#225 Lighting more than 2 candles for Shabbos

Remoh (O.H. 263,1) posits that one may add three or four lights. Mishna Berura (ibid.) mentions that some light seven candles, symbolizing the days of the week and some add ten, representing the Ten Commandments. Likutey Mahariach explains the widespread custom to aggregate a light for each newborn child, as an allusion to the Talmudic aphorism; "One who is habitual in (kindling the Shabbat or Chanukah) lights, will merit sons who are Torah scholars (Shabbat 23b). Nishmas Ysroel (2,33) mentions the practice of adding lights for deceased parents too. Maase Rav (112) relates that the Gaon of Vilnah would light many, many olive oil lights, until the doctors restrained him. Hechal Avodas Hashem (5,46) in B’nay Ysoschor’s name, recommends thirty-six lights. There are other Kabbalistic traditions that differ in the numbers.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit"a opinion is that one should maintain his own family or community traditions.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a