Brooke Martin
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday during which food and drink are forbidden. Instead, the day is honoured by lighting candles, with the number of candles varying depending on the custom being observed. One custom is to light a single candle, known as a ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew, which burns throughout the entire 24 hours of Yom Kippur. Another custom is to light a yahrzeit candle, which also burns for 24 hours, in memory of those who have passed away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 1 candle per household, but individual family members may each light their own |
| Type of candle | Yahrzeit candle |
| Duration | Burns for 24 hours |
| Timing | Lit at sundown before Yom Kippur |
| Location | Inside one's home or near the grave of the deceased |
| Purpose | Honoring the memory of the deceased and their soul |
| Other occasions | Yahrzeit, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, Shavuot, and other holidays |
| Safety | Use a safe surface or an electric memorial light |
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What You'll Learn
- The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur can vary from one to many
- Candles are lit before sunset and burned throughout the night
- The lighting of candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers
- Candles are lit by women and girls, or the head of the household
- The candles are lit in the synagogue or at home
The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur can vary from one to many
The custom is to light one yahrtzeit candle for all those who are being remembered on Yom Kippur. However, some sources state that it is customary to light many candles in the synagogue, and that in earlier times, both young and old would have a candle lit for them. Today, only married men light candles in the synagogue.
The candle, known in Hebrew as a ner neshama (soul light), should burn the entire Yom Kippur and is lit at home. It is also customary to light a candle after Yom Kippur has ended, during the post-Yom Kippur havdalah. This blessing is appropriate on Saturday night, as Adam created fire for the first time on Saturday night.
Women and girls, or if there isn't a woman in the house, the head of the household, light candles at least 18 minutes before sunset and recite blessings.
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Candles are lit before sunset and burned throughout the night
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that is honoured by lighting candles, as Isaiah writes, "With lights, honour G‑d." The candles are lit at least 18 minutes before sunset and burned throughout the night. This is because, in the Hebrew calendar, days begin at sunset.
The candles lit during Yom Kippur are known as yahrzeit candles, which are lit on the anniversary of a person's death. The word "yahrzeit" in Yiddish means "anniversary" or "anniversary of a person's death". The candle is lit inside one's home or near the grave of the deceased. It is customary to light one yahrzeit candle for all those who are being remembered on Yom Kippur. However, each family member may light their own candle as well.
The yahrzeit candle is lit before the fast beginning on Yom Kippur and before sunset on other holidays. The candle is lit to remember a life and to spend time in introspection. It is customary to let the candle burn out on its own. If candles are unavailable or for safety reasons, an electric memorial light may be used.
The candle is also referred to as a ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew and dos lebidikeh licht (the living light) or dos gezunteh licht (the healthy light) in Yiddish. The candle should be big enough to burn throughout Yom Kippur.
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The lighting of candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday during which food and drink are forbidden, so it is honoured by lighting extra candles. The lighting of candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers.
The Hebrew blessing said during the candle-lighting ceremony is:
> "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion."
In English, this is:
> "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."
Another blessing is said during the post-Shabbat havdalah:
> "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the lights of fire."
This blessing is said while holding a multi-wicked candle.
The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur can vary. In the past, both young and old would have a candle lit for them, but today only married men light candles in the synagogue. In the home, it is customary to light one yahrtzeit candle for each person being remembered, and these candles should burn for 24 hours. These candles are lit just before sunset and are left to burn out on their own.
The candle flame is thought to symbolise the human soul, and the lighting of candles is an important part of many Jewish religious occasions.
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Candles are lit by women and girls, or the head of the household
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that is honoured by lighting candles, as Isaiah writes, "With lights, honour G‑d." The candles are lit at least 18 minutes before sunset and are kept burning throughout the night, as prayers and supplications are read.
Women and girls, or the head of the household if there is no woman in the house, light the candles. The candle-lighting ritual is a moment to remember the deceased and spend time in introspection. It is also an opportunity for families to share memories of the departed.
The number of candles lit can vary. A 24-hour candle is lit for the yahrzeit, the anniversary of a person's death, and is also customary on Yom Kippur. However, this is not mandatory, and any candle that will burn for 24 hours can be used. Only one candle is typically lit per household, but individual family members may choose to light their own.
The candle is known as a ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew and is lit at home. It is also customary to light a candle in the synagogue, but today, only married men perform this ritual.
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The candles are lit in the synagogue or at home
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday during which it is customary to light candles. These candles are lit in the synagogue or at home, and they are lit before sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur.
In the synagogue, it is customary to light many candles. In earlier times, both young and old would have had a candle lit for them, but today, only married men light candles. This candle is called "dos lebidikeh licht" (the living light) or "dos gezunteh licht" (the healthy light) in Yiddish. It is meant to burn for the entirety of Yom Kippur.
At home, it is customary to light a 24-hour candle known as a "yahrtzeit candle" in memory of loved ones who have passed away. This is a widespread custom deeply ingrained in Jewish life. The candle is lit by family members at sundown on the eve of Yom Kippur, and it is left to burn out on its own. The 24-hour candle symbolises the idea that a person's soul is like a candle in the world. While lighting the candle, one may take a moment to think about the unique light the person brought into the world and to bring that intention into the new year.
In addition to the 24-hour candle, 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. If the person lighting the candles intends to drive to the synagogue for the Kol Nidrei prayers, they should proceed to the synagogue without delay after lighting the candles.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you only need one candle for Yom Kippur, known as a ner neshama (soul light).
The candle symbolises the human soul, as King Solomon writes in Proverbs, "A flame of G‑d is the soul of man". It is also lit to honour God, as Isaiah writes, "With lights, honour God".
The candle is lit at least 18 minutes before sunset and should burn for the entire 24 hours of Yom Kippur.
In earlier times, both young and old would have a candle lit for them. Today, only married men light candles in the synagogue. All women and girls light candles at home.
