They stand for Zachor (in Exodus ch.20) and Shamor (in Deuteronomy ch.5), which are two commands about observing the Shabbat.
Shabbat candles symbolize the separation between the mundane weekdays and the holiness of Shabbat. Lighting the candles brings warmth and light into the home, signifies the beginning of the day of rest, and serves as a reminder to honor and observe the sanctity of Shabbat.
The menorah (lampstand) that was used in the Temple in Jerusalem had 7 oil lamps, fueled with olive oil. This construction of this lamp is detailed in Exodus 25:31–40. The Torah does not explain why 7 lamps, but it is easy to speculate that the 7-days of creation or the 7-day week are the reason. The 7-branched menorah is one of the oldest symbols of Judaism, far older than, for example, the star of David.
They're called Shabbat candles (Neirot Shabbat in Hebrew).
They prepare their children for Shabbat and light the Shabbat candles.
to honour the shabbat
The Shabbat is observed by all Jews, both men and women. However, it is the women who traditionally light the Shabbat-candles. See also the Related Links.Link: Why do women light the Shabbat candles?Link: Women and the lighting of the candles
They're called Shabbat candles (in English); neirot Shabbat (in Hebrew); or Shabbes Licht (in Yiddish).
The Shabbat is observed by all Jews, both men and women. However, it is the women who traditionally light the Shabbat-candles.See also:Women and the lighting of the candles
Candles used in Judaism usually don't have names, other than the names of the occasions they're used on, such as: Shabbat candles, used on Shabbat Havdalah candles, used on Havdalah Hanukkah candles, used on Hanukkah Yahrzeit candles, used for someone's Yahrzeit
No Orthodox or conservative Jews should put 13 candles in their window. The most candles they will put in the window is 11: Eight for chanukkah, 1 shamash and 2 shabbat candles. But Shabbat candles are not normally placed in windows. In some orthodox homes young girls light candles to copy their mothers (who are also lighting candles). This might explain why there could be 13 or more; but for Jewish purposes only 11 are necessary. The rest are extra.
At a shabbat service at your home or at a synogauge you may light the shabbat candles and say the shabbat blessings. Also some people follow it with hallah and/or a kiddush.
Showering, cooking, and setting up the candles.
Traditionally, the Shabbat candles are lit by women. If the woman is unmarried, she will usually light one candle, if she's married two and often one for each child.
You don't light more candles than usual. In the blessing over the candles, the Shabbat ismentioned first.In the event that a more frequent occasion coincides with one less frequent, the morefrequent is acknowledged and blessed first.