To symbolize the joy which the festival brings into the Jewish home, the mistress kindles the lights and recites the following blessing:


‏בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָֽעוֹלָֽם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל-(שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל)-יוֹם טוֹב.‎

BORUCH ATTO ADONOI ELOHENU MELECH HO‘OLOM ASHER KIDD’SHONU B’MITZVOSOV V’TZIVONU L’HADLIK NER SHEL (on Sabbath add: SHABBOS V’SHEL) YOM TOV.


‏בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָֽעוֹלָֽם. שֶׁהֶֽחֱיָֽנוּ וְקִיְּמָֽנוּ וְהִגִּיעָֽנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזְּה׃‎

BORUCH ATTO ADONOI ELOHENU MELECH HO‘OLOM SHEHEḤEYONU V’KIY’MONU V’HIGIONU LAZMAN HAZZEH.

Praised art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us by Thy commandments, and hast commanded us to kindle the (on Sabbath add: Sabbath and) festival lights.

Praised art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this season.

May our home be consecrated, O God, by the light of Thy countenance, shining upon us in blessing, and bringing us peace!

Company: Amen.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: The Union Haggadah, ed. by The Central Council of American Rabbis, at sacred-texts.com