Chloe Adams
The Jewish Sabbath is ushered in with the lighting of candles on Friday evening before sunset. The number of candles lit varies, with some people lighting one candle, and others lighting two or more. The custom is to light at least two candles, with one candle symbolizing the commandment to remember the Sabbath day and the other symbolizing the commandment to observe the Sabbath day. These two commandments appear in the two iterations of the Ten Commandments in the Torah. Some people also light an additional candle for every child in the family, while others light one candle for each member of the household. The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law, and it is traditionally the woman of the household who lights the candles.
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What You'll Learn
The lighting of two candles
The custom of lighting two candles is rooted in the two verses of the Ten Commandments in the Torah. One candle represents "zachor" or "remember the Sabbath day" from Exodus 20:8, while the other signifies "shamor" or "observe the Sabbath day" from Deuteronomy 5:12. These two commandments form the foundation of Shabbat observance. Additionally, the number two reflects the two major themes of Shabbat: creation and revelation.
The lighting of the candles is traditionally done by the woman of the household. However, if no woman is present, the responsibility falls to the man of the house. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult or even the family together may light the candles. The act of lighting the candles is not just practical but spiritual, bringing a sense of sanctity to the home.
The candles are typically lit eighteen minutes before sunset, marking the official start of Shabbat. However, some communities, like Jerusalem, may have different customs, allowing for a larger window of up to forty minutes before sunset. The latest the candles can be lit is just before sunset, as lighting a flame after sunset on Friday is forbidden, signifying the beginning of Shabbat.
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The blessing
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a sacred tradition in Judaism, ushering in the peace and sanctity of the Jewish Sabbath. The candles are lit on Friday evening, ideally 18 minutes before sunset, as this marks the beginning of Shabbat. It is a rabbinically mandated law and a mitzvah, a commandment, that holds great significance for Jews across the world.
> "Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat."
In English, this means:
> "Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light Shabbat candles."
The ritual of lighting Shabbat candles is traditionally performed by the woman of the household. However, if no woman is present, the man of the household assumes this responsibility. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult or even the family together may light the candles. Single girls and women light one candle, while married women light two, with some customs involving lighting additional candles for each family member.
The lighting of Shabbat candles holds both practical and symbolic significance. Before electric lighting, lamps were lit to create an appropriate environment for Shabbat dinner. Today, the candles symbolise the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat, representing "remember the Sabbath day" and "observe the Sabbath day" from the Torah. They also signify the togetherness of husband and wife, with the numerical value of the Hebrew word for "candle" being 250, totalling 500 for two candles, which corresponds to the number of limbs and organs in a man and a woman's body combined.
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The ideal time to light the candles
The custom is to light at least two candles, though some sources state that one candle is sufficient to fulfil the mitzvah of Shabbat candle-lighting. The two candles correspond to the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat, as stated in the Torah: "Remember (zachor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy" (Exodus) and "Keep (shamor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy" (Deuteronomy). According to some, the two candles also represent husband and wife. In addition to the two basic candles, some people light an additional candle for each child in the family, or for each member of the household.
The latest time that the candles can be lit is just before sunset. After sunset, it is forbidden to light or handle a flame as Shabbat has officially begun. In some communities, such as Jerusalem, it is customary to light the candles earlier, and the earliest time Shabbat candles can be lit is 75 minutes before sunset.
The obligation of lighting Shabbat candles falls on every Jew, and it is usually the woman of the household who lights the candles. However, in households without an adult woman, a man takes on this responsibility. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles, and it is often done by the family together.
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The number of candles lit for each family member
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a rabbinically mandated law. The candles are lit on Friday evening, typically 18 minutes before sunset, to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The earliest they can be lit is 75 minutes before sunset, and the latest is just before sunset. After sunset, the Shabbat has begun, and it is forbidden to light or handle a flame.
The mitzvah of lighting candles is traditionally performed by the woman of the household, but every Jew is obligated to either light or ensure that candles are lit on their behalf. If no woman is present, the man of the household will light the candles. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles, and often the whole family will do it together.
The prevalent custom is to light at least two candles, but some sources state that one candle is sufficient to fulfill the mitzvah of Shabbat candle-lighting. The two candles correspond to the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat, as instructed in the Torah: "Remember (zachor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy" and "Keep (shamor) the day of Shabbat and make it holy." According to some, the two candles also represent husband and wife.
In addition to the two basic candles, some families have the custom of lighting one additional candle for each member of the immediate family or household. This includes lighting one candle for each child that is born. For example, a family with three children would light five candles in total.
The candles are lit on or near the table where the Shabbat dinner will be served, and they are not to be extinguished but rather allowed to burn all the way down.
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The history of the tradition
The tradition of lighting candles on the Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat, has a rich history and holds significant meaning for those who observe it. While the exact origins of this custom are debated, it is believed to have evolved from the practice of lighting a flame before Shabbat, as kindling a flame during the Sabbath was prohibited. This initial flame served a practical purpose, providing light after sunset, but over time, it evolved into the ritual of lighting Shabbat candles.
According to Jewish tradition, the purpose of lighting Shabbat candles is twofold: to dignify the Sabbath and to bring peace and sanctity into the home. The lighting of the candles is considered a mitzvah, or commandment, and is mandated by rabbinical law. The number of candles lit varies, with the prevalent custom being the lighting of at least two candles. These two candles correspond to the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat, representing the commandments to "remember the Sabbath" and "observe the Sabbath," found in the Torah in Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12, respectively.
In some traditions, additional candles are lit for each member of the household or immediate family. The lighting of the candles is typically done by the woman of the house, but if she is absent or unable to do so, the man of the house takes on this responsibility. The candles are lit on or near the table where the Shabbat dinner will be served, and they are not to be extinguished once lit. The blessing associated with the candle-lighting ritual is said either before or after lighting the candles, depending on the rite being followed.
The tradition of lighting Shabbat candles holds deep spiritual significance for Jews, representing the sanctity of the Sabbath and the togetherness of husband and wife. The ritual has evolved over time, with the introduction of blessings and specific customs, but its core purpose remains unchanged, providing a sense of peace and holiness to Jewish homes each Sabbath.
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Frequently asked questions
At least two candles are lit on the Jewish Sabbath. One candle symbolizes remembering the Sabbath, and the other symbolizes observing the Sabbath.
The two candles correspond to the two forms of the mitzvah of Shabbat. The candles also represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat given in the Torah.
The woman of the household traditionally lights the Shabbat candles. However, if there is no woman in the household, a man takes on this responsibility. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles.
The candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. The latest the candles can be lit is just before sunset. After sunset, Shabbat is considered to have begun, and lighting a flame is forbidden.
The lighting of the Shabbat candles is meant to bring peace and tranquility into the home. The candles are also meant to dignify the Sabbath and create a celebratory atmosphere.
