Blessing Over Shabbat Candles
As the sun dips below the horizon and a gentle hush falls over the world, we step into Shabbat — a sacred pause in time. In Judaism, each day begins at sundown, reminding us that light is born out of darkness, and peace follows the quiet of evening.
Lighting the Shabbat candles marks this holy transition from weekday to rest — from doing to simply being. With each flame we kindle, we invite warmth, blessing, and serenity into our homes, allowing G-d’s presence to dwell among us. It is a moment to breathe, to bless, and to welcome the stillness that Shabbat brings.
How to Light the Shabbat Candles
Traditionally, two candles are lit — one representing Zachor (“remember”) and the other Shamor (“observe”) — the twin commands of Shabbat. Married women typically light them, though anyone may do so if they are welcoming Shabbat.
- Light the candles approximately 18 minutes before sundown on Friday evening.
- After lighting, cover your eyes with your hands, drawing in the glow and reflecting on the peace of Shabbat.
- Then say the blessing below, letting your heart settle into the holiness of the moment.
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The Blessing
Hebrew:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the light of Shabbat.
After the Blessing
Many take a quiet moment after saying the blessing — eyes still covered — to whisper personal prayers for their family, loved ones, or inner peace.
When you open your eyes, the world around you is already different. The light you’ve kindled becomes more than fire — it becomes presence, peace, and renewal.
Shabbat candle lighting is not only a mitzvah (commandment) — it’s a spiritual practice that transforms time itself. Each flicker reminds us that even in the week’s rush and noise, we can create stillness and holiness simply by pausing, blessing, and inviting light in.
There’s something deeply peaceful about the moment the candles are lit — as their soft glow fills the room, the noise of the week begins to fade away. Lighting the Shabbat candles
Why We Light
The Shabbat candles are more than symbols of peace — they are acts of creation. Just as G-d brought light into the world at the beginning of time, we bring light into our homes each week, affirming that we too are partners in creation.
Their gentle glow softens the boundaries between the sacred and the everyday. The light welcomes harmony into the home, unity into relationships, and awareness into the heart. It’s a reminder that holiness isn’t distant — it begins right where we stand, in the quiet warmth of a single flame.
Through these candles, we honor both the physical and spiritual worlds: the light we see, and the light we feel. We bless not only what is, but what will be — the peace, love, and renewal that Shabbat brings to every soul who welcomes it.
Personal Reflection
When I light my Shabbat candles, I take a deep breath and let everything from the week fade away — the noise, the rush, the endless to-do lists. In that quiet moment, it’s just me, the soft glow of the flames, and the awareness that G-d is near.
I whisper my own prayers — sometimes for peace in my home, sometimes for healing, and sometimes just for stillness in my heart. Each candle feels like a bridge between heaven and earth, reminding me that no matter how chaotic life gets, there is always light waiting to be kindled again.
The flicker of those flames feels like hope — gentle, steady, and alive. Shabbat begins not in the synagogue or through grand gestures, but right here, in this small act of light. And as the glow fills the room, I remember that G-d’s presence doesn’t have to be found — it’s already here, waiting for us to notice.
The Chai Life 
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