The blessing on Shabbat candles
It's one sentence, said every Friday evening by millions of Jewish women around the world. Here's the blessing, what it means word by word, and the versions used on holidays.
The Shabbat blessing
Light the candles, cover your eyes, and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדֶשׁ.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat kodesh.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the holy Shabbat.
What the words mean
- Baruch atah Adonai
- Blessed are You, G-d
- Eloheinu melech ha'olam
- our G-d, King of the universe
- asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav
- who made us holy through His commandments
- v'tzivanu
- and commanded us
- l'hadlik ner
- to light the candle
- shel Shabbat kodesh
- of the holy Shabbat
Notice the blessing says ner, "candle," in the singular, even though most people light two or more. The candles together are one mitzvah: bringing light, peace and warmth into the home for Shabbat. Some versions end with just "shel Shabbat," without "kodesh." Both are used; "Shabbat kodesh" is the Chabad wording.
Holiday versions
On holidays, only the last words change. On most holiday nights you add the Shehecheyanu blessing right after (which nights?).
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ 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, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the festival.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Tov.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of Shabbat and the festival.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Hazikaron.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the Day of Remembrance.
On Rosh Hashanah, Chabad and many others end with "Yom Hazikaron," the Day of Remembrance, which is how the holiday is described in the prayers. Many other communities say "Yom Tov" on Rosh Hashanah as well. Follow your family's custom.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Hakippurim.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the Day of Atonement.
When Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat, the ending becomes "shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Hakippurim."
The right blessing, automatically
Not sure which one applies this week? The Shabbat Times home page shows the exact blessing for each night, including Shehecheyanu when it's needed, based on the actual calendar.
Common questions
What is the blessing for Shabbat candles?
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat kodesh. It means: Blessed are You, G-d, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the holy Shabbat.
Is it 'Shabbat' or 'Shabbat kodesh'?
Both versions are used. Chabad and many others say 'Shabbat kodesh' (the holy Shabbat); others say just 'Shabbat.'
What blessing is said on Rosh Hashanah candles?
Chabad and many others end the blessing with 'ner shel Yom Hazikaron.' Other communities say 'ner shel Yom Tov.' Shehecheyanu is added on both nights.
Do you cover your eyes for the blessing?
Yes, the widespread custom is to light, cover your eyes, say the blessing, and then look at the candles.