We kindle lights on Shabbat and on Jewish holidays as a sacred act of welcome — drawing a boundary between the ordinary and the holy. The person lighting the candles waves their hands over the flames, covers their eyes, recites the blessing, and then opens their eyes to behold the light.
SHABBAT CANDLES
Hebrew:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
English:
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Shabbat light.
HOLIDAY CANDLES (YOM TOV)
Hebrew:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.
English:
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the holiday light.
SHEHECHEYANU (ON FIRST NIGHT OF HOLIDAYS)
On the first night of major holidays, add this blessing of gratitude:
Hebrew:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Transliteration:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higi’anu lazman hazeh.
English:
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.