At What Time Should the Yom Tov Candles be Lit

At What Time Should the Yom Tov Candles be Lit?

Shabbat candles should be lit on Friday afternoons at or before the times specified in the candle-lighting table. The same applies to a Yom Tov that falls on a Saturday. In the latter case, the normal procedure for lighting Shabbat candles is followed, but with the blessing appropriate for Shabbat and Yom Tov.

A Yom Tov that falls on a Sunday commences on Saturday evening, coinciding with the termination of Shabbat. In such a case, the Yom Tov candles should not be lit until after Shabbat ends. Such dates are indicated in the candle-lighting table by asterisks (*).

For a Yom Tov that occurs on any other day, customs vary with regard to the time at which the Yom Tov candles are lit:

In some households, the candle-lighting at the beginning of a Yom Tov is performed at the same time as on Fridays. This is the time normally indicated in the candle-lighting table. Other families have the custom of lighting the candles just before sitting down to the Yom Tov meal, which is usually after the time indicated in the candle-lighting table. In the latter case the candles should be lit in the halachically prescribed manner for lighting fire on Yom Tov.

Where Yom Tov is observed for two days, the candles for the second evening should be lit in the halachically prescribed manner for lighting fire on Yom Tov, and they should not be lit until after the expiry of the first day of Yom Tov. The same applies to a Yom Tov that commences on Saturday evening -- the candles should be lit after Shabbat ends. All such dates are indicated by asterisks (*) in the candle-lighting table.