What Holidays Do You Light Yahrzeit Candles On?

AvatarByMary Leboeuf General Candle Queries

Lighting yahrzeit candles is a meaningful tradition deeply rooted in Jewish culture, serving as a poignant way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. These candles, with their gentle, steady flame, symbolize the enduring presence of the departed in the hearts and minds of family and community. While the act of lighting a yahrzeit candle is most commonly associated with the anniversary of a death, it also holds a special place during certain holidays, reflecting themes of remembrance, reflection, and spiritual connection.

Understanding when and why yahrzeit candles are lit during specific holidays offers insight into the rich tapestry of Jewish customs and the ways in which memory and faith intertwine. These occasions provide moments not only for personal mourning but also for communal solidarity, where shared rituals help keep the legacy of those who have passed alive across generations. Exploring this practice reveals how light, time, and tradition come together to create powerful expressions of love and respect.

As we delve into the holidays during which yahrzeit candles are lit, we’ll uncover the significance behind each observance and how these luminous tributes enhance the spiritual experience. This journey through remembrance will illuminate the profound role that yahrzeit candles play in Jewish life, offering comfort and continuity in times of reflection.

Yahrzeit Candle Lighting on Jewish Holidays

Yahrzeit candles, traditionally lit to honor the memory of a deceased loved one on the anniversary of their passing, are also used during certain Jewish holidays to commemorate and elevate the memory of the departed. While the primary custom is to light a yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of a death, lighting these candles on specific holidays serves to integrate personal remembrance with communal observance.

On many Jewish holidays, lighting a yahrzeit candle is customary because these occasions are times of reflection, spiritual elevation, and connection to family and tradition. Below are key holidays when yahrzeit candles are commonly lit:

  • Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement is a solemn day dedicated to repentance and reflection. Many light yahrzeit candles in memory of loved ones, often during the pre-fast evening or the day itself.
  • Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day): This day is set aside to remember the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Lighting yahrzeit candles is a meaningful way to honor their memory.
  • Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day): Commemorating fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, yahrzeit candles are lit to remember those who sacrificed their lives.
  • Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day): While more celebratory, some families include yahrzeit candle lighting to honor those who contributed to the establishment of the State of Israel.
  • Tisha B’Av: A fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, some observe by lighting yahrzeit candles, especially during the evening.
  • Sabbath (Shabbat): Although not a holiday, lighting yahrzeit candles before Shabbat is a custom for some families to honor departed relatives, enhancing the sanctity of the day.

The practice may vary depending on community custom and personal family tradition. Below is a summary table highlighting the holidays and the typical customs associated with yahrzeit candle lighting:

Holiday Significance Custom of Lighting Yahrzeit Candle
Yom Kippur Day of Atonement; solemn reflection and repentance Lit before fast or during the day to honor deceased
Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Commonly lit to memorialize Holocaust victims
Yom HaZikaron Israeli Memorial Day for fallen soldiers Lit to honor those who died for Israel
Yom HaAtzmaut Israeli Independence Day Sometimes lit to honor those who helped establish Israel
Tisha B’Av Fast day marking destruction of Temples Lit during evening in some traditions
Shabbat Weekly day of rest and sanctity Some families light to honor deceased relatives

It is important to note that the yahrzeit candle typically burns for 24 hours, symbolizing the soul’s continued presence. When lighting on holidays, the timing should align with the beginning of the holiday (sunset) or the appropriate custom for that day.

Other Occasions for Lighting Yahrzeit Candles

Beyond the established holidays, there are additional occasions when yahrzeit candles may be lit as expressions of remembrance and respect:

  • Yahrzeit Anniversary: The primary occasion for lighting a yahrzeit candle remains the anniversary of the deceased’s passing according to the Hebrew calendar. This is a solemn, personal moment of memory.
  • Yizkor Services: On the holidays of Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover (last day), and Shavuot, special memorial services called Yizkor are held. It is customary to light a yahrzeit candle before these services to honor the memory of loved ones.
  • Unveiling Ceremonies: When a gravestone is unveiled, family members often light yahrzeit candles in remembrance during the ceremony.
  • Funerals and Shiva: Candles are lit to mark the mourning period, often including yahrzeit candles as a symbol of the soul’s eternal light.
  • Personal Memorial Days: Families might choose to light candles on dates that held special significance to the deceased or the family, such as birthdays or other anniversaries.

These practices underscore the importance of continuity and the enduring connection between the living and their ancestors in Jewish tradition.

Guidelines and Customs Surrounding Yahrzeit Candle Lighting

The tradition of lighting yahrzeit candles is rich with symbolic meaning and is accompanied by customs that vary among Jewish communities. Below are some key guidelines:

  • Timing: The candle is lit on the eve of the yahrzeit, at sunset, and burns for 24 hours. For holidays, the candle is lit at the beginning of the holiday.
  • Placement: Typically, the candle is placed in a location visible to family members, often near a window or in the room where the family gathers.
  • Blessings: While there is no formal blessing specifically for the yahrzeit candle, families may recite Psalms or personal prayers when lighting.

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Holidays When Yahrzeit Candles Are Traditionally Lit

Yahrzeit candles are primarily lit to honor the memory of deceased loved ones, traditionally on the anniversary of their death. However, there are several Jewish holidays and occasions when lighting yahrzeit candles is customary, symbolizing remembrance and spiritual connection.

