IS THERE A CANDLE LIGHTING FOR YOM TOV?
Yes. As with all the major Jewish holidays, we welcome in Yom Tov, both the first and second night, with candle lighting. We put a few coins in the tzedakah box before candle lighting on the first night. Candle lighting for the first night takes place 18 minutes before sunset. Candle lighting for the second night takes place 42 minutes after sunset. We light at least two candles (of the Shabbat variety) though some families light a candle for each member of the family.
The candles are first lit. As if welcoming a long-awaited guest, make a circular motion with both hands, three times, just around the candles, and let your hands settle over your eyes, blocking the fire from your sight. A personal meditation, recited quietly or before the family, is certainly appropriate at this time. Then, recite the blessings. The dates and times for the blessings are as follows:
|
DAY |
OCTOBER |
TIME |
BLESSINGS |
| Friday |
2 |
6:16pm |
3, 2 |
| Saturday* |
3 |
7:15pm |
1, 2 |
|
DAY |
OCTOBER |
TIME |
BLESSINGS |
| Monday |
9 |
6:05pm |
3, 2 |
| Saturday* |
10 |
7:04pm |
1, 2 |
* The flame used to light candles on the second night must be obtained from and existing fire, like a pilot light or a candle lit before Yom Tov. This is because on Yom Tov, we may transfer fire, but we may neither create it nor extinguish it
BLESSING # 1
,בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשַׂנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָו וְצוָּנוּ להַדְלִק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
asher kidishanu bemitzvotav, vitzivanu lehadlik ner shel Yom Tov.
Praised are You, Adonai our God, who rules the universe,
who makes us holy through mitzvot
and has commanded us to bring light to this good day.
BLESSING # 2
,בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָוֹלָם
שֶׂהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְמָנוִּ וְהִגִּיָנוּ לָזְּמָן הָזֶה
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
shehehiyanu, vekiyimanu, vehigi’anu, lazeman hazeh.
Praised are You, Adonai our God, who rules the universe, who has given us life, and given us sustenance, and has brought us to this special time.
BLESSING # 3
בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשַׂנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָו וְצוָּנוּ להַדְלִק נֵר שֶׁל שָׁבּת
וְשֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
asher kidishanu bemitzvotav, vitzivanu lehadlik ner
shel Shabbat vishel Yom Tov.
Praised are You, Adonai our God, who rules the universe,
who makes us holy through mitzvot
and has commanded us to bring light to this Shabbat and to this good day.
WHAT IS THE PROPER GREETING ON SUKKOT?
Hag Same’ah—Happy Holiday! This is a very useful greeting to know since it works on all three pilgrimage festivals.
| 
Updated July 12, 2006 
