Candles

Lighting candles transforms ordinary time into sacred time, marking the official start of the Seder.

The Blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

Blessed are You, Adonai our Divine Presence, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with laws and commanded us to light the festival lights.

As we light the festival candles, we acknowledge that as they brighten our Passover table, good thoughts, good words, and good deeds brighten our days.

A video of two lit candles for places where lighting fires isn't allowed (e.g. dorm rooms)

[Begin taking turns reading. Each person is invited to read a grouped set of lines - or to pass.]

It is said, there is nothing new under the sun, yet nothing remains the same. Against the backdrop of eternity the earth displays an ever-changing countenance. The sun rises and the sun sets, yet each day and each season is fresh and new.

Slowly, one season emerges from another. The harshness of ice and snow yields to gentle, nourishing showers. Inevitably, the cold, dark days succumb to the warmth and light of Spring. We rejoice in the warm light and rich blessings of this season.

The celebration of Passover represents the perennial rebirth and survival of the Jewish people and the world of nature. The light of these candles symbolizes a renewal of life, a reaffirmation of freedom. 

Leader:

N'-varekh `et ha-`or ka-`asher niqqavets b'-tsavta` l'-hadliqnerotshelyomtov. B'-`or ha-herut n'-varekh`et ha-haiyim.

Everyone:

Let us bless the light as we gather together to kindle the festival candles. With the light of liberation let us bless life.

[The candles are lit.] 

Shabbat Candles

May the festival lights we now kindle,

Inspire us to use our powers

To heal and not to harm,

To help and not to hinder,

To bless and not to curse,

To serve You, O God of freedom.

When mourners return home from their loved ones’ funeral, they light a special shiva candle that is designed to burn for seven days, the entire length of shiva. While there is no traditional blessing for lighting this candle, we hope these intentions help you feel a sense of light and a moment of crossing into this phase of grief. 

Lighting the Shiva Candle for the First Time 

Our souls are God’s candles. 

May the light of this candle bring me comfort and keep me company.

And when this candle is gone, may memory continue to illuminate my days. 

יהוה אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי, מִמִּי אִירָא

יהוה מָעוֹז-חַיַּי, מִמִּי אֶפְחָד

Adonai ori v’yishi; mimi ira? 

Adonai maoz-chayai, mimi efchad?

If Adonai is my light and my redemption, what shall I fear? 

If Adonai is the strength of my life, what shall make me afraid? (Ps. 27:1)

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יהוה אֶחָד

Sh’ma, Yisrael: Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.

Hear, O Israel; Adonai is our God; Adonai is One.

Clip source: The Shomer Collective