Rebbetzin Riddle: You Light Up My Life!

It's a mitzvah to welcome the Shabbos by lighting candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon. Women traditionally perform this mitzvah. However, if there are no women present, a man must light Shabbos candles. The custom is to light at least two candles: one for the mitzvah to remember the Shabbos (which refers to the positive commandments), and the second for the mitzvah to observe it (which refers to the negative commandments).

Some mothers light a candle for every member of the family. In some homes, young girls start lighting a Shabbos candle from the age of three - with help from their mothers, of course!

Many people also put a few coins into a charity box just before lighting the candles.

According to the Holy Zohar, Shabbos candles bring peace to the world, blessings into the home, and children who excel in learning Torah and performing mitzvos.

Do you know how to light Shabbos candles?

Step 1. Light the candles before you recite the blessing.

Step 2. Cover your eyes.

Step 3. Recite this blessing: Baruch A-tah A-Do-Nai Elo-hai-nu Me-lech HaOlam Asher Kiddishanu B'Mitzvosav Vitzivanu L'Hadlik Ner Shel Shabbos Kodesh.

"Blessed are You, L-rd of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to light the lamp of the Holy Shabbos."

Have a good Shabbos!