
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated by lighting candles to mark the transition to sacred time. The lighting of candles is a common practice in Jewish tradition, with candles being kindled on most holidays of Biblical origin. The number of candles lit during Rosh Hashanah ranges from one to two, with an additional candle for each member of the household. The candles are typically lit before sunset in a prominent place, and a blessing is recited afterward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | Jewish law requires one candle to be lit, but many people light two candles, one for each night of Rosh Hashanah. Some also light an additional candle for each member of the household. |
| Type of candle | A Yahrtzeit candle is often used, or a "Candle of Life". |
| Timing | Candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset on the first night, and after sunset on the second night. |
| Order | Candles are lit from left to right. |
| Location | Candles should be lit in a prominent place in the home. |
| Blessing | A blessing is recited after the candles are lit. The blessing may vary depending on the tradition (Sephardi, Ashkenazi, etc.). |
| Rituals | On the second night, it is traditional to taste a new fruit and say the Shehechiyanu blessing for new experiences. |
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What You'll Learn

Candles are lit before the blessing is recited
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a sacred time for people of the Jewish faith. The celebration begins with the lighting of candles, which symbolises the transition to this sacred time. The lighting of candles is a common practice on most Jewish holidays of Biblical origin, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover.
The candles are lit before the blessing is recited. The blessing is as follows:
> "Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of [Shabbat and] the Festival day."
The blessing is recited after the candles are lit to avoid the need to light a new flame on the holiday itself. Jewish law only requires that one candle is lit, but many people light two candles, with an additional candle for each member of the household. The candles are typically lit in one's home eighteen minutes before sunset.
On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, it is traditional to taste a fruit that one has not tasted in a long time. This fruit provides an opportunity to say the Shehechiyanu blessing, which is recited on "new" occasions. The Shehechiyanu blessing is also recited on the first night of Rosh Hashanah.
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The Shehechiyanu blessing is recited on the first night
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a sacred time for people of the Jewish faith. The celebration begins with the lighting of candles, symbolizing the transition to a sacred time. Jewish law requires only one candle to be lit, but many people light two, and some light an additional candle for each member of the household. The candles are lit before the blessing is recited.
> Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner [shel Shabbat v’]shel Yom Tov.
> Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of [Shabbat and] the Festival day.
The Shehechiyanu blessing is also recited on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, along with the blessing for the candles. The second night is considered a continuation of the first, and the same procedure is followed, with candles lit from an existing flame. This is done to avoid striking a match or igniting a lighter, which would violate Rosh Hashanah's work prohibition.
The Shehechiyanu blessing is an important part of the Rosh Hashanah celebration, and it is recited with joy and gratitude for the new year and its experiences.
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A yahrzeit candle is lit before the first night
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a sacred time for the Jewish community. The celebration begins with the lighting of candles, a symbolic transition to a sacred time. The lighting of candles is a significant ritual, with specific procedures to be followed.
The Yahrzeit candle is lit before sunset on the first night, and it is placed in a prominent location. The lighting of the Yahrzeit candle is followed by the lighting of the first-night candles, which can be one or two candles, or one for each member of the household. The candles are lit from left to right, and then the blessings are recited. The blessings vary slightly depending on the tradition, with Sephardi and Ashkenazi versions differing slightly in wording.
The candles are typically lit by women and girls, who recite prayers during the lighting ceremony. The candle-lighting times are important, and one can refer to Chabad.org for the exact times for specific locations. The Yahrzeit candle and the subsequent Rosh Hashanah candles are an integral part of the Rosh Hashanah celebration, marking the transition to a sacred time and setting the tone for the rest of the holiday.
The Yahrzeit candle is a practical solution to the work prohibition of Rosh Hashanah, ensuring that the second night's candles are lit without violating any traditions. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of the holiday and sets the tone for the rest of the celebrations.
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Candles are lit from left to right
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it is traditional to light candles (hadlakat nerot) to mark the transition to sacred time. The lighting of candles is a common practice in Jewish tradition, and it is done on most holidays of Biblical origin.
The candles are lit before the blessing is recited, and Jewish law requires that at least one candle is lit. However, it is common to light two candles, and some also light an additional candle for each member of the household. The candles are typically lit in the home eighteen minutes before sunset on the first night, and after sunset on the second night. When the candles are lit, the blessing is recited:
> Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of [Shabbat and] the Festival day.
The candles are lit from left to right, and it is important that an existing flame is used, rather than a match or lighter, to avoid violating the work prohibition of Rosh Hashanah. This is why many people light a long-lasting candle, such as a yahrzeit candle, before lighting the first-night candles, so that they can transfer the flame on the second night.
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The blessing concludes with to light the Shabbat and festival lamp
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a sacred time for the Jewish community. The celebration begins with the lighting of candles, symbolizing the transition to a sacred time. The lighting of candles is a significant ritual, with specific procedures to be followed.
The candles are lit before the blessing is recited, and the blessing concludes with "to light the Shabbat and festival lamp". The blessing is as follows:
> Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner [shel Shabbat v’]shel Yom Tov
> Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of [Shabbat and] the Festival day.
The Ashkenazi version of the blessing is almost identical, but it adds an extra word, "shel", meaning "of":
> Baruch atah, Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat v’yom tov
> Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the lights of Shabbat and the festival.
The lighting of candles is a sacred tradition, with specific procedures to be followed. The candles are typically lit in one's home eighteen minutes before sunset on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. It is customary for women and girls to light the candles and recite prayers. The candles are lit from left to right, and it is important to use an existing flame, such as a yahrzeit candle, instead of a match or lighter.
The second night of Rosh Hashanah is also significant, with a slightly different procedure. The candles are lit only after Shabbat is over, forty-two minutes past sunset or later. The Shehechiyanu blessing is recited on the second night, along with a blessing for new experiences, known as Shehecheyanu.
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Frequently asked questions
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is ushered in by lighting candles to symbolise the transition to sacred time.
The candles are typically lit in one's home eighteen minutes before sunset on the first night. On the second night, the candles are lit after Shabbat, 42 minutes past sunset or later.
Jewish law requires that only one candle is lit, but many people light two candles. Another widespread tradition is to light two candles and an additional candle for each member of the household.
It is considered a tradition to light a yahrzeit or other long-burning candles before lighting the first-night candles. This is done so that one can transfer the flame when lighting the candles on the second night, thereby avoiding striking a match or igniting a lighter, which would violate Rosh Hashanah's work prohibition.
The blessings recited during candle lighting vary. The Sephardi version of the blessing is:
> Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav vitzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'yom tov.
The Ashkenazi version is nearly identical but adds the extra word "shel", meaning "of":
> Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v' tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'shel yom tov.


























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