Candle Lighting

We usher in the peace and sanctity of Shabbat by lighting candles every Friday evening. The candles are lit eighteen minutes before sunset and mark the commencement of Shabbat in the home. The mitzvah of lighting candles has been given especially to women, but it is an obligation for every home, and if no woman is present to light, the candles are lit by the man of the home.

As soon as a young girl can understand the significance of Shabbat and can say the blessing (at approximately three years of age), she should kindle her own Shabbat candle. A girl should light before her mother, so her mother can help if necessary, and is also forbidden to light her candle after the proper time. Candles are lit on or near the table where the Shabbat dinner will be served, to add to the light and joy of Shabbat.

It is customary to give some coins to charity before kindling the Shabbat candles. The practical reason for this is that on Shabbat we may not handle money, so we're giving extra charity before Shabbat to make up for the charity we can't give on Shabbat. The spiritual reason is to remind us to consider the needs of others even, and perhaps especially, during great spiritual moments.

After you've given charity and removed the charity box, light the candles.

Single girls and women light one candle. After marriage, women light two -- and some have the custom of lighting one candle for each member of the immediate family.

Draw your hands toward yourself, over the flames, bringing the warmth of the light within.

Cover your eyes and recite the blessing.

Transliteration:
Boruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos Ko-desh

Translation:
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.

Uncover your eyes, gaze at the Shabbat lights and greet your family with "Good Shabbos" or "Shabbat Shalom."

The time of candle-lighting is considered particularly auspicious for private prayer. Women have traditionally prayed, as they stand with eyes closed, for health, happiness, children who will illuminate the world with Torah, and the ultimate Redemption which will be ushered in by the Messiah. Girls, too, offer their own prayers at this special moment, as they discover the beauty of a practice which will enlighten their entire lives.

Once you light the candles and recite the blessing, you have accepted shabbat into your home. As fire is muktzah on shabbat, the candles and candlesticks may not be touched or moved until the conclusion of Shabbat.

Times
In most communities, the candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset. Some communities, such as those in Jerusalem, have the custom of lighting the candles and bringing in the Shabbat earlier. In that case, light the candles as per your community custom. The latest one may light the candles is sunset; after sunset, Shabbat has began even if you have not lit the candles, and handling or lighting a flame is a desecration of the Shabbat and forbidden. Find times for your area here.

The earliest one may light the Shabbat candles is plag Hamincha Friday afternoon. Plag Hamincha is a Halachic time that begins the last eighth of the day. See our Zmanim page for Halachic times for your location.