Brooke Martin
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is also known as the Day of Atonement. It is customary to light candles on the eve of Yom Kippur, also known as Erev Yom Kippur. In the past, it was customary for all males to light a candle in Shul, but today, only married men do so. The candle, known as a ner neshama or soul light in Hebrew, is lit at home and should burn throughout Yom Kippur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candles lit on Erev Yom Kippur | In Shul, it was customary for every male to light a candle. Today, the custom is only for married men to light a candle. |
| Candles lit at home on Yom Kippur | All women and girls light candles at least 18 minutes before sunset. |
| Yizkor candle | A special candle lit just before the formal Yom Kippur candles for those remembering loved ones no longer living. |
| Yahrtzeit candle | Lit before Yom Kippur holiday candles for those remembering their parents. |
| Havdalah candle | A candle with at least two adjacent or intertwined wicks. |
| Post-Yom Kippur candle | A 24-hour candle lit before Yom Kippur. |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles are lit at home by women and girls, or the head of the household if there is no woman present
- The candle is lit before sunset and is known as a ner neshama or soul light
- A special Yizkor candle is lit before the formal Yom Kippur candles by those remembering deceased loved ones
- A 24-hour candle is lit before Yom Kippur, which is then used for Havdalah
- In the past, it was customary for all men to light a candle in Shul, but now only married men do so
Candles are lit at home by women and girls, or the head of the household if there is no woman present
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism, and it is customary to light candles on this day. The candle, known as a ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew, is lit at home and should burn throughout Yom Kippur.
Candle lighting is a significant ritual in Jewish culture and is often associated with blessings and prayers. On Yom Kippur, the candle-lighting custom is observed by women and girls. If there is no woman present in the household, then the head of the household will light the candles. This tradition ensures that every home has a candle lit for Yom Kippur, involving all family members in the sacred ritual.
The lighting of the candles is accompanied by a blessing:
> "Blessed are You, L‑rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle the light of [if Yom Kippur is on Shabbat add: Shabbat and] Yom Kippur."
The candle is lit at least 18 minutes before sunset on Yom Kippur. This timing is crucial, as it ensures that the candle is burning when the holy day officially begins. The candle is lit before the commencement of the holiday when Yizkor, the remembrance prayer, is recited.
In addition to the candle lit at home, there is also a custom for married men to light a candle in the synagogue (Shul) on Erev Yom Kippur. This candle is known as the Gezunt Licht. The lighting of candles in the synagogue is a longstanding tradition, previously including all males, but now restricted to married men.
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The candle is lit before sunset and is known as a ner neshama or soul light
Yom Kippur is preceded by Erev Yom Kippur, which means "the eve of Yom Kippur" in Hebrew. It is customary to light candles on Yom Kippur, and these are known as "soul lights" or "ner neshama" in Hebrew. The candle is lit at home, before sunset, by all women and girls (or, if there is no woman in the house, the head of the household). The candle should burn for the entire 24 hours of Yom Kippur.
The custom of lighting a candle on Yom Kippur is rooted in the idea of memorializing the dead. The candle is lit in honour of one's deceased parents, and the flame is seen as a symbol of the human soul. This custom is also observed on other holidays, such as Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), where candles are lit in remembrance of those who perished in the Holocaust.
The lighting of the candle is accompanied by a blessing: "Blessed are You, L‑rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle the light of [if Yom Kippur is on Shabbat add: Shabbat and] Yom Kippur".
The candle is also referred to as a "yahrtzeit candle" or "memorial candle" in Hebrew. The word "yahrtzeit" means "anniversary" or "anniversary of a person's death" in Yiddish. The custom of lighting this candle comes from the Book of Proverbs 20:27, which states, "The soul of man is a candle of the Lord."
The lighting of the candle before sunset on Erev Yom Kippur is a significant part of the Jewish tradition, honouring the memory of the deceased and symbolizing the sanctity of the human soul.
