The seder officially begins with a physical act: lighting the candles. In Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a time of transition, from the day that is ending to the one that is beginning, from ordinary time to sacred time. Lighting the candles is an important part of our Passover celebration because their flickering light reminds us of the importance of keeping the fragile flame of freedom alive in the world.

ברוך אתה יחודי אלוהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של (שבת ושל) 'ום טוב

Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel [Shabbat v'shel] Yom Tov

We Praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through sacred obligations, commanding us to kindle the light of [Shabbat and] The Festival Day.


haggadah Section: Introduction