Are there any rules or guidelines, in the torah or any other recognized Jewish document, that determans the number of candles A jewish wife should light on shabat (friday night), at sundown. Or what other referances are there.
The main purpose of lighting candles for Shabbat is that there should be light in the home for the sake of beautifying and enhancing the enjoyment of the day and also to prevent people from tripping and bumping into each other. For this even a single candle would be sufficient. The Shulchan Aruch (OC:263:1) says that a proper custom is to light two candles. One for “zachor” and one for “shamor.” These are the two different ways the Shabbat law is described in the two repetitions of the ten commandments. In Exodus it states “zachor”, meaning “remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it”, and in Deuteronomy is says “shamor”, “Safegaurd the Shabbat day to sanctify it.” There are also other traditions. The “Mishnah Brurah” also quotes the custom of lighting seven candles representing the seven days of creation and another custom where ten candles are lit representing the ten commandments. In my own home, and those of many others whom I know, a candle is lit for each member of the household. I hope this answers your question. Please write again.
Sincerely,
R Daniel Fleksher
At one time threre weer 7 members in this househould, my wife lit 7 candles. There are only 2 of us. My wife believes that a reduction of the munber from 7 is not permitted. Is this a bobbeh meisseh (folk tale) or what.
There is a concept in Judaism that we elevate in holiness but do not lower. For example, one would be able to sell a set of tefillin and use the money to buy a Torah scroll, but not something of lower holiness. This might also be applied here. Once youve elevated the way you beautify the Shabbat, it might not be appropriate to detract from that number even if the reason behind it no longer applies.
D.F.