Prayer and Religious Articles: Tzitzis, Tefillin, Torah Scrolls, and Mezuzos: Candles:
Why do Jews use candles?
Candles are lit before Shabbat because the meal should
not be eaten in the dark, and to demonstrate that
Ex.35:3 means that fire mustn't be kindled on Shabbat,
but a fire lit before Shabbat is allowed to continue to
burn. Candles are used at havdalah to recite the blessing
over fire, which was first made by Adam after the first
Shabbat ended. Candles are lit in a mourner's house or in
a place where someone died because the soul is compared to
a candle (Mishlei 20:27). Finally, candles are lit on
Chanukah to commemorate the mircale.
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