The Sages ordained that candles be lit in the home to usher in Shabbat. This practice has beautiful symbolic meaning. In the dark, people cannot find what they are looking for. They bump into and trip over things until they are left with the feeling that everything they own is against them. But if they light Shabbat candles, peace comes to the home. They see everything is in its place and ready to be used. They can then enjoy Shabbat and the Friday night meal. Similarly, if we look at the world in the usual fashion, it seems to be full of unresolvable feuding and fighting. Each side thinks that as soon as it manages to destroy the other, it will achieve peace. This leads to never-ending strife. However, once people have faith, the divine light is revealed and chases away the darkness. They become aware that all the seeming differences are actually complementary, and there is an invisible hand guiding the world in the direction of perfection. Out of all the pain and suffering, salvation and comfort arise. Thus, the Shabbat candles, which increase light and usher peace into the home, symbolize the improvement of the world attained through the light of faith and Torah. In this way, observing Shabbat advances humanity and the world towards ultimate perfection and redemption.
