Why Do We Light Candles on Shabbat and Festivals?

Finally, at the end of a long week, it's Shabbat eve and time to light the candles. It feels almost as though the world stands still for a moment. In an instant, the busy chaos of the day turns into the tranquility of Shabbat. We light the candles and gaze at the soothing glow of the flames. Finally, Shabbat is here.

The light of the flames dances on the silver of the candlesticks, reflected in turn on the polished tray. It's an iconic image of Shabbat. But why do we light Shabbat candles at all?

The reasons for lighting Shabbat candles

The mitzvah of lighting candles was established by our Sages for several reasons:

1. To ensure domestic peace. In olden days, before the advent of electricity, fire was the only source of light and candles were lit on the eve of Shabbat and festivals simply in order to illuminate the home and ensure that the members of the household could see where they were going and what they were doing. 

The numerical value (gematria) of the word נר--ner, a candle, is 250. The Midrash points out that men have 248 body parts and women, 252. Together, this makes 500 which is equivalent to two candles, hinting that the lighting of two flames on Shabbat and the festivals contributes to peaceful relations between husband and wife.

2.To honor Shabbat. There is a specific mitzvah to honor Shabbat, as we learn from the words of the prophet Yeshayahu: "And you shall call the Shabbat a delight, and the holy of the Lord honored ... and shall honor it by abstaining from your usual ways. One way in which we honor Shabbat is by lighting candles, as a meal eaten without illumination is not considered significant.

The Talmud states that on Shabbat eve, after the Maariv prayer, two angels accompany each householder home from the synagogue, to check that everything is ready and prepared for Shabbat with the beds made, the table set, and the candles lit.

3. To enjoy Shabbat. Part of the mitzvah of Shabbat is enjoying the holy day — not only its spiritual aspects but also the physical aspects, including the three meals. One cannot appreciate the meals without illumination; therefore we light candles.

4. To atone for Chava's sin. Of the 613 mitzvot, there are three specifically for women, one of which is lighting candles for Shabbat and festivals. This mitzvah corrects the sin of Chava, the first woman in creation, whose soul included the souls of all women. Chava led Adam to sin with the Eitz Hadaat (Tree of Knowledge), bringing upon him and all mankind the punishment of death; had they not sinned, they would not have died, and the world would have reached its perfection. Adam was called "the light of the world," and since Chava "extinguished the light of the world," women are required to correct this through the mitzvah of lighting the Shabbat candles.

5. To signify the neshamah yeteirah. All Jews who keep Shabbat receive an additional and higher soul during the holy day, called the neshamah yeteirah (the "extra soul"). Sefer Mishlei (Proverbs) likens the flame of a candle to the soul. According to the Midrash, the first candle corresponds to the regular soul present throughout the week, and the second candle signifies the neshamah yeteirah.

Candle-light in modern times

At first glance, several of the reasons cited above for lighting candles on the eve of Shabbat and the festivals may seem outdated. After all, today we have electric light, so how is the mitzvah still relevant?

It is important to know that every mitzvah has multiple layers of meaning to it, including some that are impenetrable to our mortal minds. The reasons provided by the Talmudic Sages are solely to help us connect to the mitzvot, but the underlying, fundamental reason for every mitzvah is: because Hashem commanded it. As the Maharal of Prague wrote, "The mitzvah is a decree upon us, and Hashem, blessed be He, did not consider what the receiver desires or wishes, but everything is a decree."

This principle applies not only to Torah-based mitzvot but also to mitzvot established by the Sages.

Moreover, we can all feel how candle-light changes the atmosphere, introducing warmth and tranquility that no electric bulb can replicate. There are many reasons for lighting Shabbat candles, some known to us and some not, but what is certain is that the flames illuminate our homes with spiritual light which penetrates the soul.

It is the time-honored custom of Jewish women to pray for their families and the entire Jewish People directly after lighting the Shabbat candles. The Siddur contains one such structured prayer and of course everyone is free to pray from her heart and beseech Hashem for all her needs.