Do-It-Yourself Shabbat Candles - How to Light the Shabbat Candles

How to Light the Shabbat Candles

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July 17, 2012

beautiful!!!

very nicely done

Anonymous
Monsey

July 15, 2012

lighting the candles

i am still learning how to do this and need to learn the blessing. nxt Sabbath will be my 5th.

Anonymous
0000, Ireland

July 17, 2012

Re: Anonymous, Mexico

It is true that some Rabbis are of the opinion that it is best that one give a quick glance at the candles in between reciting the blessing and praying, Others (most) hold that it is unnecessary to do so.

Furthermore, they point out that it may be actually preferable not to gaze at the candles until after saying your prayers and requests, since we don't pray in the form of request on the actual Shabbat.(See Piskei Teshuvot on Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chaim 263:4 n. 45 for the various opinions on this).

That said, one should continue to follow the custom of their household, as both ways are valid.

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org

July 14, 2012

After reciting the blessing one should look at the candles. (similar to when reciting a blessing on an apple one imediately eats it) Then one may cover the eyes again and pray.

Anonymous
Mexico, Mexico

July 14, 2012

Are matches essential?

May one use, for example, a Bic Sure Start, which is lighter with a "trigger" on it? Or is it essential that Shabbat candles be lit with a match? I think with young children it's safer and easier to use the Bic instrument. Thank you for your guidance

Rivka
Columbia

July 13, 2012

Shabbat Candles' Lighting

It would be very nice for you to add the melody of the blessing; and to add captioning for those of us who are hard-of-hearing. The young woman speaks very quickly.
Thank you

Miriyam
Santa Rosa, CA
jewishsonoma.com

July 13, 2012

HOW to light Shabbos Candles

Thank you for the excellent educational way you have taught me to do this. I will be better at lighting candles now.

Roz "rachel leah" Busch
Stduio City , CA, USA

July 17, 2012

Re: lighting Shabbat candles

You are correct in pointing out that many Sefardim have the custom to first make the blessing and then light. at the same time, it should be noted however, that there are many Sefradim who follow the custom of the Kaf Hachaim, Ben Ish Chai etc. who hold that one should first light and only then make the blessing, as described in the video.

In general, in our articles we do try to include the various customs including both Sefard and Ashkenaz, however, this is a bit more difficult and complicated to do in a DIY video which is essentially designed to be short and simple. However, we will bear this in mind for the future.

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org

July 12, 2012

lighting Shabbat candles

In the Yalkut Yosef, siman 263 #s 32-34, it states that the blessing MUST be recited BEFORE one kindles the lights, before the mitzva is performed. it further states that according to the Rambam and the Shulhan Arukh, a woman who recites the blessing AFTER kindling the lights might be recitging the blessing in vain. it goes on to state that NO ONE MAY VEER FROM THIS PRACTICE.
i know that Ashkenazim follow the ruling of the Rama, but the way it is presented here, it gives the impression that this practice is universal. it would be nice if, once in a while, the Sephardic point of view and custom were given. Ashkenaz in general and Chabad in particular do not represent Judaism. Some of our customs predate the Ashkenaz communities. At the very least, mention that there are other customs JUST AS VALID. do mention the Sephardim. After all, we all still part of Klal Israel.

Joseph

Joseph Botbol
North York, Canada

July 17, 2012

Re Lighting Shabbat Candles

Indeed married women should cover their head when lighting the candles, thank you for pointing that out. The protagonist of this particular video clip is wearing a wig, a tradition many observant women follow as it covers all of their hair, please see this link for more information on that.

Chana Benjaminson
chabadofchesterfield.com

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