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 16, 2012
What is the order of kindling/
I have to light two candles. What is the right order, from right to left or from left to right? Please relieve my doubt because different people say different things. One even suggested kindling one candle from the other, not from a match. Please, answer before the sunset. THank you very much for your promptness.
Posted By Svetlana Vintman, Brooklyn, USA
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.
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