The lighting of candles as sunset approaches on Friday is the traditional sign of the onset of Shabbat. After lighting the candles, it is customary to cover the eyes and recite a blessing. The Shabbat candle-lighting blessing can be found here, as can other key Shabbat blessings.

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How to Say the Blessing Over Shabbat Candles
This blessing is recited after the lighting of candles on Friday night.
The Seven Year Switch
Shmita, the Jewish sabbatical year, teaches that what we consider normal is just a construct -- and invites us to imagine alternatives.