Judaica in Art – The Origin of Wax Candles for Shabbat

Have you ever wondered about the origin of using wax candles for Shabbat observance? We don’t give it much thought and simply get a box of candles from our neighborhood store. It wasn’t always that easy. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating history of the wax candle.

The Ancient Roots of Lighting Lights for Shabbat

The practice of lighting lights to usher in the Shabbat goes back to ancient times. The origins of this tradition are rooted in the biblical commandment to remember and observe the Sabbath day. Having lights in the home honors and sanctifies the Sabbath, and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere to welcome this sacred day.

In the timeline of history, candles arrived late on the scene. So before there were candles, people used containers filled with oil and a wick. The wick was typically made out of spun fiber like cotton, or from other plant material like pine needles.

The Origin of the Wax Candle

Historians estimate that the Egyptians began manufacturing candles about 3000 BCE. Using rice paper as wicks, the Chinese and Japanese were engaging in the same practice. The Japanese made wax from nuts, while the Chinese used insect wax. The countries of the West made candles from animal fat.

During the Middle Ages, beeswax candles appeared in Europe. Although expensive, the scent of a burning beeswax candle was preferable to the malodorous smell of candles made of other materials.

The clean burning beeswax candle made it a perfect choice for the Shabbat lights. Because it was so popular among the Jews, local governments found a way to fill their coffers by placing an exorbitant tax on the purchase of candles. This ‘candle tax’ was an extreme hardship on the Jewish communities in Europe and Russia, and persisted into the 1800s.

The Wax Candle of Today

The origin of the wax candle of today began in the 19th century. Several developments occurred close together that made candles affordable and manufacturing easier. Mechanized molded candle production started in the middle of the 1800s. Paraffin wax was soon employed as the preferred candle making material.

Even today, making the simple wax candle isn’t so simple. Candle manufacturers are always looking for ways to improve producing wax candles, such as using wax from soy beans.

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