To truly understand how to light Shabbat candles, you'll need just a few simple things: at least two candles, a set of candlesticks, and the words of the blessing. This cherished ritual involves lighting the candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening, a beautiful and tangible way to welcome the peace and sanctity of Shabbat into your home, a practice that connects Jews worldwide to the spiritual heartland of Israel.
Welcoming the Light of Shabbat
Lighting Shabbat candles is one of the most foundational and visually powerful Jewish practices. It’s the act that officially separates the sacred time of Shabbat from the hustle of the ordinary week, creating an unmistakable atmosphere of peace and holiness. It's a mitzvah (commandment) traditionally performed by the woman of the household, though anyone can—and should—do it if she isn’t present.
This simple ritual is so much more than just lighting a flame; it’s a profound, weekly connection to our Jewish identity and heritage. It’s an act that unites Jews across the globe every Friday. During global events like The Shabbat Project, well over one million people participate, all kindling their flames together. It’s a powerful reminder of our shared tradition, as you can read more about on the OU Israel's website.
The whole custom is deeply rooted in the Torah's twin commands to 'remember' (zachor) and 'keep' (shamor) the Sabbath. Those two candles you see on Shabbat tables everywhere? They are a physical representation of these core principles, bringing literal and spiritual warmth and light into our homes just as the sun goes down over the hills of Jerusalem.
Shabbat Candle Lighting at a Glance
Before we get into the step-by-step, it helps to have a quick overview of the essential components. This little table breaks down the key parts of the candle-lighting ceremony.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Candle Count | You need a minimum of two candles, one for 'remember' (zachor) and one for 'keep' (shamor). It's a very common custom in Israel and beyond to add an extra candle for each child in the family. |
| Timing | The candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. This crucial timing ensures the flame is kindled before Shabbat officially begins, as lighting a fire is prohibited on Shabbat itself. |
| Who Lights | Traditionally, this mitzvah is fulfilled by the woman of the house. However, if she is not present or able, any Jewish adult can perform the ritual to ensure the light of Shabbat fills the home. |
| The Blessing | A specific prayer is recited immediately after lighting the candles (a unique order we'll explain later!) to sanctify the moment and formally welcome Shabbat. |
Think of these elements as the basic recipe. Once you have them down, the ritual becomes a familiar and comforting rhythm that kicks off the most special time of the week.
Preparing Your Candles and Candlesticks
The moments you spend setting up for Shabbat are just as meaningful as the lighting itself. It’s a quiet time of preparation that transforms your home from a regular space into a sanctuary, building an atmosphere of peace and anticipation. The first, and most personal, step is choosing your candlesticks.
For so many of us, this means bringing out precious heirlooms. Maybe you have a pair of brass candlesticks that traveled with your ancestors from the Old Country, their surfaces holding generations of stories. These objects are a powerful link to our history and resilience. Others prefer modern designs from Israeli artists in silver, glass, or ceramic that reflect their own style, connecting them to this ancient tradition in a way that feels completely their own.
Why We Light Two (or More) Candles
Have you ever wondered why the custom of lighting two Shabbat candles is so universal? From an Ashkenazi home in Tel Aviv to a Sephardi one in Buenos Aires, you’ll almost always see a pair of flames. This beautiful tradition connects back to two distinct commandments in the Torah: to 'remember' (zachor) and to 'guard' (shamor) the Sabbath day. Each candle represents one of these core ideas, a beautiful visual reminder of our dual responsibilities. You can find more great insights on this from various Judaica experts online.
While two is the standard, many families have a lovely custom of adding more. It’s quite common for a mother to light an extra candle for each of her children, filling the room with even more light and warmth. This practice turns the tabletop into a growing symbol of the family itself—it's not unusual to see households in Israel with four to six candles glowing as their families expand.
A Practical Checklist for Preparation
Once you have your candlesticks, a few simple, practical steps will ensure everything goes smoothly and safely. The idea is to get everything ready ahead of time so you can be fully present for the spiritual moment of lighting.
