Tyler Brooks
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, during which Jews usually eat a final pre-fast meal and light candles at home before going to the synagogue. There are several candles lit during Yom Kippur, including the regular Yom Tov candles, which are lit before the onset of any Shabbos or Chag, and the Yizkor candle, a memorial candle lit for relatives who have passed away. The Yizkor candle is lit at home before sunset and is meant to burn for 24 hours. The number of candles lit during Yom Kippur can vary, but it is customary to light at least one candle on every holiday during which Yizkor is recited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 1 or 2 |
| Type of candle | Yizkor, Yahrtzeit, or regular Yom Tov candle |
| When to light | Before sunset, before the fast begins |
| Duration | 24 hours or until the candle burns out |
| Where to light | At home or in the synagogue |
| Purpose | Memorial for the deceased, symbol of the soul |
| Custom | Recited during four holidays, including Yom Kippur |
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What You'll Learn
Candles are lit before the start of Yom Kippur
Candles play a significant role in Jewish customs and traditions, and they hold a special place on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. On this solemn day, Jews engage in various candle-lighting rituals, with each candle holding a distinct significance. One of the central tenets of this tradition is the lighting of candles before the commencement of Yom Kippur.
The lighting of candles before Yom Kippur serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it symbolises the transition to a sacred time, marking the onset of the holiday. In Jewish tradition, women and girls typically take on the role of lighting these candles, honouring the day. However, in households without women, men assume this responsibility. This custom is akin to the lighting of candles before Shabbat and other Jewish holidays.
Another important candle lit before Yom Kippur is the Yahrzeit candle, also known as the memorial candle. This candle holds a profound meaning for those mourning the loss of loved ones, especially deceased parents. The Yahrzeit candle is often lit before sunset, symbolising the fragility of life and serving as a reminder that the memory of the departed continues to shine bright. It is designed to burn for 24 hours, mirroring the duration of the Yom Kippur holiday.
The Yizkor candle, which means "remember," is another candle lit prior to the formal Yom Kippur candles. This candle is lit by individuals commemorating loved ones who are no longer alive. There is no prescribed blessing for this candle; however, prayer books often include devotional material that can be recited before its lighting. The Yizkor candle embodies the belief that a candle is a symbol of the soul, reflecting the enduring legacy of those who have passed away.
The pre-Yom Kippur candle lighting rituals hold deep significance in Jewish tradition. They not only signify the transition to a sacred day of reflection and remembrance but also serve as a powerful symbol of the human soul and our connection to those who came before us. Through these candle-lighting traditions, Jews honour their loved ones, uphold time-honoured customs, and embark on the solemn journey of Yom Kippur with reverence and introspection.
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Yahrzeit candles are lit for relatives who have passed away
The ritual of lighting candles is a significant part of Jewish customs and traditions. One such custom is the lighting of Yahrzeit candles, which are lit in memory of deceased relatives. The Yiddish word "Yahrzeit" means "anniversary" or "time of year" and originates from the German words "Jahr", meaning "year", and "Zeit", meaning "time".
The Yahrzeit candle is lit to honour the memory of loved ones who have passed away, often specifically for close family members such as parents, spouses, siblings, or children. It is also considered appropriate to light a candle for other close loved ones, such as grandparents. The lighting of the Yahrzeit candle is a way to reflect on the life of the deceased and the legacy they have left behind.
The Yahrzeit candle is typically lit before sunset on the anniversary of the Hebrew date of death and is designed to burn for 24 hours until it extinguishes on its own. The candle is lit at home, and it is customary to light it before Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and prayer. The Yahrzeit candle is different from the Shiva candle, which is lit immediately following a person's passing and burns for seven days.
The Yahrzeit candle is lit before the regular Yom Kippur or Yom Tov candles, which are lit before the onset of the holiday. The Yahrzeit candle is also distinct from the "ner bari", a candle for the living, which is lit by each married male and is intended to burn throughout Yom Kippur. The Yahrzeit candle serves as a symbol of the soul, representing the belief that ""the soul of man is the candle of God".
