Brooke Martin
Shabbat is ushered in every Friday night with the lighting of Sabbath candles, referred to in Yiddish as licht bentschen (light-blessing) or licht tsinden (light-kindling). The candles are traditionally lit by a woman, but every Jew is obligated to either light or ensure that candles are lit on their behalf. The ideal time to light the candles is 18 minutes before sunset, although some sources state 18 to 20 minutes, and others say that the earliest one may light Shabbat candles is 75 minutes before sundown. The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law, and it is forbidden to light them after sunset.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of lighting | 18 minutes before sunset |
| Earliest time | 75 minutes before sunset |
| Latest time | Just before sunset |
| Location | Varies, but traditionally where Shabbat dinner is served |
| Number of candles | 2, or 1 if unmarried |
| Charity | Optional before lighting |
| Blessing | Recited after lighting |
| Hand movement | Hands are waved around the flame three times |
| Eye covering | Yes, while reciting the blessing |
| Duration | Until at least the blessing over bread, or 2-3 hours |
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What You'll Learn
- The ideal time to light Shabbat candles is 18 minutes before sunset
- Shabbat candles must be lit before sunset
- The number of candles lit differs for unmarried and married women
- The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law
- Shabbat candles must burn until at least after the blessing over bread
The ideal time to light Shabbat candles is 18 minutes before sunset
The purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to dignify the Sabbath. Before the advent of electric lighting, it was necessary to light lamps to create an appropriate environment for the Sabbath meal. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a mitzvah, a commandment, but does not record a blessing attached to them. The first recorded instance of a blessing said for lighting the Shabbat candles is found in the Siddur of Rav Amram (9th century).
The timing of candle-lighting varies from location to location and throughout the year. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light the candles 40 minutes before sunset, perhaps due to the mountains obstructing the horizon and making it difficult to determine the exact time of sunset. In Haifa, the custom is to light the candles 30 minutes before sunset. The earliest one may light Shabbat candles is considered to be 75 minutes before sunset, and the latest is just before sunset.
After sunset, whether the candles have been lit or not, Shabbat has officially begun, and it is forbidden to kindle a flame. The Shabbat candles are meant to burn for at least two to three hours, until the blessing over bread (Hamotzi) is recited.
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Shabbat candles must be lit before sunset
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evenings to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting of these candles is a rabbinically mandated law. 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. The earliest one may light Shabbat candles is 75 minutes before sundown. However, the ideal time is considered to be 18 minutes before sunset. This is to allow for a grace period in case the ideal lighting time is missed.
The practice of lighting Shabbat candles is believed to have originated as an extension of the practice of lighting a flame before Shabbat. This is because, once Shabbat has started at sunset, lighting a flame is forbidden. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, but does not record a blessing attached to them. The first recorded instance of a blessing said for lighting the Shabbat candles is found in the Siddur of Rav Amram (9th century).
The number of candles lit varies. Single girls and women light one candle. After marriage, women light two, and some have the custom of lighting one candle for each member of the immediate family. The candles are lit on or near the table where the Shabbat dinner will be served, to add to the light and joy of Shabbat. The candles must be lit before the blessing is recited. After the candles are lit, many people wave their hands around the flame three times and then bring their hands over their eyes, keeping their eyes covered while they recite the blessing.
Shabbat ends at sunset on Saturday evening, just as it begins at sunset on Friday.
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The number of candles lit differs for unmarried and married women
The practice of lighting Shabbat candles is an important ritual in Judaism. It involves lighting candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday to welcome the beginning of Shabbat. The Talmud records that this practice is a commandment, and it is forbidden to use the candles for any practical purpose.
Regarding the number of candles lit, there is a distinction made between unmarried and married women. Traditionally, unmarried women or girls light one candle each week, while married women light two. This custom is said to have originated from the Torah, specifically from the story of Rivkah lighting candles before her marriage to Yitzchak. However, there are variations in practice, and some unmarried women light two candles as well.
In some communities, like Chabad, there is a misconception that unmarried girls should not light Shabbat candles. However, this is not a widespread practice, and in pre-war Europe, it was common for young girls to light Shabbat candles alongside their mothers. Additionally, the Lubavitcher Rebbe strongly advocated for single women to participate in this ritual.
It is worth noting that the actual requirement for both married and unmarried women is to light at least one candle. Some sources suggest that adults light a minimum of two candles and an additional one for each family member. This practice is based on the verses "Zachor" (Remember) and "Shamor" (Preserve).
The timing of candle lighting is crucial, as it is forbidden to light candles after sunset, as it would be considered a dishonour to the sanctity of Shabbat. The earliest one may light the candles is 75 minutes before sundown, and this timing varies depending on location and time of year.
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The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law
The purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is to dignify the Sabbath. Before electric lighting, it was necessary to light lamps to create an appropriate environment for eating dinner. The practice of lighting a flame before Shabbat is an extension of this, as flames may not be kindled on the Sabbath. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, or mitzvah, but does not record a blessing attached to them. The first recorded instance of a blessing said for lighting the Shabbat candles is found in the Siddur of Rav Amram (9th century).
The blessing is recited after the candles are lit, which is unusual in Jewish tradition, where blessings are usually said before the act. However, because saying the blessing over the candles brings in Shabbat, the order is reversed. After lighting the candles, people often wave their hands around the flame three times, then bring their hands over their eyes and recite the blessing.
The number of candles lit varies. Single girls and women light one candle, while married women light two. Some people light one new candle per child born, while others light one candle for all their children. The candles are lit on or near the table where Shabbat dinner will be served.
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Shabbat candles must burn until at least after the blessing over bread
Shabbat is ushered in every Friday night with the lighting of Sabbath candles, referred to in Yiddish as licht bentschen. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a mitzvah, a commandment, but does not record a blessing attached to them. The first recorded instance of a blessing said for lighting the Shabbat candles is found in the Siddur of Rav Amram (9th century).
The time of candle-lighting is considered particularly auspicious for private prayer. Women have traditionally prayed for health, happiness, and children who will illuminate the world with Torah. Girls, too, offer their own prayers at this special moment.
Normally, in Jewish tradition, blessings are said before the act. We say Kiddush before drinking wine and Hamotzi before eating bread. However, because saying the blessing over the candles brings in Shabbat, and candles may not be lit on Shabbat, the order is reversed: candles are lit first, and the blessing is recited afterward.
Shabbat candles must burn at least until you recite Hamotzi, the blessing over bread, and some sources say that they should burn for two to three hours. For this reason, birthday candles and Hanukkah candles, which burn down quickly, are not recommended. There are specially-made Shabbat candles that will fit in a regular-sized taper holder but are shorter than taper candles (and therefore will not burn all night).
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Frequently asked questions
The candles are traditionally lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. However, the time varies from place to place and can be up to 40 minutes before sunset in some locations.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law. The candles are lit to dignify the Sabbath and bring in Shabbat.
The custom is for the woman of the household to light the candles. However, if there is no woman in the household, the man of the house will light the candles. Girls can start lighting their own Shabbat candle when they are three years old.
Most Jews light at least two candles. Unmarried women and single girls light one candle, while married women light two. Some people also light one new candle per child born.
