When do I light Shabbat candles?

Before sunset on Friday; see the Shabbat times page for your city.

At least two; many add one for each child.

Do men light if no woman is at home?

Yes – someone in every home lights, and a man living alone lights with the blessing.

Shabbat Candle Blessing הדלקת נרות שבת

Said on Friday before sunset when lighting the Shabbat candles – usually 18 minutes before sunset (other times by local custom).

What it means

A blessing thanking God who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle – bringing light and peace into the home.

Summary (our own explanation, not a translation)

Notes

Sephardim usually say the blessing and then light; Ashkenazim usually light, cover the eyes and then bless.
Lighting by the woman of the house brings Shabbat in for her; she should not do work afterwards.
On Yom Tov the blessing ends “ner shel Yom Tov” (or “shel Shabbat veshel Yom Tov”).

Hebrew text

לפני הדלקת נרות שבת תברך:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת:

לפני הדלקת נר של יום טוב תברך:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל אם חל בשבת יוסיף: (שַׁבָּת וְ) יוֹם טוֹב:

Transliteration (Sephardic pronunciation)

Generated automatically from the vocalized Hebrew (Sephardic / modern Israeli pronunciation); it is an aid to reading and may differ slightly from your community's pronunciation.

Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech haolam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav, vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel shabat.

Baruch ata Adonai, eloheinu melech haolam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav, vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom tov.

English translation

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle.

Blessed are You, L·rd, Our G·d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His Commandments & commanded us to light the candle [If Yom Tov falls on Shabbat, add: of Shabbat and] of the Holy Day.

Frequently asked questions

When do I light Shabbat candles?: Before sunset on Friday; see the Shabbat times page for your city.
How many candles?: At least two; many add one for each child.
Do men light if no woman is at home?: Yes – someone in every home lights, and a man living alone lights with the blessing.

Sources and licences

Hebrew text: סידור עדות המזרח, מהדורת תורת אמת (Torat Emet 357), כפי שהועלה לספריא (Sefaria) – נחלת הכלל (Public Domain).
Translation: Siddur Edot HaMizrach – Sefaria Community Translation – CC0.
Transliteration: generated automatically by this site.
Introduction, notes, summary and FAQ: original text of this site.

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For learning and general information only. Customs differ between communities; for halachic questions ask your rabbi.