Brooke Martin
The tradition of lighting candles is an integral part of Jewish customs and traditions. Candles are lit to welcome Shabbat, during Jewish holidays, and as Yahrzeit memorial candles to honour the dead. The Yahrzeit candle is lit to burn for a full 24 hours, starting at sundown on the anniversary of the death of a loved one. However, it is considered improper to blow out a Yahrzeit candle, as it is believed to be a symbol of the soul. Instead, it is recommended to let the candle burn out on its own or extinguish it by hand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To remember a loved one, to honour God, or to mark a transition to a sacred time |
| Duration | 24 hours, seven days, or the entire year following the passing |
| How to extinguish | Some sources say it is improper to blow out the candle with one's breath, while others say it is acceptable to do so |
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What You'll Learn
- In Judaism, yizharit candles are lit to honour the dead
- The candle is believed to represent the soul of the departed
- Blowing out a yizharit candle is discouraged in some Jewish traditions
- The candle should be left to burn out on its own or be extinguished with wine
- Yizharit candles are lit during Shiva, the seven days of mourning, and on the yahrtzeit, the death anniversary
In Judaism, yizharit candles are lit to honour the dead
In Judaism, yizharit (or yahrzeit) candles are lit to honour the dead. The tradition is believed to date back to the Mishnaic period, approximately 2,000 years ago. The Mishnah states that one cannot use the "fire of the dead" for the havdalah blessing on Saturday night because it was lit not for the living, but to honour the dead. The lighting of a candle is also said to be based on the soul-lamp comparison, where the candle serves as a remembrance of the departed soul.
The yahrzeit candle is lit at sundown on the anniversary of the death of a loved one and is meant to burn for a full 24 hours. It is widely accepted to have a candle burning for the duration of Shiva (the seven days of mourning) and every year on the yahrtzeit. The candle is meant to replenish the light left behind by the departed soul. The Yiddish word "Yahrzeit" means anniversary (or time of year) and originates from the German words "Jahr" (year) and "Zeit" (time).
There are differing opinions on whether it is acceptable to blow out a yahrzeit candle. Some believe that you should not blow out the candle, but rather put it in a safe place and let it burn out on its own. This is because the candle is seen as a representation of the soul, and blowing it out with one's breath is considered ironic, using one 'soul' to extinguish another. Others maintain that there is no halachic reason not to blow out the candle, and that it is merely a candle. If one needs to extinguish a yahrzeit candle for safety reasons, it is recommended to put a lid on the jar or use a glass "chimney" to deprive the flame of oxygen.
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The candle is believed to represent the soul of the departed
The tradition of lighting candles is deeply rooted in Jewish customs and traditions. The yizharit candle, also known as the yahrzeit candle, is lit to commemorate the anniversary of the death of a loved one. The candle is believed to represent the soul of the departed and serves as a symbol of remembrance and connection to the divine.
The act of lighting a candle in memory of someone who has passed away is a way to honour their life and legacy. The light of the candle symbolises the divine soul, illuminating the darkness left behind when a soul departs from this world. The physical light of the candle represents the spiritual light of the soul, bringing joy and comfort to those who are mourning.
According to Jewish tradition, the yahrzeit candle should be lit for a full 24 hours, starting at sundown on the anniversary of the death. It is considered important to let the candle burn out on its own rather than blowing it out. This is because the candle is seen as a representation of the soul, and blowing it out is likened to extinguishing a soul. In some cases, people may use a lid or put the candle in a safe place to let it burn out naturally.
Additionally, the Torah and Kabbalistic tradition associate the soul with the breath of Hashem, further emphasising the connection between the candle's flame and the soul. Blowing out a candle is considered ironic, as it uses one "soul" to extinguish another. Some people believe in extinguishing candles by hand or using alternative methods like dipping the candle into wine to avoid pronouncing the name of a holy angel.
The yahrzeit candle is not just a symbol of remembrance but also a way to honour God in the merit of the departed. Through the lighting of the candle, God promises to forgive and watch over their souls. This ritual is observed during four annual Jewish holidays: Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot.
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Blowing out a yizharit candle is discouraged in some Jewish traditions
The yizharit candle, also known as the yahrzeit candle, is a memorial candle lit in Jewish tradition. It is lit to honour the anniversary of the death of a loved one and is believed to represent the soul of the departed. The candle is meant to burn for a full 24 hours from sunset on the day of the anniversary.
