The Meaning Behind Shabbat Candlesticks- Symbolism, Tradition, and Choosing the Right Pair
Every Friday as the sun begins to set, Jewish women and girls around the world stand before a pair of candlesticks, strike a match, and usher in a moment that has repeated itself, generation after generation, for thousands of years. The lighting of Shabbat candles is one of Judaism's most universal and intimate rituals. And the candlesticks that hold those flames- particularly when crafted in sterling silver- are among the most meaningful objects a Jewish home can contain.
Why do we light Shabbat candles? The meaning and origin
The mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles is derived from the Torah commandment to honour Shabbat- to sanctify it and to delight in it. The Sages instituted the specific practice of candle lighting to bring shalom bayit (peace in the home) and to honour the holiness of the day with light.
In a deeper sense, the candles mark a threshold. They signal the transition from the ordinary working week into sacred time. The moment the flame is lit, and the blessing recited, Shabbat has entered the home- and with it, a quality of rest, presence, and meaning that the rest of the week does not always carry.
"The candles do not merely illuminate the room. They illuminate the moment — creating a boundary between what was and what now is."
This is why Shabbat candlesticks are not merely decorative objects. They are instruments of a weekly act of sanctification, present at every Shabbat for as long as they remain in a home.
What do the two Shabbat candles represent?
The tradition is to light a minimum of two candles, corresponding to the two formulations of the Shabbat commandment in the Torah: Zachor (remember) from Shemot, and Shamor (observe) from Devarim. The two flames together represent both dimensions of Shabbat observance — active remembrance and protective rest.
Zachor- remember
The first candle recalls the commandment to actively remember and sanctify the Shabbat day.
Shamor- observe
The second candle represents the protective dimension — guarding Shabbat, refraining from forbidden labour.
Shalom bayit
Together, both flames bring peace and light into the home — the Rabbinic purpose at the heart of the mitzvah.
Many families add additional candles — one for each child — a beautiful and widely observed custom that turns the candlesticks into a living record of a growing family.
Who lights Shabbat candles — and when?
Traditionally, the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles belongs to women and girls, and is considered one of the three mitzvot with particular feminine significance in Jewish law. Girls begin lighting their own candle (one candle) from the age of Bat Mitzvah, or earlier in many families. When a woman marries, she lights the household candles; her husband may also light if she is unable to.
Candles are lit eighteen minutes before Shabbat begins — before sunset on Friday evening. (In Jerusalem, the custom is forty minutes.) Once lit, the blessing is recited, and Shabbat has officially begun for those who have lit.
The exact time for candle lighting changes weekly based on sunset. Most Jewish communities publish a weekly candle-lighting time, and many apps and websites provide this by location. The eighteen-minute buffer exists to ensure candles are lit before Shabbat begins.
The ritual: how Shabbat candles are lit
Prepare the candlesticks
Place the candlesticks on the Shabbat table. Insert fresh candles — traditionally white, though any colour is acceptable. Ensure they are secured firmly.
Light the candles
Strike a match and light both candles before reciting the blessing. The candles must already be lit when the blessing is said.
Draw in the light
Wave the hands over the flames — traditionally three circular motions — drawing the light inward. This symbolic gesture welcomes the Shabbat spirit into the home.
Cover the eyes and recite the blessing
Cover the eyes with both hands and recite: Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Shabbat.
Personal prayer
After the blessing, many women take a moment for personal prayer- a traditionally auspicious time for requests, gratitude, and intention. This is considered one of the most powerful moments in the weekly Jewish calendar.
Why sterling silver candlesticks hold special significance
The Torah principle of hiddur mitzvah — beautifying a commandment — teaches that ritual objects should be as beautiful as one can make them. This is not vanity; it is a form of honour. Using a beautiful pair of sterling silver Shabbat candlesticks expresses reverence for the mitzvah itself.
