Shabbat Candlesticks and Kiddush Cup

Summary. Shabbat at home is opened with the lighting of candles and the recitation of kiddush over wine. The candlesticks are typically a pair (or one for each member of the family) of silver, brass, or other metal. The kiddush cup is a single cup of silver, ceramic, or fine glass, large enough to hold a revi’it (about 3.3 fluid ounces). These two pieces of judaica are the gateway to the most distinctive practice of Jewish life. They should be beautiful — hiddur mitzvah (the beautification of a mitzvah) is itself a value.

Candlesticks

Two candles are the standard for lighting; some families add one for each child. The candlesticks should hold the candles steady and not blow out. Silver is traditional; brass, bronze, ceramic, and even wood are acceptable. Many families inherit candlesticks from a grandmother or great-grandmother. For a New Jew without such inheritance, a beautiful pair from Israel (Yair Emanuel and Avner Agayof are well-known makers) makes an appropriate first purchase. The candles themselves are paraffin tea-lights or wax tapers; Manischewitz makes pre-portioned Shabbat candles widely available.

Kiddush Cup

A single cup, usually of silver, large enough to hold a revi’it (about 3.3 fluid ounces). The cup should be reserved for kiddush and not used for ordinary drinking. Many families have a small cup for the weekday hand-washing (netilat yadayim) and a larger one for Shabbat kiddush. A second smaller cup is sometimes used for havdalah (the closing of Shabbat). Many silver kiddush cups bear an engraved verse — borei pri hagafen (the closing of the blessing) or a verse from the kiddush itself.

Havdalah Set

Closing Shabbat on Saturday night requires three additional items: a havdalah candle (braided, with multiple wicks), a besamim (spice) holder, and the kiddush cup. The havdalah set is a separate purchase; many families combine the kiddush cup with the besamim holder in a single piece.

Hiddur Mitzvah

The principle of hiddur mitzvah — the beautification of a mitzvah (drawn from Shemot 15:2: zeh Eli v’anveihu, “this is my God and I will adorn Him”) — applies particularly to ritual objects. The Talmud (Shabbat 133b) teaches that one should pursue beautiful mitzvot — a beautiful sukkah, a beautiful etrog, a beautiful tallit. The same applies to candlesticks, kiddush cups, and other ritual judaica. Buy something you love; you will see it weekly for the rest of your life.

Where Denominations Diverge

Universal across all denominations. Some Orthodox communities (particularly Hasidic) have additional customs around the materials of candlesticks (silver preferred) and the proper preparation of wine for kiddush (mevushal — boiled — wine for some occasions). Reform and Conservative practice is essentially the same as Orthodox on these objects.

Sources

Torah: Shemot 20:8; 15:2 (hiddur).

Mishnah Shabbat 2; Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 23b, 133b.

Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 263 (candles), 271 (kiddush), 296 (havdalah).

What Are Shabbat Candles? — Chabad.org.

The Incense (Besamim) and Havdalah Candle — Chabad.org.

The Beautifcation of Mitzvot — Aish.

How to Light Shabbat Candles: A Beginner’s Guide — Exploring Judaism.

Further Reading

Blu Greenberg, How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household.

Anita Diamant, Living a Jewish Life.