IS THERE A CANDLE LIGHTING FOR YOM KIPPUR?
Yes. Again, we light at least two candles (of the Shabbat variety) though some families light a candle for each member of the family. We put a few coins in the tzedakah box before candle lighting. The candle lighting takes place 18 minutes before sunset or earlier. If you intend to light a Yahrzeit candle, light the Yahrzeit candle before the Yom Kippur candle lighting. The two blessings are as follows (and we include the reference to Shabbat only on Shabbat):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשַׂנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָו וְצוָּנוּ להַדְלִק נֵר שֶׁל
[שַׂבָּת וְשֶׂל]
.יוֹם הַכּפוּרִים
Barukh atah Adonai
Eloheinu melekh ha’olam
asher kidishanu
b’mitzvotav
vitzivanu
lehadlik ner shel
[Shabbat v’shel]
Yom Hakippurim. |
Praised are you, Adonai
our God, who rules the universe
who makes us holy
through the commandments
and has commanded us
to light
[Shabbat and]
Yom Kippur candles.
|
בָּרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָוֹלָם
שׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְמָנוּ והִגִעָנוּ לָזמָן הַזֶה
Barukh atah Adonai
Eloheinu melekh ha’olam
sheheheyanu
v’kiyimanu
v’higiyanu
lazeman hazeh. |
Praised are you, Adonai
our God, who rules the universe
who has given us life
who has sustained in life
and has brought us to
this moment in time.
|
A personal meditation, recited quietly or before the family, is certainly appropriate at this time. Everyone deserves to be given a Yom Kippur greeting kiss.
WHAT IS THE PROPER GREETING ON YOM KIPPUR?
Tzom kal!
Gemar hatimah tovah!
Hatimah tovah! |
Have an easy fast.
A Good Final Sealing [to you].
A Sealing [to you] for Good. |
The latter two greetings can be used all the way through Hoshanah Rabbah, that is, the last day of Sukkot. | 
Updated July 12, 2006 
