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Ayahrzeit candle, also spelledyahrtzeit candle or called amemorial candle, (Hebrew:נר נשמה,ner neshama, meaning "soul candle";Yiddish:יאָרצײַט ליכטyortsayt likht, meaning "anniversary candle") is a type ofcandle that is lit in memory of the dead inJudaism.[1]
The word "yahrzeit" (Yiddish:יאָרצײַטyortsayt) itself means "anniversary" (or more specifically "anniversary [of a person's death]") in Yiddish, originating from GermanJahr, year, andZeit, time.
In Hebrew, the candles are also calledNer Neshama – a candle for the soul.[2]
The use of ayahrzeit candle is a widely practicedcustom, where mourners light a yahrzeit candle that burns for 24 hours, on the anniversary of the death on theHebrew calendar.[3] Many Jews who are otherwise unobservant follow this custom.[3] It is customary to light the candle inside one's home, or near thegrave of the deceased.
The candle is also lit beforeYom Kippur and there are also customs to light a yahrzeit candle on the dates when theyizkor prayer is said in synagogue (Yom Kippur,Shemini Atzeret, final day ofPesach, andShavuot). Some also light before the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony (Yom HaShoah).
In all cases, the candle is lit before sundown. This is because in Judaism, days begin at sundown, in accordance with Genesis, e.g., 1:5: "And there was evening and there was morning, one day."[4])
It is also customary to light the candle during theshiva, usually a larger one that lasts the entire seven days. In the absence of a seven-dayShiva candle, seven yahrzeit candles can be lit on successive days (but not in violation of Shabbat).
Today, some people use an electric yahrzeit candle that plugs into the wall instead of a candle for safety reasons, such as in a hospital.[5]
The custom of lighting a yahrzeit candle comes from theBook of Proverbs 20:27 "The soul of man is a candle of the Lord."[3]
A candle similarly appears in themidrashic description ofAaron's death:
[God] said to [Aaron]: "Enter the cave", and he entered. He saw a bed made and a candle burning. [God] said to him, "Go up on the bed", and he went up. "Spread out your hands", and he spread out his hands. "Close your mouth", and he closed his mouth. "Close your eyes", and he closed his eyes.Moses immediately desired that his death would occur the same way.[6]
Yahrzeit candles are also commonly used on holidays, for reasons of convenience rather than symbolism.
OnPassover,Shavuot,Sukkot, andRosh Hashana, it is forbidden to light a new fire, but permitted to light one flame from an existing flame for certain purposes (like cooking). Therefore, a yahrzeit candle (or other long-lasting candle) is lit before the holiday, so that a flame is available in case of need. Similarly,havdalah afterYom Kippur requires a fire that has burned since before the holiday, and yahrzeit candles are often used for this purpose as well.
48 hour and 72 hour candles have also been manufactured, for holidays that last more than one day.
It was the first time in my married life that I was unable to light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon (due to hospital regulations).
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