The Digital Library

In this short post, Rabbi Abraham Twerski relays his childhood memories of his mother lighting the Shabbat candles, focusing on the powerful message they sent about his own inherent self

In this short post, Sarah Fishman describes the basics of the candle lighting ceremony, as part of an article introducing the Shabbat home rituals of candle lighting, kiddush over wine,

This interview describes how watching his mother light Shabbat candles was a formative spiritual experience for Reb Zalman Schacther Shalomi, one of the founders of the Jewish Renewal movement, which

This short article serves as an introduction to the basics of the candle lighting ceremony, including who lights candles, with what type of candles, when, and how, plus a mention of

In this comprehensive article, Rhona Lewis shares many of the deep spiritual and kabbalistic teachings behind the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. Using a wide variety of Biblical, Talmudic, halachic

In this highly sourced academic article, Dr. Ismar Schorsch explores how and why lighting Shabbat candles is of paramount importance in Jewish tradition, despite the fact that it is actually not

This article, reprinted on My Jewish Learning from JOFA, the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, mentions a variety of candle lighting customs, including how many candles to light, the order of lighting

This post explains the halachic reasoning behind the popular custom of covering one’s eyes while reciting the blessing after lighting the Shabbat candles. The author, Rabbi Howard Markose, is a

In this thought-provoking article, psychologist, Dr. Miriam Biber, explores the unique spiritual power of lighting the Shabbat candles through personal anecdotes and biblical, Talmudic and Chassidic sources. Described as a prototype for all of

The following article describes the practice of giving tzedakah (charity) before lighting the Shabbat evening candles, along with an explanation as to how these two actions are intrinsically connected. This

In this excerpt from the article, «Lighting Sabbath Candles,» Avi Lazerson discusses the historical and textual explanations for the commandment of lighting the Shabbat evening candles. He explains how this ritual was

The following excerpt from the article «Truth Stands the Test of Time» explains how the Shabbat candles are symbolic of the truth and authenticity of the Torah and the Jewish

In the following excerpt from Wendy I. Zierler’s article, «Shedding Feminist Light on the Sabbath Candles,» Zierler explores the possibility that the commandment for women to light the Shabbat evening

In this short excerpt from the essay «Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach,» Shabbat candle lighting is expounded on as an example of the importance of ritual within Reconstructionist Judaism. Reconstructionist Judaism

The following excerpt is a translation and explanation of a Hasidic text relating to Shabbat candle lighting, from The Sabbath Soul: Mystical Reflections on the Transformative Power of Holy Time by Eitan

These poetic quotes from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel describe the moment when Shabbat arrives, bringing with it an atmosphere of light, peace, rest, joy, and renewal. Heschel points to the creative and

This article explains how lighting Shabbat candles brings peace and harmony into the home, both practically and symbolically, and why this ritual is connected to the unique role of women in

This short post explores the Halachic (Jewish law) and Kabbalistic (Jewish mysticism) explanations as to why those lighting the Shabbat evening candles wave their hands three times over the lit candles

The following article addresses whether the tradition of women lighting Shabbat candles is empowering or restricting. The anonymous author explores the role of women in Orthodox Judaism, drawing on both Jewish

This blog post by Rabbi Adam Feldman explores the dual language of «shamor» and «zachor» used in the Torah to command the Jewish people to «remember» and «observe» Shabbat. Jewish

This article discusses the strong feminine aspect of the candle lighting ritual, including how various traditions which have been handed down from generation to generation through family matriarchs have gained halachic

In this blog post, Ellie Krupnick shares her personal journey of coming to appreciate the refuge from technology and work offered by Shabbat. Although not specifically about the candle lighting ritual,

Referencing Jewish thinkers Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Blu Greenberg, this article describes lighting the Shabbat candles as a transformative act that enables us to create temples in time, thus

This enlightening article explores the age old connection between Jewish women and Shabbat candles, explaining references to the Matriarch, Sarah, lighting Shabbat candles in the Torah and Midrash. The article delves into

This piece provides a mystical explanation of the Shabbat candle lighting ritual, applying ancient Kabbalistic concepts in a way that is relevant for modern Jews. Written by Rabbi Goldie Milgram, a

In this piece, the author describes Shabbat as a holistic experience, beginning with the lighting of the Shabbat candles. She suggests that the two candles represent different dualistic aspects we