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Shabbat Candles
Why do Jewish people light Shabbat candles every Friday night? Shabbat is the Day of Rest in Judaism. Jews welcome this holy day by lighting Shabbat candlesticks and performing a Kiddush. According to tradition, two Shabbat candles or more are lit on Friday evening, 18 minutes before sundown, to welcome Shabbat. Lighting Shabbat candles is an important mitzvah in Judaism.
Every Friday night before sunset, the Jewish family welcomes the Shabbat by lighting Shabbat candles.
Two candles are traditionally lit to welcome the Shabbat.
Shabbat candles are traditionally lit by Jewish women.
Around twenty minutes before the sun goes down, the mother or daughter says a quiet prayer while placing her hands over her eyes. Since the woman generally is associated with the character of the Jewish home, she was given the privilege of lighting the Shabbat candles.
According to Talmud, women light Shabbat candles as a redemption. The first woman Eve was responsible for the fall from heaven when she was tempted by the snake. Now women must redeem by adding light into the world. By lighting Shabbat candles, women generate spiritual light which illuminates the Jewish home for the entire week.
In case there is no woman in the household, a man may light the candles.
The blessing over Shabbat candles is: The spiritual light generated by a woman's Shabbat candles illuminates the home, not only on Shabbat, but also during the weekdays that follow (or Nerot). "Blessed are You,
LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles". According to tradition, as Shabbat comes in, the skies open up, and it is time for the woman who recites the blessing to make her deepest wishes.
Why do we light Shabbat candles?
The act of lighting Shabbat candles represents the Creation of the Light. In lighting Shabbat candles we fulfill two Mitzvahs: honor the Shabbat and bring domestic peace and tranquility (Shlom Bayit). Others say that we light two candles for the two commandments - to remember the Shabbat and to observe the Shabbat.
The woman who recites the blessing covers her eyes so she would not enjoy the sacred candle light before blessing is completed. According to tradition, only after the woman finishes reciting the
blessing, she uncovers her eyes and looks at the Shabbat candles light.
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