History
The requirement to light Shabbat candles is of rabbinic origin. It is traditional to light two candles, but in some homes an additional candle is lit for each child. The lighting of Shabbat candles has a dual purpose: To "honor Shabbat" (כבוד שבת) and create shalom bayit or domestic peace (שלום בית).
In Yiddish, lighting the candles is known as "licht bentschen" or "licht tsinden."
Read more about this topic: Shabbat Candles
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