Erev Shabbat - Lighting of the Shabbat Candles:

Friday evenings always include the tradition of lighting the Shabbat candles.  This privilege is reserved for a woman, since it is a woman who brings life into the world.  The lighting of the candles is symbolic of the ushering in of the Shabbat.  There are many thoughts that represent the lighting of the two candles.  One is to help us to "remember" (shmor) and "observe" (vzachor). (Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 5:12).  With Lev HaShem being a Messianic Jewish synagogue, the lights represent Yeshua, who said, "I am the Light of the World" and he also commanded us to be a light unto the world.  The candles are lit 18 minutes before sundown.  In Hebrew, the number 18 corresponds to the Hebrew word chai  - life and thus we enter into the life that the Shabbat brings and also including the truth that Yeshua is L-rd of the Shabbat.  During the fall and winter months, our services begin after sundown.  One candle is lit at the appropriate time, and then during the service, that light is transferred to the other two candles.  The traditional and Messianic Jewish blessings are then chanted as the woman invites the light of the Shabbat into her life with her hands.