Shabbat is the fourth of the 10 Commandments and repeated over and over again in the Torah, making it one of the most important elements of Judaism. In fact, Shabbat is so central to Jewish life that in common parlance the term shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observer) is synonymous with “religious Jew.” Jewish women and girls (or men, when there are no women present) light Shabbat candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon and on the eve of Jewish holidays, often in the dining room where the festive holiday meal will soon take place. Single girls and women light one candle, and married women light (at least) two candles.