🔥 Lighting Candles, Lighting the Soul

A Soft and Sacred Ritual at Home

🕯️ Why We Light

Lighting Shabbat candles is often the first ritual people begin — and the one they hold onto most dearly. It marks the official start of Shabbat, but it also does something more intimate: it lights something inside us.

In this guide, you’ll find practical guidance, reflective questions, and gentle encouragement to help you begin or deepen your own candle lighting ritual — whether you’re doing it alone, with family, or for the very first time.

✨ What You’ll Need

You don’t need much. Here’s what’s traditionally used, and how you can adapt it:

• Two candles (but even one is enough)
• A quiet place to light — your kitchen table, a small shelf, or even your windowsill
• A lighter or matches
• Optional: a small tray or cloth underneath, or a flower nearby

🌙 When to Light

Shabbat begins 18 minutes before sunset each Friday.
If you miss the exact time, light as close as you can. The intention is what matters.

🔥 What to Say

You can recite a traditional blessing in English, or you can speak from your heart. Here’s a simple version you can try:

“As I light this candle, I welcome peace into my home and rest into my spirit. May this flame be a reminder of light, warmth, and sacred time.”

🕊️ 3 Simple Steps to Begin

1. Take a deep breath.
   Feel the energy of your week settle.
2. Light the candle(s).
   Watch the flame. Let it draw you inward.
3. Cover your eyes, pause, and say a blessing.
   This creates the transition from weekday to sacred time.

✍️ Reflection Prompt

What do I feel when I light a candle? What would I like to invite in?
Write a few words or simply close your eyes and ask the question silently.

💬 Sophie’s Reminder

You are not performing. You are welcoming.
The candle doesn’t just light your table — it lights your soul.

✍️ SOPHIE’S PERSONAL LETTER

“The Flame That Calmed Me”

There’s something quiet that happens when the candles are lit.

I didn’t always know that. In the beginning, I was focused on doing it right — where to place them, what to say, how to hold my hands. I used to check YouTube videos, worried I’d forget something.

But eventually, I stopped worrying. I let go of the rules and let the ritual become mine.

Now, when I light candles on Friday evening, I feel something soften inside me. It’s like the room exhales. Sometimes my daughters are dancing around in pajamas. Sometimes it’s been a chaotic day. But the flame always calms the air — and calms me too.

I light them with intention. I close my eyes. I speak a blessing — sometimes out loud, sometimes just in my heart.

It isn’t perfect. It isn’t always peaceful. But it’s real.

So if you’re learning to light for the first time, I want you to know: you’re doing it right. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re unsure. The act of showing up — that’s what makes it holy.

Whether you say the traditional blessing or whisper your own words, the flame will do what it always does: it will shine.

And in time, so will you.

Shabbat Shalom,
Sophie

🕯️ REFLECTIVE BLESSING

A Candle Blessing for Peace and Presence

As I welcome Shabbat,
May this flame soften my heart.
May it bring light into the places I’ve ignored.
May it warm the parts of me that feel tired.
May I let this moment be enough.
And may peace settle in, quietly and deeply, like the glow of this light.

🌿 What This Blessing Means

“May this flame soften my heart”
Even if you’ve had a hard week, let the light meet you with gentleness.

“May it bring light into the places I’ve ignored”
This is about awareness. The light reminds us to see ourselves with clarity and compassion.

“May it warm the parts of me that feel tired”
The glow is not just external — it nourishes the soul.

“May I let this moment be enough”
You don’t have to fix everything. You’re allowed to simply be.

“May peace settle in, quietly and deeply”
Let peace come in without fanfare. Let it rest inside you.

✍️ Create Your Own Candle Blessing

Try writing one sentence for yourself this week:

“As I light this candle, may I…”

Some ideas:

• “...feel calm for the first time this week.”
• “...remember I am enough.”
• “...let go of what I can’t control.”