A steady flame needs a stable base. Before you put the candles in, give your candlesticks a gentle wiggle to make sure they're sturdy. If one seems a little wobbly, you can secure the candle inside the holder with a small piece of aluminum foil or by melting a little wax at the base.
For a cleaner, more consistent burn, I always recommend trimming the wicks to about a quarter-inch. A shorter wick keeps the flame from getting too large, which means less smoke and a candle that lasts longer through the evening.
Finally, place your prepared candlesticks on a heat-resistant surface. A special tray or even a piece of foil placed underneath will protect your table from any wax drips. This simple bit of prep allows you to welcome Shabbat with complete peace of mind.
Reciting The Shabbat Candle Blessing
This is the moment. As you bring the match to the wicks, a tangible sense of peace begins to fill the room, drawing a clear line between the hustle of the week and the sanctity of Shabbat.
Once the flames are steady, it’s time for the blessing. This is one of the few times in Jewish practice where we perform the action before saying the blessing. We do this to avoid kindling a fire after we’ve already verbally welcomed Shabbat.
The Beautiful Custom Of Covering Your Eyes
You’ll often see people light the candles and then immediately cover their eyes with their hands. This isn't just a tradition; it's a powerful way to create a personal, sacred space for the blessing.
Covering your eyes removes all distractions, allowing you to focus completely on the holy words. When you finish the blessing and lower your hands, the first thing you see is the beautiful glow of the Shabbat lights. It’s a profound moment—as if you're seeing them for the first time, now filled with the holiness of the prayer you just recited.
The Words Of The Blessing
Here is the blessing for the Shabbat candles. Don't worry if it takes time to learn; many people keep the text handy as they begin. If you're unsure about the pronunciation, our guide on how to pronounce Hebrew can be a big help.
The Shabbat Candle Blessing
Follow along with the original Hebrew, transliteration for pronunciation, and the English translation to understand the blessing's meaning.
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת. | Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat. | Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle. |
Reciting these words does more than just fulfill a ritual. It connects your personal action in your home to a divine commandment, linking you to a chain of tradition that spans thousands of years back to our ancestors in the Land of Israel.
The Significance of 18 Minutes
You will almost always hear that candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset. This timing isn't random; it’s a deeply thoughtful custom designed to ensure we honor Shabbat completely.
This tradition, which dates back to the 13th century, acts as a halachic (Jewish law) buffer to prevent anyone from accidentally lighting the candles after Shabbat has already begun. Today, websites like Hebcal provide incredibly accurate, algorithm-driven times for over 200 cities, updated as recently as 2023. You can easily find the precise candle-lighting times for your city.
Think of this 18-minute window as a sacred buffer, a spiritual "heads-up" that the peace of Shabbat is about to descend. It gives everyone that last chance to wrap up their weekday tasks and mentally shift into a state of rest.
What if you're traveling or staying with friends? You can absolutely still fulfill this mitzvah. The key is to light your candles in the place where you'll be eating your Friday night meal. This ensures the light and warmth of Shabbat grace your celebration, no matter where you are in the world.
While the core practice of lighting two candles 18 minutes before sunset is a powerful, unifying act across the Jewish world, the real beauty is in the details. The way this mitzvah comes to life is filled with diverse and meaningful customs.
These aren't contradictions; they're the unique fingerprints different communities and families have left on the tradition over centuries. The way a family in Jerusalem lights might look a little different from a family in Haifa, but both are tapping into the very same ancient spiritual wellspring.
These subtle differences often tell a story about a family's history and where they come from. For instance, in some Sephardi communities, the woman of the house recites the blessing before lighting the candles and doesn't cover her eyes. This is a noticeable contrast to the widespread Ashkenazi custom of lighting first, then covering the eyes for the blessing. Neither is "more correct" — they are simply two authentic paths leading to the same sacred moment.
Family and Community Variations
Beyond the major streams of Judaism, individual family customs create a rich and personal tapestry of observance. One of the most common and heartwarming traditions is lighting more than the standard two candles.
We've already talked about adding a candle for each child, but other customs have evolved, too:
- A Candle for the Household: Some families light an extra candle to represent their entire household as a single, unified entity.
