Brooke Martin
The use of candles during Passover is a significant tradition in Judaism. On the second night of Passover, candles are lit for a second time, and blessings are recited. The standard blessing for festival candles is recited in English and transliterated Hebrew, with the translation: Blessed are you, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday. The procedure for holiday candlelighting is the same as on Shabbat, and Jewish women and girls are responsible for ushering the light of the holiday into their homes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Holiday | Passover |
| Lighting time | On the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset |
| Lighting method | Circling of the hands (three times) and the covering of the eyes |
| Who lights the candles | Jewish women and girls |
| Blessings | Shehechiyanu blessing, Shabbat prayer, and prayer for Yom Tov |
| Type of candle | Memorial candles and holiday candles |
| Number of candles | Two, or one additional for each member of the household |
| Type of candelabra | Round 7-branch candelabra |
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What You'll Learn
Candlelighting blessings
Candles are lit on the first and last days of Passover. The holiday candles should ideally be lit on the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset. However, if the candles are not lit before sunset, they may still be lit afterwards.
On the first night of Passover, it is customary to light a seven-day candle or a long-lasting yahrtzeit-style candle before Shabbat, so that the flame can be transferred after Shabbat. This is because it is forbidden to create a flame on a holiday, but it is permitted to light a candle using a pre-existing flame.
On the last days of Passover, the Shehecheyanu blessing is not recited when lighting the candles.
On Rosh Hashanah, the kindler should wear a new garment or have a new seasonal fruit on the table while lighting the candles, reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing.
During Sukkot, the candles should be lit in the sukkah and remain there throughout the meal. If it is windy outside, the candles should be placed in a window or doorway, visible to those sitting in the sukkah.
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Candlelighting procedure
Candles are lit on the first and last days of Passover. The lighting of the candles is done by Jewish women and girls, who are responsible for bringing the light of the holiday into their homes.
On the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset, the holiday candles should be lit. If the candles are not lit before sunset, they may be lit afterward. It is forbidden to create a flame on a holiday, so the candles should be lit using a pre-existing flame, such as a candle that was kindled before the holiday or a gas stove that has been lit before the start of the holiday. It is also forbidden to extinguish a flame during the holiday, so ensure there is a place to put down the candle or match afterward.
When lighting candles for Passover, it is customary to light a candle for each child in the family. Some families also have the tradition of lighting all the candles on the first night of Passover, decreasing the number by one each night, and then lighting all of them again on the final night.
If Passover begins on a Saturday night, it is customary to light a seven-day candle or a long-lasting yahrtzeit-style candle before Shabbat, so the flame can be transferred after Shabbat. This is because it is forbidden to light a candle using a match after Shabbat has begun and before Passover starts.
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Candlelighting customs
Candles are lit on most Jewish holidays of Biblical origin, including the first and last days of Passover. The lighting of candles on Passover is symbolic of moving from slavery to freedom, and the obligation to question and act against modern plagues such as domestic violence, gun violence, and food insecurity.
On the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset, Jewish women and girls are responsible for lighting the holiday candles. If the candles are not lit before sunset, they may be lit afterward. The candles are lit after the Shabbat candle, using a pre-existing flame from the Shabbat candle or a gas stove.
On the first night of Passover, some families light all the candles and then decrease the number by one each night, lighting all of them again on the final night. This is accompanied by the lighting of Yizkor candles for deceased parents.
When Passover falls on a Saturday night, the schedule shifts, and candles are lit after Shabbat has ended, using a pre-existing flame. This is because it is forbidden to create a flame on a holiday, and also to extinguish a flame.
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The significance of candlelighting
The lighting of candles is a significant part of Jewish holidays, including Passover. Candles are lit on most Jewish holidays of Biblical origin, including the first and last days of Passover. The act of candlelighting holds a special meaning and is performed according to specific procedures and customs.
On Passover, candlelighting is done to commemorate the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt and their journey towards freedom. It is a time to reflect on the past and encourage dialogue and transformation. The seder, an integral part of Passover, is a space where questions are welcomed, and different beliefs and traditions can coexist.
The responsibility of lighting the holiday candles typically falls on Jewish women and girls, who bring the light of the holiday into their homes. Ideally, the candles should be lit on the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset. However, if the candles are not lit before sunset, they may still be lit afterward.
There are also specific customs associated with candlelighting on Passover. For example, when lighting Yizkor candles on the last day of Passover, those who have lost their parents light a Yahrtzeit candle for each deceased parent. Additionally, on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, which is part of the Passover week, the candle lighter wears a new garment or places a new seasonal fruit on the table while reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing.
The procedure for candlelighting includes using a pre-existing flame, such as a candle lit before the start of the holiday or a gas stove that has been left on. It is forbidden to create a new flame on the holiday, and one must ensure that the flame is not extinguished.
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The type of candelabra used
Candles are lit on most Jewish holidays, including the first and last days of Passover. The type of candelabra used depends on the specific customs and traditions of the individual and their community. Here are some common practices:
On the first night of a Jewish holiday, it is customary to light candles 18 minutes before sunset. This timing is also followed on the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, which marks the beginning of Passover. If the candles are not lit before sunset, they may still be lit afterwards.
For Passover, it is important to use a pre-existing flame to light the holiday candles. This can be done by lighting a long-lasting candle, such as a seven-day candle or a yahrtzeit-style candle, before Shabbat, and then using that candle to "transfer flames" after Shabbat, when Passover begins. This practice ensures that a match is not used to light the Passover candles, as creating a flame on the holiday is forbidden.
In some families, it is customary to light a candle for each child on Passover, similar to the tradition on Shabbat. Additionally, Yizkor candles are lit by those who have lost their parents on the last day of Passover.
During the lighting of the candles, it is customary to wear new garments or have new seasonal fruit on the table, especially on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, which sometimes coincides with Passover.
The number of candles lit on each night of Passover may vary between communities and families. Some light the same number of candles on each night, while others may decrease the number of candles by one each night, lighting the full number again on the final night.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, candles are lit on the first and last days of Passover.
The candles should be lit on the afternoon of the 14th of Nissan, 18 minutes before sunset. If the candles are not lit before sunset, they may be lit afterward.
Lighting candles on Passover is a way to remember that "we were foreigners in the land of Egypt," and God liberated us to love all peace-loving refugees as ourselves. It is also a reminder of our obligation to move from slavery to freedom and to encourage the transformation of silence into speech.
