{"id":2066,"date":"2026-07-08T21:08:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T18:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tshura.co.il\/shabbat-candle-lighting-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T21:54:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T18:54:46","slug":"shabbat-candle-lighting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tshura.co.il\/en\/shabbat-candle-lighting-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabbath Candle Blessing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Guide \u00b7 Shabbat Candles<\/span>

Shabbat Candle Blessing: The Full Text and Order of Lighting<\/h1>

Everything you need for the moment of lighting the candles: the text of the blessing with vowels, the order, the time, and the customs.<\/p>

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The moment the candles are lit is the moment the week pauses. Two small flames, and the entire home's atmosphere changes. This page contains everything needed for lighting Shabbat candles: the full blessing with vowels, the step-by-step lighting procedure, the lighting time, and answers to frequently asked questions.<\/p><\/div><\/section>

Shabbat Candle Blessing: The Full Text<\/h2>
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The blessing over the Shabbat candles is almost identical in all communities:<\/p>

\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d4', \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b6\u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05e7\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d5\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05e0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05ea. (the blessing appears in its original Hebrew)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Some communities customarily end the blessing with an added phrase: \u05e0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05ea \u05e7\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 (shown in its original Hebrew).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>

The order of lighting Shabbat candles, step by step<\/h2>
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At the time of lighting, the woman accepts Shabbat upon herself, and therefore, according to the prevailing custom, they light first and then recite the blessing, with their eyes covered. This way, the enjoyment of the candlelight comes immediately after the blessing.<\/p><\/div>

1<\/div>

The preparation<\/h3>

Place the candlesticks on a stable surface, away from curtains and flammable objects, and arrange the candles. It is customary to give some coins to charity before lighting.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

2<\/div>

The lighting<\/h3>

Light all the candles. Place the match gently and let it burn out on its own; do not blow it out.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

3<\/div>

Eye mask<\/h3>

They cover their eyes with their hands.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

4<\/div>

The Blessing<\/h3>

We recite the Shabbat candle blessing from the text above.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

5<\/div>

The gaze and the prayer<\/h3>

Remove your hands and look at the candlelight. Many tend to add a personal prayer for the household members at this moment, and the time of lighting is considered a favorable time.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

There are Eastern communities that practice reciting the blessing first and then lighting immediately afterward, as with other commandments. Each household continues its custom.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>

Shabbat candle lighting time<\/h2>
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[Candles] are lit before Shabbat enters, and [we] add from the weekday to the holy day. The common custom in Israel is about 18 minutes before sunset. Some cities have a custom to light earlier, like Haifa with 30 minutes, and in Jerusalem they light 40 minutes before sunset. The exact time varies from place to place and from week to week, and is published in Shabbat time calendars. After sunset, candles are not lit at all.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section>

Frequently Asked Questions about Lighting Shabbat Candles<\/h2>
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