We are lighting these candles now. Don’t interrupt if you’re a gentile. The Jewish day is starting and nobody likes to be interrupted during their morning routine. Morning you say? For we the traditionally sad the day begins in the evening. Much like vampires and Goth kids.

In the Jewish tradition—this tradition—every ceremony starts with the lighting of the candles. We do this to remind us of our saintly duty as the chosen people and to remind the big man upstairs, G-d, of his professed eternal love for us, his chosen people.

BLESSING OF THE CANDLES:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל [שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל] יוֹם טוֹ

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu L’hadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us that we kindle the Yom Tov (Holiday) lights.


haggadah Section: Introduction