Shabbat Candlesticks
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The Shabbat candlesticks are an important element of the Shabbat table. Whether elegant, chic,
modern, or traditional, Shabbat candlesticks, often serve as a focal point of the table.
By lighting these traditional Shabbat candlesticks, Jews welcome the Sabbath into their homes.
Shabbat candlesticks add beauty and personalization to this sacred ritual.
Shabbat candlesticks are lit 18 minutes before sunset each Friday. This practice began for
practical reasons, but continues to be observed today:
Originally, the candles were lit 18 minutes before sundown to ensure that they would be burning by
the beginning of Shabbat, since kindling a fire is forbidden on the Jewish Sabbath. Since candles
can be lit in a matter of seconds with our modern conveniences, the 18 minutes is now used as a
peaceful, meditative transition from the weekdays to the sanctity of the Jewish Sabbath.
It is customary to light two Shabbat candlesticks. These two candles represent the dual
commandments to remember and to keep the Sabbath. The candles are lit by the woman of the
household. After lighting, she waves her hands over the Shabbat candlesticks, welcoming in the
Sabbath. Then she covers her eyes and recites the blessing: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu,
melekh ha'olam asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu l'had'lik neir shel Shabbat. (Blessed are you,
Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and
commanded us to light the lights of Shabbat.)
The hands are then removed from the eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah
of lighting the Shabbat candlesticks.
It is important to mention, however, that these Shabbat candlesticks are also lit at the beginning of
every other holy day, not just the Sabbath.
modern, or traditional, Shabbat candlesticks, often serve as a focal point of the table.
By lighting these traditional Shabbat candlesticks, Jews welcome the Sabbath into their homes.
Shabbat candlesticks add beauty and personalization to this sacred ritual.
Shabbat candlesticks are lit 18 minutes before sunset each Friday. This practice began for
practical reasons, but continues to be observed today:
Originally, the candles were lit 18 minutes before sundown to ensure that they would be burning by
the beginning of Shabbat, since kindling a fire is forbidden on the Jewish Sabbath. Since candles
can be lit in a matter of seconds with our modern conveniences, the 18 minutes is now used as a
peaceful, meditative transition from the weekdays to the sanctity of the Jewish Sabbath.
It is customary to light two Shabbat candlesticks. These two candles represent the dual
commandments to remember and to keep the Sabbath. The candles are lit by the woman of the
household. After lighting, she waves her hands over the Shabbat candlesticks, welcoming in the
Sabbath. Then she covers her eyes and recites the blessing: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu,
melekh ha'olam asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu l'had'lik neir shel Shabbat. (Blessed are you,
Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and
commanded us to light the lights of Shabbat.)
The hands are then removed from the eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah
of lighting the Shabbat candlesticks.
It is important to mention, however, that these Shabbat candlesticks are also lit at the beginning of
every other holy day, not just the Sabbath.
For some, lighting the Shabbat candlesticks is a reminder of their obligations to God, since the
berakhah speaks of the commandment to kindle lights for Shabbat. For others, it is a symbol of
the light of God's presence in our world. For still others, Shabbat candlesticks represent the
warmth of the Jewish family.
Actually, a search for the reason for lightning Shabbat candlesticks reveals an interesting
history behind it. In fact, there is no commandment in the Torah to light Shabbat candles. The
tradition of lighting Shabbat candlesticks derives from a much later period in Jewish history,
when there were Jewish communities scattered throughout the near east and Mediterranean
basin, all of whom turned for guidance to the great academies in Babylonia, which were the
center of Jewish learning in the world. Rabbinic permitted Jews to keep fires lit prior to
sundown Friday evening to stay light. The Karaites, who were a sect of Jews who denied the
validity of the talmudic-rabbinic tradition, ruled that not only could one not kindle lights on Friday
evening, but all fires burning must be extinguished prior to sundown. The rabbis, in order to
make their point clearly, and to solidify the authority of rabbinic law throughout the Jewish
community, instituted the recitation of a berakhah when lighting Shabbat candlesticks, thus
implying that it is a commandment with the force of Torah behind it.
Whether for the tradition, or for their divine promise of peace and separation from ordinary days,
Shabbat candlesticks are a timeless gift that families will cherish for generations.
berakhah speaks of the commandment to kindle lights for Shabbat. For others, it is a symbol of
the light of God's presence in our world. For still others, Shabbat candlesticks represent the
warmth of the Jewish family.
Actually, a search for the reason for lightning Shabbat candlesticks reveals an interesting
history behind it. In fact, there is no commandment in the Torah to light Shabbat candles. The
tradition of lighting Shabbat candlesticks derives from a much later period in Jewish history,
when there were Jewish communities scattered throughout the near east and Mediterranean
basin, all of whom turned for guidance to the great academies in Babylonia, which were the
center of Jewish learning in the world. Rabbinic permitted Jews to keep fires lit prior to
sundown Friday evening to stay light. The Karaites, who were a sect of Jews who denied the
validity of the talmudic-rabbinic tradition, ruled that not only could one not kindle lights on Friday
evening, but all fires burning must be extinguished prior to sundown. The rabbis, in order to
make their point clearly, and to solidify the authority of rabbinic law throughout the Jewish
community, instituted the recitation of a berakhah when lighting Shabbat candlesticks, thus
implying that it is a commandment with the force of Torah behind it.
Whether for the tradition, or for their divine promise of peace and separation from ordinary days,
Shabbat candlesticks are a timeless gift that families will cherish for generations.
Shabbat Candlesticks
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