Can I Use Tea Lights for Shabbat?

The short answer is….yes. There are no rules about what type of candles must be lit for Shabbat. There are different opinons as to how long they need to burn, with some saying they should burn at least until after you say the Motzi, others saying until the meal is over, and others until bedtime. You can see a discussion of this at https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/109244/is-there-a-minimum-amount-of-time-for-shabbat-candles-to-stay-lit.

 All our curated boxes include tea light candle holders, because traditionally-sized Shabbat tapers can be hard to find, whereas you can find tea lights almost anywhere. Take a look at our selection here: (https://www.jewjubox.ca/shop/our-boxes).

 A related question is, can I use LED candles for Shabbat?

 According to tradition, Shabbat candles should actually burn (after all, the blessing thanks God for commanding us to kindle Shabbat lights.) But there are many reasons this might not be possible: perhaps regulations prohibit it (as in a residence or hospital room), or they don’t have a chance of staying lit (for example, if you’re camping), or it’s simply not practical (do you want to risk tripping a sprinkler system in a hotel room?) In that case, LED candles are a good alternative. Some traditionalists suggest that these candles should be turned on without a blessing, but there is no consensus on this, especially since LED candles are a relatively recent innovation. 

All the tea lights we include in our sets are LED candles, because they are so safe and convenient. But if you choose to use wax tea light candles instead, please remember to never leave a burning flame unattended.