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.
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.
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.
Shabbat Candlesticks
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