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Chabad.org » Mitzvahs & Traditions » Shabbat » Candle Lighting » Candle Lighting Guide » Questions and Answers » Why at least two candles?
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Why is it customary to light at least two candles?


Tradition connects the two candles to the two forms of the Shabbat commandment found in the Torah: "remember" and "observe." These two phrases, zachor et yom haShabbat (Exodus 20.9) and shmor et yom haShabbat (Deuteronomy 5.12) were uttered simultaneously by G-d at Sinai.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Mar 3, 2009
Holiday candles
Two candles are generally lit in honor of the holidays--just like Shabbat. My internet research (which I was unable to independently verify) reveals that the two candles represent the joy of the holiday and the honor which we accord it.
Posted By Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

Posted: Mar 2, 2009
That answered the questiom about the Sabbath candles, but what about the Passover Candles?
How many? Is there a reason for that many?
Posted By Don Werner, Northfiled, MN

Posted: Feb 13, 2009
shabat candles
Beautifully done. Thank you for the effort, it is deeply appreciated and helpful to all.
Posted By M. Meyers, CT/ usa



 


Questions and Answers
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Why the women?
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Why at least two candles?
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