- Seven Flames: Drawing from Kabbalistic traditions, some light seven candles, which can correspond to the seven days of the week or other mystical concepts.
- Lighting for Grandchildren: It’s a beautiful sight to see a grandmother lighting an extra candle for each of her grandchildren, filling the home with an abundance of light and love.
These personal touches transform the ritual from a simple act into a living, breathing tradition that grows right alongside the family. The candlesticks themselves often carry incredible stories, becoming precious heirlooms that have journeyed across continents, connecting generations through their shared, weekly glow.
The act of lighting candles on Friday night connects us to a long line of ancestors who performed the same ritual. When we use candlesticks passed down through generations, we are not just welcoming Shabbat; we are holding history in our hands.
Modern Adaptations for Unique Situations
The spirit of Shabbat is resilient. It finds a way to be present even when a traditional flame isn't an option. Think about places like hospital rooms, college dorms, or even soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in barracks where open flames are strictly forbidden.
In these situations, many people use electric or battery-operated candles. This simple, modern adaptation ensures that the mitzvah can still be observed safely, bringing the peace and light of Shabbat to every Jew, no matter their circumstances. This kind of flexibility shows that the tradition values a person's intention and participation above all else.
For those just beginning to explore Jewish life, discovering these beautiful and adaptable customs is often a key part of the journey. In fact, learning about how to convert to Judaism frequently involves uncovering the very traditions that make Jewish practice so rich and welcoming.
Candle Safety and Common Questions
Bringing the light of Shabbat into your home is meant to be an act of peace, not a source of worry. Getting your candles set up safely from the start means you can truly sink into the spiritual moment without any nagging "what ifs." A few simple precautions are all it takes.
Always, always place your candlesticks on a stable surface that can handle the heat. A dedicated tray—often made of silver, ceramic, or glass—is the perfect solution. It not only protects your furniture from heat marks but also catches any wax drips, which makes cleanup so much easier later.
Make sure your candles are positioned well away from anything flammable. Think curtains, books, or any decorations that could accidentally catch a flame. It’s also just good sense to place them where they won’t get knocked over by excited kids, curious pets, or a stray elbow during a lively Shabbat dinner conversation.
A common challenge, especially in older homes in cities like Jerusalem or Safed, is dealing with drafts. A sudden breeze from an open window can make a flame flicker wildly or even blow it out. Placing candles away from drafty spots ensures you get that steady, peaceful glow all evening long.
Troubleshooting Common Candle Issues
Even with the best preparation, you’ll sometimes run into little hiccups. Knowing how to handle them quickly keeps the focus on the sanctity of the moment and helps you master how to light Shabbat candles with real confidence.
Here are a few practical tips I’ve picked up for common problems:
- Wicks That Won't Stay Lit: If a wick just sputters out, it’s likely too short or a bit damp. Try trimming it just a tiny bit to expose a fresh, dry section before you try lighting it again.
- Stubborn Wax Drips: To get wax off your cherished candlesticks, please don't scrape them with a knife! You could cause permanent damage. Instead, pop them in the freezer for about an hour. The cold makes the wax shrink and harden, so it usually just pops right off.
- Candles That Don't Fit: Got a candle that's wobbly and loose? Melt a few drops of wax into the base of the holder before you stick the candle in—it acts like a natural glue. If a candle is too wide, carefully shave down the base with a small utility knife until it fits snugly.
Keeping Your Heirlooms in Good Condition
For many of us, our candlesticks are precious family heirlooms, passed down through generations. Taking proper care of them ensures these treasures can be part of your family’s Shabbat for many more years to come.
After you’ve cleaned off all the wax, take a moment to polish your silver or brass candlesticks according to the material. This simple act of care is more than just maintenance; it’s a beautiful way to honor the ancestors who lit these very same candles and to prepare them to shine for the next generation. These small, practical acts really deepen your connection to the ritual.
The History and Meaning of Shabbat Lights
That simple, quiet act of lighting Shabbat candles connects you to a powerful chain of Jewish history and resilience. This isn't just a weekly ritual; it's a beacon of hope and identity passed down through centuries, a symbol of continuity that stretches from ancient Israel to every corner of the world today.
