Lighting Shabbos candles is one of the most beautiful and central mitzvos in Jewish life, marking the transition from the week into Shabbos with light, warmth, and peace. At Eichlers, we carry candlesticks in silver, silver-plated, and a wide range of elegant designs, suited for everyday use, special occasions, and as meaningful gifts for a bas mitzvah, a kallah, or any woman building her own Shabbos table.
Lighting candles before Shabbos begins is a mitzvah traditionally performed by the woman of the house, marking the formal start of Shabbos with light and bringing a sense of shalom bayis, peace in the home, to the table. The minimum requirement is two candles, corresponding to the dual commands of zachor and shamor, remember and observe, though many women have the minhag of lighting an additional candle for each child in the family, with some adding one for each daughter specifically. Married women generally light their own candles once they have their own home, making a personal set of candlesticks one of the most meaningful items a kallah brings into her marriage.
Sterling silver candlesticks are the traditional and most widely chosen option for the Shabbos table, valued both for their halachic hiddur, beautifying the mitzvah, and for the way they age and develop character over decades of weekly use. A well-made pair of silver candlesticks is built to last for generations, often becoming a treasured family heirloom passed from mother to daughter. Sterling silver candlesticks range from classic, simple designs through ornately detailed pieces with filigree work, hammered finishes, or engraved patterns, giving every household the ability to find a style that fits their taste and budget.
Silver-plated candlesticks offer the elegant appearance of sterling silver at a more accessible price point, making them a popular choice for a first set, a starter home, or a gift where solid silver may not be within budget. Beyond silver and silver-plate, candlesticks are also available in brass, pewter, crystal, and other decorative finishes, giving households more design flexibility to match their table setting or home decor while still fulfilling the same mitzvah each week.
Candlesticks vary considerably in height, base width, and overall design, and the right choice often comes down to both personal taste and practical table space. Taller, more dramatic candlesticks make a striking centerpiece on a larger Shabbos table, while more compact designs suit smaller homes or apartments without overwhelming the table setting. Some families prefer a matched pair with a classic, timeless look that will suit any table for decades, while others are drawn to more contemporary or ornate designs that reflect their personal style.
A pair of Shabbos candlesticks is one of the most meaningful and traditional gifts a girl receives, whether at her bas mitzvah, when she begins or continues the family practice of lighting, or as a kallah setting up her first home. Unlike many gifts that fade in significance over time, candlesticks are used every single week for the rest of a woman's life, making them a gift with extraordinary lasting meaning. Many families choose to gift a more modest pair at bas mitzvah and a finer sterling silver set at marriage, while others prefer to give one meaningful, lasting set that grows with her from one milestone to the next.
Sterling silver candlesticks develop a natural patina over time, and many families appreciate the warmth this gives a piece used for generations. For a brighter, more polished look, silver polish formulated specifically for sterling silver should be used regularly, with care taken around any engraved details or filigree work where polish can collect. Wax drippings should be removed gently once fully cooled and hardened to avoid scratching the surface, and storing candlesticks in a soft cloth or felt bag between uses helps prevent tarnishing and surface scratches from other items.
Candlesticks are the centerpiece of a complete Shabbos table. Eichlers carries everything else you need to set it beautifully.
The minimum is two candles, representing zachor and shamor. Many women add an additional candle for each child, and some have the minhag of lighting specifically for each daughter. Follow your family's established minhag or ask your Rov.
Sterling silver offers greater hiddur and durability over generations of use, while silver-plated candlesticks provide a similar elegant look at a more accessible price. Both are fully appropriate for the mitzvah, and the choice often comes down to budget and how long the piece is meant to last.
A pair of candlesticks is one of the most traditional and meaningful bas mitzvah gifts, marking her entry into the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles. Many families choose a modest pair at bas mitzvah and a finer set later at marriage.
Use a silver polish formulated for sterling silver, applying gently and avoiding buildup around any engraved or filigree details. Many families also appreciate the natural patina that develops over years of use and polish less frequently as a result.
Taller candlesticks create a more dramatic centerpiece for a larger table, while shorter, more compact designs work well for smaller spaces. Consider your table size and existing decor when choosing the right scale.
Yes. Sterling silver candlesticks are specifically valued for their ability to last for generations, and many families treasure a set that has been passed from mother to daughter, carrying both sentimental and practical significance.