Sterling silver carries this principle further than any other material. As a globally recognised precious metal with genuine intrinsic value, it brings weight, presence, and permanence to the ritual. A sterling silver candlestick used for Shabbat every week becomes more than a functional object — it becomes a witness to years of sanctified time.
- 92.5% pure silver throughout
- Polishable indefinitely — never degrades
- Carries intrinsic precious metal value
- Repairable and restorable by a silversmith
- Deepens in character with every use
- Heirloom-grade for generations
- Base metal core — brass or copper
- Thin coating wears with weekly polishing
- No intrinsic silver value
- Cannot be fully restored once worn
- Degrades visibly within years of use
- Not suitable for heirloom gifting
For candlesticks used every single Shabbat — fifty or more times per year — only sterling silver maintains its dignity across decades of use. Candlesticks lit in a couple's first apartment may continue glowing in their grandchildren's homes. This continuity is the essence of what makes sterling silver Judaica genuinely different.
Choosing the right Shabbat candlesticks
When selecting a pair of sterling silver Shabbat candlesticks — whether for yourself, as a wedding gift, or a Bat Mitzvah present — several considerations matter.
Height and proportion: Candlesticks range from compact low-profile pairs to tall, elegant columns. The right height depends on where they will sit — a smaller table suits lower candlesticks; a large, formal Shabbat table can carry taller pieces.
Style: Classical engraved designs suit traditional homes; smooth, minimal forms suit contemporary interiors. At IDITA 925, every pair is crafted in solid 925 sterling silver, regardless of style — the aesthetic choice never compromises the material standard.
Engraving: A pair of candlesticks engraved with a name, Hebrew date, or short blessing becomes a named, dated heirloom. For a Bat Mitzvah or wedding gift, engraving is almost always worth doing.
Hallmark: Always confirm the pair is stamped 925 — not silver-plated. The hallmark is the only reliable guarantee of genuine sterling silver content.
Frequently asked questions
Why do we light Shabbat candles?
Shabbat candle lighting is a Rabbinic mitzvah instituted to honour Shabbat and bring peace and light into the home. The two candles correspond to the two Torah formulations of the Shabbat commandment — Zachor (remember) and Shamor (observe). The act marks the transition from the ordinary week into sacred time, and is one of the most universally observed Jewish practices.
What do Shabbat candlesticks symbolise?
Shabbat candlesticks symbolise the sanctification of the day, the peace of the home, and the continuity of Jewish tradition. The two flames together represent the dual commandments of remembering and observing Shabbat. Over time, a pair of candlesticks used weekly becomes a family heirloom — a physical record of years of Shabbat observed.
How many candles do you light for Shabbat?
The minimum is two candles, corresponding to the two formulations of the Shabbat commandment. Many families add one candle per child — a widespread and beautiful custom. Some Ashkenazi traditions light seven candles; Sephardic traditions vary. Two is the universal minimum.
Who lights Shabbat candles?
The mitzvah is traditionally held by women and girls. Girls often begin lighting their own candle from a young age, and from Bat Mitzvah onwards. When a woman marries, she lights the household candles. If she is unable to, her husband lights in her place. The entire household benefits from the mitzvah being fulfilled.
What are the best Shabbat candlesticks to buy?
For candlesticks used every Shabbat, solid 925 sterling silver is the only material that holds up across decades of weekly use and polishing. Look for the 925 hallmark stamped on the base. Choose a style suited to your home — traditional engraved designs or clean modern forms — and consider engraving if gifting. IDITA 925 offers handcrafted sterling silver candlesticks in both classic and contemporary styles.
Are Shabbat candlesticks a good gift?
Yes — among the most meaningful Judaica gifts for a Bat Mitzvah, wedding, or housewarming. A pair of sterling silver Shabbat candlesticks is used every single week, becoming more personally significant with every Shabbat. Engraved with a name and date, they become a lifelong heirloom tied to the occasion on which they were given.