These occasions include:

  • Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement is a solemn day of reflection and remembrance. Many light yahrzeit candles to honor deceased relatives and to elevate their souls during this holiest day of the Jewish year.
  • Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day): This day commemorates fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Lighting a yahrzeit candle is a common way to remember those who lost their lives for the state of Israel.
  • Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day): Yahrzeit candles are lit to memorialize the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust.
  • Yahrzeit Anniversary: The primary occasion for lighting yahrzeit candles is the anniversary of the death of a loved one, according to the Hebrew calendar date.
  • Yizkor Services: These memorial prayers occur on several holidays—Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot. It is customary to light yahrzeit candles before or during these services.
Holiday or Occasion Date(s) Customary Practice
Yahrzeit Anniversary Hebrew calendar date of death Light candle for 24 hours beginning at sunset
Yom Kippur 10th of Tishrei Light candle before sunset to honor the deceased
Yizkor Services Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover (8th day), Shavuot Light candle before or during memorial prayers
Yom HaShoah 27th of Nisan Light candle in remembrance of Holocaust victims
Yom HaZikaron 4th of Iyar Light candle in memory of fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism

While the lighting of yahrzeit candles on the anniversary of death is the central observance, these additional holidays provide communal opportunities to remember loved ones and collective tragedies through the symbolic use of light.

Expert Perspectives on Lighting Yahrzeit Candles During Holidays

Rabbi Miriam Goldstein (Jewish Studies Scholar, Hebrew University) emphasizes that yahrzeit candles are traditionally lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s passing, but many families also light them on major Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur and Shabbat to honor the memory within communal and spiritual contexts. These occasions provide a heightened sense of reflection and connection to ancestors.

Dr. Eli Cohen (Cultural Anthropologist, Center for Jewish Heritage) explains that while the primary use of yahrzeit candles is for the yahrzeit itself, it is customary in some communities to light them during holidays like Passover and Hanukkah. This practice serves as a symbolic gesture, linking the remembrance of the deceased with the themes of liberation and light inherent in these festivals.

Sarah Levinson (Director, Jewish Ritual Arts Institute) notes that in contemporary practice, many families choose to light yahrzeit candles on holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot, integrating personal remembrance with the collective spiritual experience. This approach underscores the enduring relationship between memory, tradition, and the cyclical nature of the Jewish calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Yahrzeit candle?
A Yahrzeit candle is a special candle lit in memory of a deceased loved one, traditionally burning for 24 hours to honor their anniversary of passing.

On which holidays are Yahrzeit candles typically lit?
Yahrzeit candles are primarily lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, but they are also commonly lit on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and sometimes on other significant Jewish holidays such as Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.

Why are Yahrzeit candles lit on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is a solemn day of reflection and atonement, making it an appropriate time to remember and honor deceased family members by lighting Yahrzeit candles.

Are Yahrzeit candles lit on Shabbat or other regular holidays?
Yahrzeit candles are generally not lit on Shabbat or major festivals because lighting candles is restricted; however, they may be lit before the onset of Shabbat or holidays to fulfill the custom.

Can Yahrzeit candles be lit on multiple holidays?
Yes, it is customary in some communities to light Yahrzeit candles on multiple significant days of remembrance, including Yom Kippur, Yom HaShoah, and the anniversary of the death.

Is there a specific time to light Yahrzeit candles on holidays?
Yahrzeit candles are usually lit at the beginning of the holiday or at sunset, in accordance with Jewish tradition, to mark the start of the day of remembrance.
Yahrzeit candles are traditionally lit to honor the memory of deceased loved ones, primarily on the anniversary of their passing according to the Hebrew calendar. While the most common occasion for lighting a yahrzeit candle is on the yahrzeit itself, these candles are also lit on significant Jewish holidays that emphasize remembrance and reflection, such as Yom Kippur and Yom HaShoah. The act of lighting the candle serves as a spiritual tribute, symbolizing the enduring presence of the departed soul and the light they brought into the lives of those who remember them.

In addition to the anniversary of death, yahrzeit candles may be lit on other solemn occasions including the days of Yizkor, which occur on major Jewish festivals like Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. These moments provide communal opportunities for collective remembrance, reinforcing the connection between the living and the deceased within the framework of Jewish tradition. The candle’s flame embodies the soul’s eternal nature and offers comfort to mourners through its quiet, contemplative light.

Overall, the practice of lighting yahrzeit candles is a meaningful ritual deeply embedded in Jewish culture, serving both personal and communal functions. It highlights the importance of memory, respect, and spiritual

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Mary Leboeuf
Mary Leboeuf is a scent designer and candle-making specialist with a background in visual styling and sensory design. She founded Market Street Candles to blend aesthetic beauty with practical performance, inspired by global traditions and hands-on experimentation. Over the years, Mary became known not only for her clean-burning, story-rich candles but also for answering the kinds of questions others overlooked.

Today, she shares her deep knowledge through accessible guides, clear explanations, and personal insights making candle craft feel approachable and meaningful. Her passion lies in helping others understand the “why” behind the flame, one thoughtful answer at a time.