Candle

Candle lighting is woven throughout Jewish practice—Shabbat candles are lit Friday evening, Hanukkah candles burn for eight nights, memorial (yahrzeit) candles honor the deceased, and havdalah candles mark Shabbat's end. The Proverb 'Ner Adonai nishmat adam' (The candle of God is the soul of a person) connects physical light to spiritual illumination. Candle lighting is traditionally performed by women.