Shabbat Candles: Meaning, History, and Tradition

Lighting Shabbat candles is one of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant traditions in Jewish life. As daylight fades on Friday evening, the simple act of striking a match and welcoming light marks the transition from the ordinary week into sacred time.

While the ritual itself is brief, its meaning is layered—combining law, symbolism, family, and spiritual intention in a way that has endured for thousands of years.

What Are Shabbat Candles?

Shabbat candles are lights kindled shortly before sunset on Friday evening to honor the beginning of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Their purpose is both practical and spiritual: to bring peace, visibility, and a sense of calm into the home as Shabbat begins.

Traditionally, at least two candles are lit, though some families add additional candles to reflect personal or family customs.

Why Are Shabbat Candles Lit?

The tradition of lighting Shabbat candles is rooted in the idea of shalom bayit—peace in the home. Before the advent of electric lighting, candles ensured that the home was illuminated, preventing discomfort or tension during the evening meal.

Over time, this practical need became infused with spiritual meaning. The light of the candles came to represent:

• The distinction between sacred time and ordinary time
• Peace, harmony, and tranquility in the home
• Spiritual awareness and mindfulness

The moment of lighting candles often becomes a pause—a breath taken before Shabbat fully begins.

Who Lights the Shabbat Candles?

In many households, Shabbat candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the home, reflecting her role in shaping the spiritual atmosphere of the household. In other families, men or children may light the candles, especially in homes where the tradition is shared or adapted.

Young children are often encouraged to participate by lighting their own candle under supervision, helping pass the tradition from one generation to the next.

When Are Shabbat Candles Lit?

Shabbat candles are lit before sunset on Friday evening. Once the candles are lit and the blessing is recited, Shabbat is considered to have begun for the person who lit them.

This timing reinforces the idea that Shabbat is actively welcomed, not simply waited for.

The Blessing and the Moment of Light

After lighting the candles, it is customary to cover the eyes and recite a blessing, then uncover them to see the light as Shabbat officially begins.

For many people, this quiet moment becomes deeply personal—a time for reflection, gratitude, or silent prayer. Even in busy households, candle lighting often creates a brief pocket of stillness.

How Many Candles Are Lit?

Two candles are most common, often understood to represent two biblical expressions of Shabbat: remember and observe. Some families add an extra candle for each child, while others maintain different family traditions.

There is no single “correct” number—what matters most is consistency and intention.

Shabbat Candles as a Centerpiece of the Table

Shabbat candles are typically placed in candlesticks and set on or near the Shabbat table. Over time, candlesticks themselves have become meaningful heirlooms or carefully chosen ritual objects.

Alongside items such as Shabbat candlesticks, Kiddush cups, and challah boards, the candles help define the physical and emotional space of Shabbat.

A Weekly Act of Renewal

More than a ritual obligation, lighting Shabbat candles is a weekly act of transition. It signals a shift away from productivity and urgency toward presence, rest, and connection.

In homes around the world, this quiet flame continues to do what it has always done—bring light, peace, and intention into Jewish life, one Shabbat at a time.