Shabbos Candles
Shabbos candles are lit every Friday before sunset across virtually every Jewish home in the world, making them the single most universally consumed Jewish ritual item in the annual calendar. Standard white Shabbos candles in the 4-hour and 5-hour burn lengths cover the needs of most households for a full Shabbos night, while longer-burning and larger candles suit hosts who want light throughout an extended Shabbos dinner. Shabbos candle selection often comes down to burn time, drip resistance, and how well the candle sits in the household's specific candlestick holders. Browse our candlesticks collection for the holders alongside the candles.
Havdalah Candles
The Havdalah candle is a distinctive ritual item, traditionally braided or twisted from multiple wicks rather than a single wick, since the halacha requires a multi-wicked flame for the Havdalah ceremony at the close of Shabbos. Eichlers carries Havdalah candles in Classic, Urban Deco, Gold Hourglass, and White and Gold Facet designs in colors including grey, blue, off-white, and gold, providing both the functional multi-wick requirement and a range of aesthetic options for households who want their Havdalah candle to coordinate with the rest of their Havdalah set. The burn time of a Havdalah candle matters less than the flame height and multi-wick construction, since the candle is used for only a few minutes during the ceremony itself. Browse our Havdalah sets collection for the full set alongside the candles.
Chanukah Candles
Chanukah candles need to burn for at least thirty minutes after nightfall to fulfill the mitzvah of pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle, which makes burn time one of the most practically important specifications when selecting a Chanukah candle. Eichlers carries Chanukah candles in both standard Value Pack editions and Premium Handcrafted Frosted versions in Multi, Blue and White, Blues, and Frosted Multi colorways, as well as DIY Beeswax Chanukah candles in a 24-candle Colorbox for families who want to involve children in making their own candles. The Premium Handcrafted editions in 45-count boxes cover eight nights of lighting with extras for the shamash, making the math of how many candles a household needs straightforward regardless of how many menorahs are being lit. Browse our menorahs collection for the menorah alongside the candles.
Premium Handcrafted Frosted Chanukah Candles
Premium handcrafted Chanukah candles are a meaningful upgrade from the standard machine-made alternatives, with a noticeably more beautiful appearance when lit and a cleaner, more even burn that produces less dripping than economy-grade candles. The frosted finish on the premium editions creates a visually softer, more elegant effect when the candle is burning, suited to a household that takes the hiddur of the Chanukah lighting seriously. The 45-count boxes in blue and white, blues, multi, and frosted multi colorways allow families to choose a consistent color palette for their menorah throughout the full eight nights rather than lighting whatever came in a mixed economy pack.
DIY Beeswax Chanukah Candles
The DIY Beeswax Chanukah Candles 24-candle Colorbox is a genuinely unique product that turns Chanukah preparation into a hands-on family activity, providing the beeswax sheets and wicks needed for children to roll their own Chanukah candles in the days leading up to the holiday. Beeswax candles burn cleanly and produce less dripping than standard paraffin candles, making them a practical choice alongside the educational and experiential value of the candle-making activity itself. This product is one of the most distinctive pre-Chanukah gifts available for a family with young children.
Travel Candle Sets
The Travel Hadlakas Neiros Set addresses the practical challenge of Shabbos candle lighting away from home, providing a compact, self-contained set that makes it possible to fulfill the mitzvah of Shabbos candle lighting in a hotel room, at a relative's home, at camp, or on vacation without requiring a separate search for candles or improvising with whatever is available. Travel candle sets are a standard addition to any Shabbos travel kit and make a thoughtful practical gift for a family that travels frequently or for a young person going to overnight camp for a season.
Choosing the Right Jewish Candles
Match the candle to the specific mitzvah it is fulfilling. Shabbos candles need sufficient burn time to last through the Friday night meal, typically 4 to 6 hours. Havdalah candles need a multi-wick construction for halachic validity. Chanukah candles need to burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. Travel candles need to be compact, safe for hotel use, and ideally disposable to avoid bringing back used candles from a trip. Getting the right candle for the right occasion makes each mitzvah both halachically sound and practically pleasant.
Jewish Candles as Gifts
A beautiful set of Havdalah candles, a box of premium Chanukah candles, or a travel Hadlakas Neiros set are all practical and seasonally appropriate gifts for virtually any Jewish occasion. A Havdalah candle paired with a quality Havdalah set makes a meaningful wedding gift. Premium Chanukah candles given ahead of the holiday make a simple but appreciated present for a neighbor, teacher, or colleague. Browse our full wedding gifts and Judaica collection for more meaningful gifts to pair with candles.
Shop All Jewish Candles at Eichlers
Eichlers carries the complete range of Jewish candles for every occasion in the weekly and annual Jewish calendar.
- Candlesticks, silver and elegant pairs for weekly Shabbos candle lighting
- Havdalah sets, candle holders, spice boxes, and cups for the close of Shabbos
- Menorahs, oil, candle, and electric styles for lighting each night of Chanukah
- All candlesticks, the complete candlestick and candelabra collection in every style
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Shabbos candles need to burn?
Shabbos candles should burn for at least the duration of the Friday night meal to fulfill the purpose of the mitzvah, which is to provide light and honor for the Shabbos table. Standard Shabbos candles in the 4-hour and 5-hour burn lengths cover this requirement for most households.
Why does a Havdalah candle need multiple wicks?
The bracha over the Havdalah candle references the lights of fire in the plural, and the poskim generally require a multi-wicked candle for this reason, since a single-wick candle does not produce the plural flame the blessing describes. Braided or twisted Havdalah candles with multiple wicks fulfill this requirement.
How many Chanukah candles do I need for eight nights?
The minimum number of candles needed for one menorah over eight nights is 44, including one shamash per night. A 45-count box covers this exactly with one spare. Households lighting multiple menorahs multiply accordingly. Premium boxes in 45-count are sized to cover exactly one menorah for the full holiday.
What are beeswax Chanukah candles and why use them?
Beeswax candles are made from natural beeswax rather than paraffin, burning more cleanly and producing less dripping than standard candles. The DIY Beeswax Colorbox provides sheets that children can roll into their own Chanukah candles, making pre-holiday preparation into a meaningful hands-on family activity.
Can Shabbos candles be used for Chanukah lighting?
Halachically, standard Shabbos candles can be used in a menorah as long as they burn for the required minimum of 30 minutes after nightfall. However, dedicated Chanukah candles in the correct size for a specific menorah are the preferred and most practical choice for the eight nights of lighting.
Is a travel candle set a good gift?
Yes, particularly for a family that travels frequently, a young person going to overnight camp, or anyone who regularly spends Shabbos away from home. A compact travel Hadlakas Neiros set is a practical and genuinely appreciated practical gift for these situations.