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Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

Shabbat · Ritual

Shabbat Candle Lighting

הַדְלָקַת נֵרוֹתhadlakat nerot
Awaiting expert review

Before sunset on Friday at least two candles are lit in the home and a blessing is recited. The light is meant to ensure peace in the home and the honor and joy of Shabbat. The obligation rests on the household; traditionally the woman fulfills it, but if a man lives alone, he lights.

01

Meaning and obligation

Halakhah

The Talmud calls lighting the Shabbat light an obligation and links it with peace in the home (shalom bayit): without light, people stumble at home and quarrels arise.1,2

Halakhah

The Mishnah counts lighting the lamp among three commandments entrusted especially to women.3

Halakhah⁂ To verify

The Shulchan Arukh rules that both men and women are obligated; the woman of the house takes precedence, and if she is not present, the man lights.4

02

Time and procedure

MinhagIsraelDiaspora⁂ To verify

The candles are lit before sunset, because no fire is kindled on Shabbat. The usual time given is 18 minutes before sunset; in Jerusalem, by local custom, 40 minutes.5

MinhagAshkenazimSephardim⁂ To verify

In Ashkenazi practice one first lights and then, with eyes covered, says the blessing; many Sephardi communities first bless and then light. For the text, see Blessing over the Shabbat candles.6

Minhag

The two candles are interpreted as "remember" and "keep"; some families add a candle for each child.

03

On holidays

HalakhahDiaspora⁂ To verify

Candles are also lit before holidays. Unlike on Shabbat, on a holiday it is permitted to light from an already burning flame, so in the Diaspora on the second evening of a holiday the candles are lit only after nightfall, from an existing fire.

FAQ

Can electric light be used?

Some halakhic authorities permit it in case of need (e.g. in a hospital); candles or oil lamps are generally recommended.⁂ To verify

Why does the woman cover her eyes during the blessing?

Because according to Ashkenazi custom the blessing comes only after the lighting; by covering her eyes she "sees" the light only after the blessing.⁂ To verify

Sources

See also