Shabbos Lamp and Shabbos Candles

The Shabbos lamp (which appears in Yerushaseinu and in color in the KAYJ choir CD), is the way Shabbos candles have been lit since the time of the Ge'onim.
Since the תקנה of lighting Shabbos candles is for שלום בית, and the time where it is most important is the se'udoh, therefore the place for the Shabbos candles is over the Shabbos table. And as far as lighting up the place, light that comes from the ceiling is always more useful than light that sits on the table, and the more light that the candles give - the more the תקנה is fulfilled, (and in addition - a candles sitting on the table are not as secure). For these reasons the Shabbos lamp was used, hanging from the ceiling over the table.
In addition to these points, the Shabbos lamp is lit with olive oil, which is an important hiddur.

Michael FRBSH

In the Shabbos lamps there were between 6 to 8 lights. Yet 7 was quite rare since it wasn't as esthetic (because it wasn't symmetric), and also for Halachic reasons (it's a problem to do a chandelier similar to the Menorah, and the Menorah had 7 lights). Usually the richer people had 8 lights. Many of them lit two candles also, this way they had two candles because of שמור and זכור (see Shulchan Oruch siman רס"ג se'if א), and 10 lights altogether because of the ten commandments (see Mishna Brurah se'if koton ו from the Shlo"h).
Those who didn't have a Shabbos lamp would light only two candles (for שמור and זכור).

Michael FRBSH

The Minhag of lighting a candle for everyone in the family is a late Chassidic Minhag and definitely was not the minhag in Ashkenaz.
In Ashkenaz the Shabbos Lamp was used, as described above, and one who didn't have a Shabbos Lamp lit 2 candles.
If someone forgets to light a candle - she has to light an additional candle form that Shabbos and on, for the rest of her life.

Michael FRBSH

Shabbos Lamps were made out of metal. (I would assume if you make them out of wood they could burn).

Very good Shabbos Lamps could be obtained in Lakewood or New York from someone by the name of Rothschield (for 150$). Please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

Michael FRBSH

Here is an update I got from R' Bloomenstiel:

I spoke with the fellow who is making them.

For future reference, these are the current details:

The person to contact is Yaakov Rothschild in Brooklyn. His number is 718-258-0600.

The current Price is $400. Also – they are not being made anymore. They have only a few still available. I got the impression that it as under a dozen.