households light more candles, often one for each member of the household. It is also customary for a woman who has missed a week of candle lighting to add an extra candle from then on.
The candles are usually white and are placed in candlesticks made of fire-safe materials such as brass, silver, glass, or ceramic. Specially-made Shabbat candles are available, which fit regular-sized taper holders but are shorter than standard taper candles. Tea lights are also commonly used, as are neronim, which are candles in glass cups.
The candles are meant to burn for at least two to three hours, until the blessing over bread (Hamotzi) is recited during the Shabbat meal. They should not be extinguished but allowed to burn all the way down. It is important to place them in a safe location away from flammable objects, especially if they will be left unattended.
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The significance of the number of candles
The number of Shabbat candles lit holds a lot of significance in Judaism. The lighting of candles is a rabbinically mandated law and is one of the seven rabbinic commandments. The candles are lit to honour and welcome Shabbat, which is considered a day of illumination and peace in a world that often seems dark and negative.
The basic custom is to light a minimum of two Shabbat candles, one for 'Zakhor' (to remember) and one for 'Shamor' (to observe the tradition). This custom is based on the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat in the Torah, one found in Exodus 20:8 and the other in Deuteronomy 5:12. The number two also underlies the two major themes of Shabbat: creation and revelation.
However, many households have their own traditions and light more than two candles. Some light one candle for each member of the family, or seven candles, one for each day of the week. There are also those who light ten candles, corresponding to the Ten Commandments. A recent custom is to light two candles for husband and wife and add a new candle for every child born.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is traditionally done by the woman of the house or the girl/s of the house if they are over the age of three. However, in households with no adult women, the responsibility falls on the men.
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The blessing of the candles
The blessing is as follows:
> Praised are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who, sanctifying us with divine commandments, has commanded us to kindle the Shabbat lamp.
> 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.
The candles are lit by Jewish women and girls, or by men when there are no women present, on Friday evenings before sunset, to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The standard custom is to light two candles, one for Zachor (remember) and one for Shamor (keep) the Sabbath. However, many households light one candle for each member of the household. The candles should burn for at least two to three hours, until the blessing over the bread is recited, and it is customary to light white candles.
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The lighting process
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law and a mitzvah, a commandment. The candles are lit to honour Shabbat and the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting is traditionally done 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, the lighting is done by a man. Girls, too, are encouraged to light their own Shabbat candle.
The candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon or on the eve of Jewish holidays. Some communities light the candles earlier, for example, 30 minutes before sunset in Haifa and 40 minutes in Jerusalem. The latest the candles can be lit is just before sunset; after sunset, Shabbat has begun, and handling or lighting a flame is forbidden. The candles are lit in the dining room where the festive holiday meal will soon take place. Ideally, the woman lights her candles in the place she will be eating dinner.
It is customary to light a minimum of two candles, one for "Zachor" (remember) and one for "Shamor" (keep). Many households have a tradition of lighting more candles, often one for each member of the household. The candles must burn for at least two to three hours, until the blessing over bread is recited. They should not be extinguished but allowed to burn all the way down.
After lighting the candles, it is customary to wave one's hands around the flame three times, then bring one's hands over one's eyes, keeping them covered while reciting the blessing.
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Shabbat candle manufacturers
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evenings before sunset to welcome the Jewish Sabbath. The tradition is to light a minimum of two candles, with some households lighting one for each member of the family. The candles are usually lit by women and girls, but when there are no women present, men take on this responsibility.
Shabbat candles are typically made of wax or oil, with the latter harkening back to ancient traditions. They are often white, but this is not a rule. The candles must be lit before the official start of Shabbat, which is generally 18 or 20 minutes before sunset, though this varies by location. For example, in Haifa, the custom is 30 minutes before sunset, and in Jerusalem, it is 40 minutes.
The candles must burn for at least two to three hours, until the blessing over bread, or Hamotzi, is recited. They should not be extinguished but allowed to burn all the way down. Shabbat candles are not to be used for any practical purpose, such as reading, and they should be placed in a safe location away from flammable items.
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Frequently asked questions
Shabbat candles are made of wax or oil.
There is no specific type of wax or oil that is used for Shabbat candles. However, olive oil is a popular choice.
It is customary to light white candles, but this is not a rule.
It is traditional to light a minimum of two candles, but many households light one candle for each member of the family.
Shabbat candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening.
