Jessie Taylor
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is ushered in by the lighting of candles. The number of candles lit varies, with some sources stating that two candles should be lit, while others state that there are five sets of candles that should be lit. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by blessings and prayers, and the candles are typically lit by women and girls in the family. The candles are lit before sunset, marking the beginning of the Yom Kippur fast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 2 |
| Who lights the candles | Women and girls, or the head of the household if there is no woman |
| When to light the candles | Before sunset, at least 18 minutes before |
| Candle type | Yizkor candle, Yom Tov candles, "yahrtzeit" or memorial candle, "ner bari" or candle for the living, Shulchan Aruch candles |
| Duration | 24 hours or 25 hours |
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What You'll Learn
- Women and girls light candles before sunset to bring in Yom Kippur
- The regular Yom Tov candles are lit before the holiday begins
- A 'yahrtzeit' candle is lit in memory of a deceased parent
- A ner bari candle is lit by married men and is intended to last the whole day
- Many candles are lit in the synagogue to honour the day
Women and girls light candles before sunset to bring in Yom Kippur
Women and girls play a key role in the pre-Yom Kippur candle-lighting ceremony. It is customary for them to light candles 18 minutes before sunset to bring in Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. This ritual is steeped in tradition and holds significant religious meaning.
The candle-lighting ceremony serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it symbolises atonement and honouring God, as Isaiah writes, "With lights, honour God". It is also an act of remembrance for departed loved ones, as a flame symbolises the human soul, according to King Solomon's Proverbs: "A flame of God is the soul of man". Thus, the lighting of candles carries profound spiritual and memorial significance.
The number of candles lit during this ceremony can vary. While some sources suggest lighting two holiday candles, similar to Shabbat, others mention the custom of lighting multiple candles in the synagogue to honour the day. Additionally, a ""yahrtzeit" or memorial candle is often lit for each deceased relative, and these candles are expected to burn for 24 hours.
The candle-lighting ritual is typically performed by married women, who light two candles. However, single women and girls may also participate, especially if no parent is present. The candles are lit after a final pre-fast meal, marking the beginning of the fast for Yom Kippur.
The ceremony includes reciting blessings, such as "Blessed are You, Lord, our God, Ruler 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". This blessing acknowledges God's sanctification and the significance of lighting the Yom Kippur candles.
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The regular Yom Tov candles are lit before the holiday begins
Women and girls (or, in the absence of women, the head of the household) light the candles at least 18 minutes before sunset. This is done to usher in the holy Yom Kippur. If the person lighting the candles intends to go to the synagogue for the Kol Nidrei prayers, they should proceed to the synagogue without delay after lighting the candles.
The regular Yom Tov candles are one of five sets of candles that are lit for Yom Kippur. The other four are:
- The Yahrtzeit or memorial candle for deceased relatives, lit at home before Yom Kippur.
- The "Ner Bari", a candle for the living, lit by married men and intended to last the entire Yom Kippur.
- The Yizkor candle, lit before the formal Yom Kippur candles by those remembering loved ones no longer living.
- The candles lit in the synagogue out of respect for the day.
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A 'yahrtzeit' candle is lit in memory of a deceased parent
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a sacred occasion that involves fasting and the lighting of candles. It is customary for everyone to light a candle or torch, with men and women performing this ritual separately. The candle is lit before sunset, marking the beginning of the fast.
The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur can vary, with some sources mentioning two candles and others mentioning up to five sets of candles. The lighting of a Yahrtzeit candle, also known as a memorial candle, is an important aspect of this tradition for those who have lost a parent. This candle is lit in memory of the deceased parent and is intended to burn for the entire duration of Yom Kippur, which is approximately 24 to 25 hours.
The Yahrtzeit candle holds symbolic significance, representing the soul of the departed. It is often lit at home before the onset of Yom Kippur and is not accompanied by a blessing. This candle serves as a solemn reminder of the individual's loss and is a way to honour their parent's memory during this sacred day of reflection and atonement.
In addition to the Yahrtzeit candle, there are other types of candles lit during Yom Kippur. These include the regular Yom Tov candles, which are lit before any Shabbos or Chag, and the "ner bari", a candle for the living lit by married men. The synagogue is also adorned with many candles to honour the day and respect the holiness of the occasion.
The lighting of candles during Yom Kippur is a meaningful ritual that holds spiritual significance for Jews worldwide. The Yahrtzeit candle, in particular, allows individuals to remember and honour their deceased parents while partaking in the traditions of this sacred day.
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A ner bari candle is lit by married men and is intended to last the whole day
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, involves the lighting of several candles, with different purposes and durations. One such candle is the ner bari, which is lit by married men and is intended to last the whole day.
Ner bari, meaning "the living light" in Yiddish, is a candle lit by each married man and is meant to endure throughout Yom Kippur. This tradition is rooted in the concept of honouring the day and is separate from the regular Yom Tov candles. The candle symbolises the living, contrasting the yahrtzeit candle, which is a memorial candle for the deceased.
The ner bari candle is typically lit before Yom Kippur and is intended to burn for the entire 25 hours of the holiday. It is customary for individuals to light this candle at home, and some choose to bring it to the synagogue, placing it among other candles to avoid any omen-like associations with a candle going out.
The lighting of the ner bari candle is one of the five sets of candles lit for Yom Kippur. The other four include the regular Yom Tov candles, the yahrtzeit or memorial candle, the candles lit in the synagogue, and the post-Yom Kippur havdalah candle.
The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur is not specified, but the focus is on honouring the day and remembering the departed through these candle-lighting traditions. The ner bari candle, lit by married men, is a significant part of this observance, providing light and symbolism throughout the entire day of Yom Kippur.
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Many candles are lit in the synagogue to honour the day
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, and it is customary to light many candles in the synagogue to honour the day. There are five sets of candles that may be lit for Yom Kippur. Firstly, the regular Yom Tov candles are lit before the onset of the holiday. The custom is to recite the blessing “…Lhadlik Ner Shel Yom Hakippurim” as well as Shecheyanu.
Secondly, it is customary to light a "yahrtzeit" or memorial candle for departed parents or relatives. These candles are of the 24-hour variety and are lit at home before Yom Kippur. The candle, known in Hebrew as a ner neshama (soul light), symbolises the human soul, as King Solomon writes in Proverbs, "A flame of God is the soul of man".
Thirdly, there is a custom to light a "ner bari", a candle for the living. This candle is lit by each married man and is intended to burn throughout Yom Kippur. As it is considered ominous if this candle goes out, many place it among all the other candles in the synagogue.
Fourthly, the Shulchan Aruch writes that we should light many candles in the synagogue on Yom Kippur out of respect for the day. This is because, unlike other holidays, Yom Kippur is not honoured with food and drink, so we honour it with extra candles, as Isaiah writes, "With lights, honour God".
Finally, a special Yizkor candle 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.
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