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A candle for the living, or 'ner bari', is lit by married males
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a day of prayer, fasting, and repentance. The lighting of candles is an integral part of the rituals and customs of this holy day.
The number of candles lit on Yom Kippur varies according to different customs and traditions. Firstly, it is customary to light candles in honour of the holiday, just as candles are lit on Shabbat. Women and girls usually light these candles, but in households without women, a man will light them. These holiday candles are lit before sunset, and the blessings are recited over them.
In addition to the holiday candles, a Yizkor or memorial candle is lit for deceased parents or close relatives. This candle is known as the 'ner neshama' or 'soul candle' in Hebrew. It is lit before the holiday candles and burns throughout the 25 hours of Yom Kippur. There is no blessing recited when lighting this candle, but some prayer books include devotional material to be read before lighting it.
Finally, candles are lit in the synagogue, and a special candle is lit for the post-Yom Kippur havdalah. This candle is lit from a separate, long-burning candle that was lit before Yom Kippur, known as the 'ner sheshavat' or 'resting candle'. The post-Yom Kippur havdalah candle symbolises that fire was forbidden during the holy day and is now permitted again.
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Candles are lit in the synagogue out of respect for the day
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, involves a number of candle-lighting rituals. Candles are lit at home, and in the synagogue, with different types of candles and wicks used for different purposes.
One of the key reasons for lighting candles on Yom Kippur is to remember and honour deceased relatives. The Yizkor, or memorial candle, is lit to remember loved ones who have passed away. This is often done before sunset, and the candle is designed to burn for 24 hours. The Yizkor candle is lit before the formal Yom Kippur candles, and there is no blessing for this candle, though there are appropriate devotional materials to be read. The Yizkor candle is lit by those who have lost loved ones and is a way to reflect on their memory and the impact of their legacy.
The Yahrzeit candle is lit in memory of a parent who has passed away. This is lit before Yom Kippur and is to burn throughout the 25 hours of the holiday. The Yahrzeit candle is often packaged in a glass jar and is available to purchase in supermarkets and Judaica stores.
The candle lit in honour of Yom Kippur is called dos lebidikeh licht (the living light) or dos gezunteh licht (the healthy light) in Yiddish. It is also known as the ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew. This candle should be big enough to burn throughout Yom Kippur.
In the synagogue, many candles are lit out of respect for the day. These are in addition to the candles lit at home before going to the synagogue for Kol Nidre, a prayer said before sunset.
The candle-lighting rituals are an integral part of the Jewish religion, with the candle often seen as a symbol of the soul.
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A 'ner sheshavas' candle is used for Havdalah after Yom Kippur
On Yom Kippur, Jews light candles in honour of the holiday, their deceased parents, and for use in havdalah. The candle lit for deceased parents is known as a ner neshama (soul light) in Hebrew and a yahrzheit candle in Yiddish. It is customary to light a candle on every holiday on which Yizkor, the remembrance prayer, is recited, as a memorial for one's departed parents.
Havdalah is a ceremony that involves lighting a candle with multiple wicks. The point of the post-Yom Kippur candle is that until that point, fire was forbidden, and now it is permitted. Therefore, the candle used for havdalah must be lit from a flame that has been burning since before Yom Kippur. This is known as a ner sheshavas candle, or a "light that rested".
The ner sheshavas candle is lit from a flame that has been burning since before Yom Kippur. This is because the candle used for havdalah after Yom Kippur requires a fire that has burned since before the holiday. The candle lit in honour of one's deceased parents can also be used for havdalah.
The yahrzheit candle is lit in memory of the dead and is a widely practised custom in Judaism. It is lit by mourners on the anniversary of a person's death according to the Hebrew calendar and is intended to burn for 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
One Yiskor candle should be lit per deceased relative.
The Yiskor candle is lit before sunset on Yom Kippur.
The Yiskor candle is lit in memory of loved ones who have passed away. It is believed that a candle is a symbol of the soul.
