The Yahrzeit / Yizkor Candle

Yahrzeit marks the anniversary of the death according to the Jewish calendar. The word means "year's time" in Yiddish. Lighting the Yahrzeit candle is probably the most well-known of Yahrzeit customs.

We observe the Yarzheit (anniversary date of passing) on the day the person died according to the Jewish calendar. The candle is lit at sundown on the eve of the anniversary of the passing and the candle should remain alight for twenty-four hours.

The flame of a candle is compared to a soul. Just as a flame is never still, so too does the soul continuously strive to 'reach up' to G-d. Also, just like the human soul, the flame of the candle is something that you cannot touch and has no corporeal quality, but nevertheless you know that it is there. Watching the flickering flame one is easily led into introspection and thoughts of the departed soul.

During the first year after a loved one dies, and in the following years, one can join in the Yizkor services on the three Festivals and Yom Kippur. Yizkor is a prayer said in memory of the person. This prayer is said on Yom Kippur, Shmini Atzeret, on the last day of Passover, and the second day of Shavuot.

Click here to set your Yahrzeit/Yizkor Calendar