To Remember & Observe: Sabbath in a Jewish Home

We must begin by remembering. If you journey into a contemporary Jewish home prepared for Sabbath, you will likely encounter two candles lit by (more often than not) the woman of the home. On Friday evening, she waves the flames from the kiddush candles — setting the mood for restful intimacy — toward her face to symbolize the Sabbath entering her home. One tradition holds that these candles symbolize a room set for lovemaking.

But why two candles? They represent the two lists of commandments, one commanding us “to remember” (Exod. 20:8) and the second “to observe” (Duet.5:12) the…