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A special Yizkor candle is lit before the formal Yom Kippur candles by those remembering deceased loved ones
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday during which it is customary to light many candles. This is because, unlike other holidays, Yom Kippur cannot be honoured with food and drink, so candles are lit instead.
On the eve of Yom Kippur, women and girls light candles in honour of the holiday. This is done at least 18 minutes before sunset and is followed by a blessing. In households without women, a man should light the candles.
Another candle is lit after Yom Kippur ends. This is a 24-hour candle that is lit before the beginning of Yom Kippur and is not adjusted during the holiday. It is known as a 'post-Yom Kippur candle'. This candle is lit to symbolise that fire was forbidden during the holiday but is now permitted.
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A 24-hour candle is lit before Yom Kippur, which is then used for Havdalah
The custom is to light the candle each year as Yizkor, the remembrance prayer, is also recited on Yom Kippur. The candle is lit before the holiday candles, and it is placed at home or near the grave of the deceased.
The candle used for Havdalah, a Jewish religious ceremony marking the end of Shabbat, is typically a special braided candle with multiple wicks. However, when performing Havdalah after Yom Kippur, a yahrtzeit candle is often used, as it was lit before the holiday. This is because, on Yom Kippur, cooking and adjusting the size of a flame are forbidden, so the Havdalah candle must have been lit before the holiday began.
The blessing recited over the candle during Havdalah after Yom Kippur is different from that of a typical post-Shabbat Havdalah. The blessing acknowledges that fire was forbidden during Yom Kippur and is now permitted. The candle is lit for light and not for respect or memory, as this would be considered a different purpose.
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In the past, it was customary for all men to light a candle in Shul, but now only married men do so
Lighting candles on Yom Kippur is a sacred tradition in Judaism. The candle, known as the ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew, is lit at home and should burn throughout the day. This candle is lit before Yom Kippur and is not adjusted during the day as cooking and adjusting the size of a flame are forbidden on this day.
The custom of lighting candles on Yom Kippur extends to the Shabbat meal, where the room is illuminated by candles to create a pleasant atmosphere. The mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles applies equally to men and women, as per Jewish law. However, the woman of the house typically lights the candles for the entire household. This custom is deeply rooted, with the Mishnah (around 200 C.E.) associating women with three mitzvot (ritual obligations), including lighting Shabbat candles.
In the past, it was customary for all men to light a candle in Shul. However, this tradition has evolved, and now only married men participate in this ritual. If there is no woman in the house, the responsibility of lighting the candles falls to the head of the household, who is usually a man. This practice ensures that the mitzvah of lighting candles is fulfilled.
The distinction between women and men in candle-lighting rituals is also observed in the way they light the candles. Women typically light the candles first, cover the flames with their hands, recite the blessing, and then uncover the flames. This sequence is because candle lighting is a special obligation placed upon women and signifies their acceptance of Shabbat. On the other hand, men do not customarily accept Shabbat through candle lighting. They recite the blessing before lighting the candles, aligning with the general sequence of blessings and mitzvot.
The evolution of the candle-lighting tradition in Shul, from all men to only married men, reflects the dynamic nature of religious customs. While the specifics of the rituals may change over time, the underlying significance of the Yom Kippur candle as a symbol of remembrance and atonement remains central to the Jewish faith.
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Frequently asked questions
Erev Yom Kippur is the night of Yom Kippur.
There is no Mitzvah to light candles on Erev Yom Kippur. However, in the past, it was customary for every male, young and old, to light a candle in Shul. Today, the custom is only for married men to light a candle in Shul.
On Erev Yom Kippur, a married couple must leave a light on in their bedroom. This applies to all communities, regardless of whether they are accustomed to lighting Yom Kippur candles.
All women and girls (or, if there is no woman in the house, the head of the household) light candles at least 18 minutes before sunset and recite blessings. A special Yizkor candle is lit just prior to the formal Yom Kippur candles by those who will be remembering loved ones no longer living.
The candle, known in Hebrew as a ner neshama (soul light), represents the idea that a person's soul and essence are like a candle in the world. It is lit to honour and remember the deceased.
