Modern Shabbat Candlesticks: The Light That Starts It All
Before the wine is poured or the challah is uncovered, there's the light, rising from a pair of Shabbat candlesticks. A familiar Friday-evening gesture, repeated for generations, with a little room for your own taste.
Concrete against a linen tablecloth. Glass catching the last of the daylight. A touch of color beside your everyday dishes. Small choices, but they're the ones that make a table feel like yours.
At SURI, we design and curate Shabbat candle holders with the whole week in mind. Our modern Shabbat candlesticks belong on the Friday-night table, but look just as comfortable on a sideboard come Sunday.
How to Choose the Right Pair
Start with material, because it sets the mood before anything is lit. Glass plays with the flame and keeps things light. Concrete is heavier and steadier, with a matte, architectural feel. Terrazzo sits in between, with flecks of color set into stone. Hand-painted enamel and colorful handmade pieces bring personality to a neutral table.
Then height, which decides how the table reads from across the room. Tall candlesticks add a sense of occasion and lift the flame above platters and serving dishes. Low designs feel relaxed, fit smaller tables and windowsills, and sit neatly on a tray. If you're unsure, picture where the pair will stand between Fridays, not just where it will be lit.
Finally, check the candle. Some Jewish candlesticks take standard tapers. Others are made for tealights or the short Shabbat candles sold at Judaica stores. The product page lists the candle type and diameter, so you can stock up on the right size before your first Friday.
Completing the Shabbat Table
Once you've found your pair, give it a place to land. A decor tray protects the tablecloth from wax, frames the candles, and turns the lighting spot into a small, deliberate corner of the table. Leave a little breathing room around the base. A crowded tray looks like an afterthought.
If you'd like everything to match, a Shabbat candle holder set pairs candlesticks with a coordinated tray, so the work is done for you. Sets also make an easy gift, since there's nothing left to decide.
From there, build out the rest of the table with a Kiddush cup and a challah cover. Our modern Shabbat candle holders sit comfortably beside both, whatever your style. We like a table that looks collected, not bought in one go. Matching is optional.
Shabbat Candlesticks FAQ
When do you light Shabbat candles?
Before sunset on Friday, commonly 18 minutes beforehand. The time changes with your location and the season, and community customs vary.
How many Shabbat candles should you light?
The minimum is one candle; two is the widespread custom. The pair represents zachor and shamor: remembering and observing Shabbat. Some families add a candle for each child. Your family or community custom is your guide.
What is the blessing over Shabbat candles?
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
The blessing thanks God for the commandment to light Shabbat candles. Some traditions add "kodesh" at the end.
Glass, concrete or colorful handmade – how do I choose?
Trust your eye; it's usually right. Glass Shabbat candlesticks catch and reflect the light. Concrete candle holders bring weight and texture. Color adds a point of interest. Echo something already in the room, or bring in a little welcome contrast.
Are Shabbat candlesticks a good wedding gift?
They're one of the few gifts a couple will use every single week. A pair chosen with the couple's taste in mind can become part of their home and their weekly rituals for years to come.
What size candles fit these candlesticks?
It depends on the design. Check the recommended candle type and diameter on the product page, or contact SURI for help finding the right fit.
Where can I buy modern Shabbat candlesticks?
Explore SURI's collection online. Our Sabbath candlesticks bring concrete, glass and colorful handmade designs to the table, and you can filter by material, color, style and candle type.
Find the pair you'll still love after years of Fridays. Explore SURI's Shabbat candle holders.
