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Shabbat candles should be lit in the room where the Friday night meal will be held. The blessing recited is “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded us to light Shabbat candles.” Most women first light the candles, then cover their eyes and recite the blessing. Only after the blessing do they bask in the light of the candles. Some make the blessing first and then light the candles.
Technically, lighting one candle is enough, because it fulfills the purpose of providing light in the home. However, the custom is to light two candles, one corresponding to Zakhor and one to Shamor. Some women light one candle for each member of the household. In addition to the candles, an electric light should be left on all night wherever it is necessary to avoid tripping if someone gets up during the night. In fact, the mitzva of candle lighting itself can be fulfilled by turning on an electric light, if one is spending Shabbat where there are no candles or where candles may not be lit.
Men who are single, divorced, or widowed must light Shabbat candles in their home. When they are guests for Shabbat though, it is customary for them to rely on their hostess's lighting. However, it is customary for women to light candles even when they are guests for Shabbat, since women are enamored of this mitzva. In such a case, it is best if the woman of the house lights her candles where she normally does, while the guest lights in a different room so her candles contribute light. For example, if the woman of the house normally lights in the living room, the guest should light in the kitchen.
