What is blessing for candles shabbat?

The blessing recited when lighting Shabbat candles is: "Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat." This is recited by the woman (or any household member) after lighting the candles, typically while waving hands over the flames and covering the eyes.

Key Takeaways

The blessing is recited after lighting the candles, not before, because once you say the blessing you have accepted Shabbat and can no longer kindle fire.
The candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset (the exact time varies by location and custom).
The minimum requirement is two candles, representing the two Torah commands: Zachor (remember) and Shamor (guard/observe) the Sabbath.
Many women add personal prayers silently after the blessing while their eyes are still covered — this is considered an especially auspicious time for prayer.
The mitzvah is traditionally performed by women, but if no woman is present, men are obligated to light as well.

The Full Blessing

Hebrew:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת

Transliteration:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Translation:

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath light."

The Torah Basis for Shabbat Candles

The mitzvah of Shabbat candles is rooted in the Torah's command to honor the Sabbath. The Fourth Commandment states:

"זָכוֹר אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ" — "Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it." [Exodus 20:8]

The Talmud [Shabbat 25b] derives from this verse that oneg Shabbat (Sabbath delight) requires light in the home — for there is no true delight without the ability to see and enjoy one's surroundings.

Rambam (Maimonides) rules that Shabbat candles are an obligation (chovat ha-bayit — an obligation of the household), not merely a custom [Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Shabbat 5:1].

Why the Blessing Comes After Lighting

This is a unique feature of the Shabbat candle blessing. Normally, blessings on mitzvot are recited before performing the act. However:

Reciting the blessing accepts Shabbat, after which kindling fire is forbidden.
Therefore, one lights first, then covers the eyes (as if not yet seeing the lit candles), recites the blessing, and then uncovers the eyes — symbolically "seeing" the Shabbat light for the first time after the blessing.

This ruling is found in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 263:5 and is the accepted Ashkenazic practice.

Sephardic women follow a different custom: they recite the blessing before lighting, in line with the general rule, and their acceptance of Shabbat is considered separate from the blessing itself [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 263:10, Ben Ish Chai].

Number of Candles

The basic requirement is two candles — corresponding to "Zachor" (זָכוֹר, remember) in Exodus 20:8 and "Shamor" (שָׁמוֹר, observe) in Deuteronomy 5:12 [Shabbat 23b].
Many women light one candle per family member (a widespread Ashkenazic custom).
Some light seven candles (corresponding to the seven days of the week) or ten (corresponding to the Ten Commandments).

For personal guidance on your specific custom and practice, consult your local rabbi or posek.