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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February 4, 2013

To Dovid

What I have observed is that one of them should light the whole batch and the other lights just two. So if she will be unable to light them all wherever she is, he lights them all.

Shlomo Goldstein

December 14, 2012

Man with wife away

Does a man who's wife is away light one, two or more for his children as well as per his wife's regular custom?

dovid

March 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.

Svetlana Vintman
Brooklyn, USA

March 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.

Menachem Posner for Chabad.org

March 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?

Don Werner
Northfiled, MN

February 13, 2009

shabat candles

Beautifully done. Thank you for the effort, it is deeply appreciated and helpful to all.

M. Meyers
CT/ usa