The mitzvah (commandment) itself has deep, practical roots. In ancient times, homes were dark, and kindling a lamp was a necessity. The rabbis codified this practice to ensure Shabbat would be a day of delight (oneg Shabbat), preventing the gloom and arguments that could come from stumbling around in the dark. It transforms the home from a simple dwelling into a peaceful sanctuary.
A Symbol of Hope and Continuity
But the meaning of the candles goes far beyond just pushing back the darkness. For generations, they've symbolized the divine presence, hope, and the sheer endurance of the Jewish people. They represent the spiritual light that Shabbat brings into our lives, separating the sacred from the mundane. This tradition became a cornerstone of Jewish life, a tangible act that kept Jewish identity alive even in the most difficult of times.
For so many families, the candlesticks themselves become sacred heirlooms. Think about a pair of brass candlesticks, carried by a great-great-grandmother from Estonia to America. They're not just ritual objects; they're a physical link to your ancestors. Using heirlooms like these transforms the act of lighting into a profound conversation with your own family history.
The act of lighting Shabbat candles is a testament to Jewish resilience. It is a quiet declaration that, despite historical challenges, the light of our tradition has never been extinguished. This weekly ritual has been a constant source of strength and identity, a flame passed from one generation to the next.
From Ancient Practice to Modern Meaning
The real power of this tradition lies in its ability to connect the past with the present. When you light the candles, you’re not alone. You're taking part in a ritual performed by Jews for thousands of years, creating a shared experience that transcends both time and geography. It’s a practice that links a family in Jerusalem with another in Los Angeles, reinforcing a sense of a global Jewish community.
The light of the Shabbat candles also echoes other Jewish traditions of light, like the eternal flame in the Temple and the miracle of Hanukkah. You can see how light serves as a powerful symbol in our detailed article covering the story of Hanukkah. Ultimately, understanding this rich historical and spiritual context deepens the meaning of your own observance, turning a simple flame into a profound expression of your heritage.
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Common Questions About Lighting Shabbat Candles
Even with the clearest instructions, real life throws us curveballs. What happens when you're on the road for Shabbat? Or in a home where this is a brand-new tradition? Let's walk through some of the most common situations that pop up.
What if I’m Traveling for Shabbat?
When you’re away from home, the principle is simple: you light where you eat. The light of Shabbat is meant to grace your Friday night meal, connecting the ritual to the celebration.
If you find yourself in a hotel, your first step should always be to ask about their policy on open flames. Hotels in Israel are usually well-prepared for this, but in other parts of the world, it might be a firm no. Don't worry, you still have great options.
- Electric or Battery-Operated Candles: These are a fantastic, safe alternative. They are widely accepted for fulfilling the mitzvah and let you bring the light of Shabbat into your room without any fire risk.
- Travel Candlesticks: You can find beautiful, compact sets designed specifically for this purpose. They make it easy to pack a piece of home and observe the tradition wherever your travels take you.
The heart of the matter is having the light of Shabbat with you at your meal. Whether you're in a hotel room or a rented apartment, the location of the candles follows the celebration, tying you to this beautiful ritual even when you're thousands of miles from your own dining table.
Who Lights if a Woman Isn’t Present?
While it's a special honor traditionally given to the woman of the house, the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles is an obligation for every single Jewish home. It’s not an optional extra.
So, if a woman isn't present for whatever reason, a man is absolutely required to light the candles and say the blessing. The responsibility simply falls to any Jewish adult in the household to ensure this core ritual is observed, filling the home with the peace and light of Shabbat.
How Can I Observe This in a Non-Jewish Home?
Being a guest in a non-Jewish home doesn't mean you have to skip lighting candles. It just calls for a little bit of thoughtful communication.
Simply explain the beautiful tradition to your hosts ahead of time and ask if there’s a safe spot where you can light your candles. In my experience, most people are not only respectful but genuinely curious and appreciative of the ritual.
By preparing your hosts and sharing the meaning behind it, you're not just observing a mitzvah—you're sharing a piece of your heritage and building connections through mutual understanding. You can bring the warmth of Shabbat into any environment.
