A Mitzvah should be fulfilled, obviously, for its own sake, i.e., as a commandment from G‑d, and not in order to receive a reward. Nevertheless, there are some hints and lessons found within every Mitzvah, and its reward is also within it in many ways, since a Mitzvah is the channel to receive G‑d’s blessings.

If this applies to every single Mitzvah, how much more so regarding the Mitzvah of lighting a Shabbos candle, which our Sages of blessed memory have extolled (Gemara, Masechta Shabbos, 23, 2, and in several other places), saying that this Mitzvah is connected with the verse, “For the candle is a Mitzvah, and the Torah is light,” one of the explanations on this being that through lighting a Shabbos candle one merits the light of Torah in the home - the light of the entire Torah!

An additional point about this is, that the idea of a Shabbos candle is, simply, to light up the house with a physical light, in order that nobody should stumble or be harmed, G‑d forbid, in a dark home. But, the deeper meaning of this idea is that the Shabbos candle illuminates the home and the family members with the light of Torah, to be a candle to walk and a light for their path, to go securely on their journey in life. Because the path of life is filled with obstacles for one who walks in the darkness, and all routes are likely unsafe.

Overall, there is a special merit that comes with the Mitzvah of lighting a Shabbos and Yom Tov candle - which serves to illuminate your Mazal, to draw down G‑d’s blessings for all that you need, in material matters as well.

May it be G‑d’s will that all the blessings included in the Mitzvah of lighting a Shabbos and Yom Tov candle be fulfilled for you, and for your home and family as well, through you, both materially and spiritually.

(Excerpt)

(Igros Kodesh Vol. XXX, p. 60)