Ben Carter
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, during which Jews usually eat a final pre-fast meal and then light candles at home before going to the synagogue. The candle, known as a ner neshama (soul light), should burn for the entire 25 hours of Yom Kippur and is lit at home. The blessing, found in any edition of the High Holiday prayer book, is: Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to light the (Shabbat and) Yom Kippur candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who lights the candles | All women and girls, or if there is no woman in the house, the head of the household |
| When to light the candles | At least 18 minutes before sunset |
| 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 light the (Shabbat and) Yom Kippur candles" |
| Number of candles | Two, but the minimum is one |
| Candle type | Yizkor, Havdala, Yahrtzeit, or 24-hour candle |
| Where to light the candles | In the room one sleeps in, or in the synagogue |
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What You'll Learn
Women and girls light candles at least 18 minutes before sunset
Women and girls play a key role in the candle-lighting ceremony that precedes Yom Kippur. They are responsible for lighting the candles, which marks the beginning of the sacred day. This custom is observed in households with women, where they light the candles, or in their absence, the head of the household takes on this duty.
The timing of candle lighting is significant, as it is done at least 18 minutes before sunset. This practice is rooted in the interpretation of the Torah's language concerning Yom Kippur by the sages of the Talmud. They understood that there is a mitzvah, or commandment, to extend the duration of the Shabbat, both before and after it officially commences and concludes. This extension is known as "tosefet Shabbat," which translates to "adding time on to Shabbat."
The act of lighting the candles 18 minutes before sunset is a way to ensure that the Shabbat is welcomed with anticipation and that its conclusion is respectfully marked. This custom is not limited to Yom Kippur but is also observed during Shabbat, where women light the candles to usher in the Shabbat for themselves, refraining from forbidden work until its conclusion. This early candle lighting serves as a safeguard against accidentally continuing work after Shabbat begins at sunset.
The number of candles lit can vary, as the common custom is for married women to light two candles, while lighting a single flame fulfils the minimum requirement. The lighting of candles is accompanied by blessings, such as "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."
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A Yizkor candle is lit to remember loved ones who have passed away
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a time when Jews come together to reflect and remember loved ones who have passed away. A key part of this remembrance is the lighting of a Yizkor candle.
The Yizkor candle is lit just before sunset, marking the start of the 25-hour fast of Yom Kippur. The candle is intended to burn throughout the entire 25-hour period. It is a special candle, lit specifically to remember those who have died. It is different from the Shiva candle, which mourners are given after a loved one passes away and is lit for seven days.
The Yizkor candle is lit before the formal Yom Kippur candles and is a time for reflection and sharing memories of the deceased. The candle symbolises the soul, representing the belief that the memory of the deceased still lives on. This is supported by a passage in Proverbs, where it is written, "A flame of G‑d is the soul of man".
The lighting of the Yizkor candle is a way to honour the memory of loved ones and keep their legacy alive. It is a solemn and meaningful tradition, observed annually on Yom Kippur, as well as on three other significant Jewish holidays: Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot.
In addition to the Yizkor candle, there are other candles lit during Yom Kippur. These include the regular Yom Tov candles, lit before any Shabbos or Chag, and the "ner bari", a candle for the living, lit by married males. There are also the candles lit in the synagogue, out of respect for the day, and the post-Yom Kippur "ner sheshavas" candle, which is a candle that has been burning since before Yom Kippur.
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A 24-hour candle is lit before Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a sacred day for Jews, marked by fasting and prayers. An integral part of the rituals is the lighting of candles, which holds a special significance.
The 24-hour candle is lit in addition to the regular Yom Kippur candles. These regular candles are lit by all women and girls, or the head of the household if there are no women present, at least 18 minutes before sunset. The candle-lighting is accompanied by blessings and prayers. The candles are lit before the Yom Kippur meal and before heading to the synagogue for Kol Nidre, a prayer offered before sunset.
The number of candles lit varies, with some sources suggesting two candles, similar to those lit on Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat, while others state that there is no fixed number, and multiple candles are lit in the synagogue. The 24-hour candle, however, is unique and is lit separately to be used for the post-Yom Kippur havdala.
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The candle for havdala of Yom Kippur can be a candle lit before as a yahrtzeit candle
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement. Jews usually eat a final pre-fast meal and then light candles at home before heading to the synagogue for Kol Nidre, a prayer that is said in the last moments before sunset. It is customary to light two holiday candles, just like Shabbat.
The idea behind the post-Yom Kippur havdala candle is different from that of the post-Shabbat candle. The point of the post-Shabbat candle is to commemorate how fire was created anew. Therefore, fire created on Saturday night can be used. The point of the post-Yom Kippur candle is that until now, fire was forbidden, and now it is permitted. Thus, a yahrtzeit candle can be used for the post-Yom Kippur havdala, as it was lit before the holiday.
The lighting of a yahrtzeit candle is a widely practiced custom, where mourners light a candle that burns for 24 hours on the anniversary of the death on the Hebrew calendar. The candle is also lit before the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony (Yom HaShoah). In all cases, the candle is lit before sundown, as days in Judaism begin at sundown.
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The blessing for candle lighting
> בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל (שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל) יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים · Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl [if Yom Kippur is on Shabbat add: shah-bahtveh-shehl] yohm hah-kee-poo-rim. 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.
There is also a blessing for a Yizkor candle, which is lit just before the formal Yom Kippur candles by those remembering loved ones no longer living. There is no blessing recited for this candle, but many prayer books include devotional material to recite before lighting it.
In addition, a 24-hour candle is lit before Yom Kippur. This is known as a 'ner neshama' (soul light) in Hebrew. It is lit at home and should burn throughout Yom Kippur.
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Frequently asked questions
All women and girls light candles before sunset to usher in Yom Kippur. In households where there are no women, a man should light candles.
It is traditional to light two holiday candles, just like Shabbat. Many people who have lost a parent first light a yahrzheit candle in that parent’s memory. The two holiday candles burn down in a few hours, but the yahrzheit candle should burn through the entire 25 hours of the holiday.
There is no blessing per se, but you can say, "Harei ani madlik ner ze leliuyi nishmas (name of person) bas/ben (name of father)".
