Ben Carter
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evenings to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. 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 candles are usually lit 18 minutes before Shabbat begins and are allowed to burn out and not extinguished. There are specially-made Shabbat candles that fit in a regular-sized taper holder, but shorter than taper candles. Many people choose neronim, candles in glass cups, to perform hiddur mitzvah, beautifying the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | A minimum of two candles are lit in each household. Some households light more, often one for each member of the household. |
| Who lights the candles | Traditionally, the woman of the household lights the candles. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles. |
| Time of lighting | Candles are lit before sunset on Friday evening. The exact time varies from place to place, but it is generally 18 or 20 minutes before sunset. |
| Duration of burning | Shabbat candles should burn long enough. Ideally, they should burn until the end of the Friday night Shabbat meal or at least until it is fully dark outside. |
| Type of candles | Specially-made Shabbat candles are available, which are shorter than taper candles. Some people use tea lights or neronim (candles in glass cups). In Sephardic communities, women may light velas that are short and round like tealight candles. |
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What You'll Learn
Shabbat candles are traditionally lit by women
The basic custom is that the woman of the house lights two candles, though many households have a tradition of lighting more, often one for each member of the household. The candles are traditionally made of wax, and can be specially-made Shabbat candles, birthday candles, tea lights, or any candle emitting a clean and steady flame. The candles should burn for at least 18 minutes, and ideally until the end of the Friday night Shabbat meal.
In many contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles, and it is often done by the family all together. However, in households with no adult woman, a man would traditionally take on the responsibility. The obligation falls on the household, so a male member of the household with a separate room does not need to light a separate candle.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is steeped in history and tradition, and is a beloved practice for Jewish women. The Talmud states that a woman who regularly kindles Shabbat lights is rewarded with children who are Torah scholars. The practice is also mentioned in the Torah, which tells us to remember (zachor) and safeguard (shamor) Shabbat.
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The candles are lit on Friday evening
The basic custom is to light two candles, though many households light one for each member of the household. The pair of Shabbat candles is one of the most iconic images of the holiday. The number two may indicate that the candles are special and hold a purpose that one candle alone cannot. It may also represent the two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat found in the Torah. The candles should be allowed to burn out and should not be extinguished. They must burn for at least the duration of the Friday night Shabbat meal.
The lighting of the candles is a ritual that brings peace and sanctity to Shabbat. They are a metaphor for the Torah and the human soul. The Shabbat candles represent the light introduced into the world through studying the Torah and observing its precepts. They also represent the additional soul that the sages say we are given on Shabbat. The candles ensure that we do not spend the evening stumbling around in the dark, and they create a bright and cheery ambiance.
The act of lighting the candles is known as licht bentschen ("light-blessing") or licht tsinden ("light-kindling") in Yiddish. The candles are traditionally placed in candlesticks made of brass or silver, though any fire-safe material such as glass or ceramic can be used. Many people choose neronim, candles in glass cups, as they are beautiful and a way to perform hiddur mitzvah, beautifying the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles.
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They are made of wax, like tea lights or tapers
Shabbat candles are traditionally made of wax, similar to tea lights or tapers. They are designed to burn for an extended period, ensuring they last through the Friday night Shabbat meal and beyond. The ideal burn time for Shabbat candles is approximately four to six hours, though only one to two hours is required. This extended burn time is to ensure the candles remain lit throughout the Shabbat evening and to prevent the need for lighting additional candles, which is forbidden on Shabbat.
While tea lights are commonly used in a pinch, they may not burn for the required duration. Birthday candles, for example, are not recommended as they burn down quickly. On the other hand, tapers, which are elegant, tall candles, can burn for up to nine hours, making them a suitable option for Shabbat.
Shabbat candles are also available in glass cups, known as "neronim." These candles are aesthetically pleasing and are used to perform hiddur mitzvah, enhancing the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles.
In Sephardic communities, short and round candles, similar to tea lights, are often used. These velas, as they are called, are lit by women to honour Shabbat and Yom Tov.
The type of wax candle chosen for Shabbat is a personal preference, as long as it burns steadily and for an adequate duration. The key is to ensure the candle is suitable for its intended purpose, providing light and ambiance for the Shabbat celebration.
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Two candles are lit, but more can be added
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, or mitzvah. The commandment of lighting Shabbat candles first appears in rabbinic literature, with the practice believed to have originated as an extension of the act of lighting a flame before Shabbat. This is because, according to the Torah, one may not kindle a fire on Shabbat.
The basic custom is that the woman of the house lights two candles. However, it is important to note that in contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles. The minimum mitzvah, as instituted by the sages, is to kindle one light. Nevertheless, the universally accepted custom is to kindle two lights, thus hinting at both dimensions of shamor and zachor. These two instances of the commandment of keeping Shabbat are found in the Torah: "Remember (zachor) the Sabbath" in Exodus 20:8 and "Keep (shamor) the Sabbath" in Deuteronomy 5:12.
The number two is also said to underline the two major themes of Shabbat: creation and revelation. However, it is not uncommon for households to light more than two candles. Many households have a tradition of lighting more candles, often one for each member of the household. In addition, a woman who neglected to light the candles one week adds an additional candle from then on. Similarly, in 1974, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson encouraged all Jewish girls from around the age of three to light their own Shabbat candles with their parents' consent. Girls light one candle until they are married.
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They are lit before sunset to welcome the Sabbath
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evening to welcome the Jewish Sabbath. 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 basic custom is to light two candles, with many households adding an extra candle for each child. In contemporary egalitarian families, however, the candle-lighting ritual may be performed by any adult in the house, and it is often done by the family all together.
The timing of candle lighting is important. Shabbat candles must be lit before sunset, and before the official starting time of Shabbat, which varies from place to place. In some places, the customary time is earlier: for example, 30 minutes before sunset in Haifa and 40 minutes in Jerusalem. This may be because the mountains in these cities once made it difficult to know if sunset had arrived. The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, or mitzvah, and it is one of the seven rabbinic commandments. The commandment is to light at least one candle, but the universally accepted custom is to light two.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a beloved tradition in Judaism, imbuing a sense of Judaism's wholesome values. The candles are said to represent the light introduced into the world through studying the Torah and observing its precepts. They also represent the additional soul that sages say is given on Shabbat. The candles are also a source of light after the sun goes down, ensuring that the evening is not spent stumbling around in the dark.
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 fire on the Sabbath. The candles are allowed to burn all the way down and should not be extinguished.
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Frequently asked questions
Shabbat candles are typically made of wax. They are similar to tea lights or birthday candles, though birthday candles are usually colourful.
Shabbat candles can be made of paraffin wax, beeswax, or soy wax.
Scented candles are not used for Shabbat, nor are candles that have been used for other purposes.
