It's one of those customs that's so familiar, so deeply woven into the fabric of Jewish home life, that we might not always stop to ask why. But the reasons, as you might guess, are rich and layered, reflecting different aspects of Jewish thought and spirituality.
One explanation, a somewhat somber one, links the candle lighting to the story of Eve. The idea is that by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, Eve "extinguished the primordial light" and brought darkness into the world. According to this view, women light the Sabbath candles as an act of repentance, to rekindle that light and make amends for her transgression. (See "The Light of the First Day," p. 83, in Schwartz, for more on the myth of the withdrawn primordial light.)
But that's not the only perspective. Others offer much more uplifting interpretations. The Tkhine imrei Shifreh, a collection of devotional prayers written in Yiddish specifically for women, provides some beautiful alternatives. (We should note here that while there's some debate about the authorship of certain tkhines, this collection is attributed to a woman, Shifrah Segal of Brody.)
This collection offers several positive reasons for the ritual. One is that on Shabbat, we are gifted with an additional soul, a neshamah yeterah. It's like an extra spark of the divine, enhancing our experience of the day. Lighting two candles, then, could be seen as a way to honor both our everyday soul and this special Sabbath soul. (For more on the myth of the second soul, see "The Second Soul," p. 310 in Schwartz.)
Another explanation found in the Tkhine imrei Shifreh is that Shabbat is celebrated both "above and below," in heaven and on earth. Just as the High Priest kindled seven lamps in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle (as described in Numbers 8:2), awakening a corresponding radiance in the celestial realms, so too does the kindling of the Sabbath candles stir spiritual energies in the upper world.
Perhaps the most evocative explanation is that the two candles are kindled to honor the presence of the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, often described in feminine terms. She is the Sabbath Queen, who, according to tradition, comes to dwell among us during Shabbat. By lighting the candles, we create a welcoming space for her presence in our homes and in our lives.
It's interesting to note the tension between the rabbinic explanation – framing the candle lighting as repentance for Eve's sin – and the perspectives offered in the tkhines. The tkhines, written in the vernacular language of Yiddish because women often didn't have access to Hebrew education, often emphasize positive, empowering reasons for the ritual, focusing on honoring the soul, awakening joy, and welcoming the Shekhinah.
So, the next time you see the Sabbath candles being lit, remember the layers of meaning they hold. Whether you see them as an act of repentance, a celebration of the dual souls of Shabbat, a connection to the heavenly realms, or a welcoming of the Shekhinah, they are a powerful symbol of light, peace, and the sacred time that Shabbat represents. And isn't it wonderful that a single ritual can contain so many different, yet equally valid, interpretations?