Additionally, in Kabbalistic tradition, it is considered improper to utter the names of holy angels. As such, some people refrain from blowing out candles to avoid pronouncing the name of an angel that shares the sound of forceful exhalation.
Instead of blowing out the yizharit candle, some individuals opt to extinguish it by hand or by covering it with a lid or a glass container. Others allow the candle to burn out on its own, considering it a symbol of remembrance and a connection to the divine.
While there are differing opinions on the proper way to extinguish a yizharit candle, the underlying intention is to honour the memory of the departed and their soul's journey.
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The candle should be left to burn out on its own or be extinguished with wine
In the Jewish faith, candles are lit as a memorial to loved ones, with the candle's flame representing the soul of the departed. The candle is usually left to burn out on its own, but there are instances when it needs to be extinguished for safety reasons.
There are differing opinions on whether it is acceptable to blow out a candle. Some believe that blowing out a candle is disrespectful, as the candle is a symbol of the soul, and the soul is compared to a flame. Blowing out a candle with your breath can be seen as ironic, as it uses one 'soul' to extinguish another. This is based on the idea that man's soul is a 'breath' from Hashem, and that the act of blowing out a candle could be invoking the name of a holy angel.
Some people choose to extinguish the candle by hand, or by dipping it into wine, as is done with the Havdalah candle after Shabbat. This is to avoid saying the name of the angel out loud, and also to demonstrate that the candle was lit for a specific purpose and not as a regular source of light.
If a candle needs to be extinguished for safety reasons, some sources suggest putting a lid on the jar, or using a glass "chimney" to protect the flame from being extinguished by a breeze.
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Yizharit candles are lit during Shiva, the seven days of mourning, and on the yahrtzeit, the death anniversary
Yizharit candles, also known as Yahrtzeit or memorial candles, are an integral part of Jewish customs and traditions. The lighting of these candles is a symbolic and spiritual act, deeply rooted in Jewish history and theology. The tradition of lighting Yizharit candles during Shiva, the seven days of mourning, and on the yahrtzeit, the death anniversary, holds significant meaning for those observing these rituals.
The lighting of Yizharit candles during Shiva is a widely accepted practice among Jews. Shiva, a time of mourning and reflection, begins immediately following the passing of a loved one and lasts for seven consecutive days. The Yizharit candle, also referred to as the Shiva candle, is lit during this period, shedding light in the homes of those grieving. This candle serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance, honouring the departed soul and providing comfort to the bereaved.
The Yizharit candle is typically lit inside one's home or near the grave of the deceased. It is believed that the candle's flame represents the divine soul, while the wick and wax embody the physical body. As the candle burns, it symbolises the replenishment of light in the face of the darkness left behind by the departed soul. The warm glow of the candle fosters an atmosphere of reflection, allowing family and friends to share stories and celebrate the life of their loved one.
On the yahrtzeit, the death anniversary, Yizharit candles are lit once again. This time, the candle burns for a full 24 hours, starting at sundown on the eve of the anniversary. The yahrtzeit candle serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring memory of the deceased. It is believed that the soul derives joy from the candle's light, and its glow symbolises the spiritual connection between the living and the departed.
The act of lighting Yizharit candles during Shiva and on the yahrtzeit is a deeply personal and spiritual experience for Jews. While some individuals allow the candle to burn out on its own, others may opt to gently extinguish it by placing a lid on the jar or using other safe methods. The choice of how to handle the candle is a personal decision, influenced by individual beliefs and customs.
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Frequently asked questions
A Yahrzeit candle is a candle lit to remember a loved one. It is a long-standing Jewish custom to light a Yahrzeit candle that burns for a full 24 hours starting at sundown on the anniversary of the death of a loved one.
The candle serves as a remembrance of the departed soul. The memorial candle serves to replenish the light left behind by a soul when it departs from this world.
It is widely accepted to let the candle burn out on its own. However, if you need to put it out, you can use a lid or a cup to extinguish it.
Some sources say that it is improper to blow out a Yahrzeit candle with your breath as it is considered ironic to use one 'soul' to extinguish another. However, some families do blow out the candle, with no halachic reason not to.
Some people extinguish candles by hand or by dipping them in wine. Others say the word 'Purim' forcefully to put out the flame.
