THE CANDLE-LIGHTING BLESSING

As the sun sinks low in the Friday sky, the Earth relaxes. Shabbat is coming—and with her, peace and tranquility. Just as Shabbat is about to begin, we welcome the Shabbat Queen with candles. These candles illuminate the home with a magical glow, creating an aura of Shabbat around the Shabbat table and throughout the entire abode.

Our Sages tell us, “A little light dispels much darkness.” When a room is completely dark, one small flame will illuminate the entire space.

Each one of our flames that we kindle for Shabbat introduces a little more light and hope into this world. Around the Earth, as each woman and girl ignites match to flame, and flame to candle, the lights combine to create a great sphere of brightness, illuminating the world with the awareness of Shabbat, and the Oneness of Hashem, bringing peace and tranquility to all of creation.

Our mothers and grandmothers and great-great-great grandmothers have been lighting Shabbat candles for thousands of years. We are told that even Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah, the mothers of the Jewish nation, all lit candles to welcome Shabbat.

When we light the Shabbat candles, we are a link in this great tradition of women who brought the light of Shabbat into their homes and made their homes into a place of holiness, warmth, and goodness.

The Kohen Gadol, the High Priest of our Holy Temple, the Beit Hamikdash, would kindle the flames of the menorah to bring holiness and light into the world. We do the same with our Shabbat candles in our homes, our mini Beit Hamikdash.

*THERE IS AN ANCIENT JEWISH CUSTOM, REAWAKENED IN MODERN TIMES BY THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE, FOR UNMARRIED GIRLS TO LIGHT THEIR OWN SHABBAT (AND HOLIDAY) CANDLE EVERY WEEK FROM THE TIME THEY ARE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THE MITZVAH AND RECITE THE BLESSING. FOR THOSE WHO KEEP THIS TRADITION, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO INTRODUCE THIS MITZVAH TO A GIRL BY HER THIRD BIRTHDAY, THE AGE WHEN CHINUCH, FORMAL JEWISH EDUCATION, BEGINS.

WHEN DO WE LIGHT?

Shabbat candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. There are many ways to figure out when this time is, but the easiest way is to go online and search for the Shabbat candle-lighting time in your area that week. Shabbat candles need to be lit before sunset, because once the sun sets, Shabbat begins and we’re not allowed to light a fire on Shabbat. Candles are also lit to welcome in every Jewish holiday that is mentioned in the Torah. These include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, Pesach, and Shavuot. These holidays are very similar to Shabbat in observance. However, unlike Shabbat, we are allowed to use fire to light candles or to cook,* as long as the flame was lit before the holiday began. So, the holiday candles can be lit later in the evening if desired. On the second night of a holiday or when a holiday begins on Saturday night, the candles may only be kindled after nightfall (from a pre-existing flame). Please visit Chabad.org for the special candle-lighting blessings for each of the holidays, as well as further instructions and information.

WHERE SHOULD WE LIGHT?

The candles are lit to beautify the home for Shabbat, and especially the Shabbat dinner on Friday night. The best place to light them is where we can see them during our Shabbat dinner, and they can give us that special glow that will illuminate our Shabbat meal.

WHAT DO WE LIGHT?

We can light pretty much anything that will stay lit for long enough to light up our Shabbat dinner, and beautify our home. Some have the tradition to light olive oil lamps with wicks, some use regular candles, some like to use colorful ones. Which kind of candle do you choose to light?

WHO LIGHTS?

All Jewish women and and some have the tradition for girls over the age of three to light as well. Girls should light before their mothers, so their mothers can assist them if needed. It is the special privilege of the women and girls in the home to create this magical atmosphere which brings a special enjoyment to Shabbat and peace in the home. If there are no women in the home who are able to light the Shabbat candles, the man of the house should light them instead.

PREPARING TO LIGHT

The time of Shabbat candle lighting is so powerful and holy, we like to prepare for it by giving tzedakah, charity, to open our hearts to others, and open the channels of blessing. Many people like to keep a special tzedakah box near their candles for this purpose.

HOW ARE THE CANDLES LIT?

Married women light two candles. Many women have the custom to light an additional candle for each of their children. Unmarried women and girls light one candle, in preparation for the day that they will create the environment of Shabbat in their very own homes. Wave your arms and hands inward in a circular motion three times, then cover your eyes with your hands, and recite the special blessing on the following page. This is a powerful time for prayer, take your time. Uncover your eyes. It is now Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom!

*Except for the holiday of Yom Kippur, during which all the laws of Shabbat apply, including those of fire, whatever day of the week it is. 15