This year’s holidays (2024) are special, because three times during this month Jews in the Diaspora will celebrate a 3-day Yom Tov: Rosh Hashanah, the first days of Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah all flow directly into Shabbat, creating 72 hours of continuous holiness.

So how do we light the holiday and Shabbat candles during these unique 3-day holidays? Here’s a quick guide:

Rosh Hashanah

First Night (Wed.)

Light candles at the time indicated in the calendar and say two blessings:

1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl yohm hah-zee-kah-rohn.

2. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.

If you did not light at the listed time, you may still light later, but only using a pre-existing flame.

Second Night (Thurs.)

Light candles after the time indicated on the calendar. Do not light earlier. Use a pre-existing flame and repeat the same two blessings as the first night (ideally with your new fruit on the table).

Shabbat (Fri.)

Light candles before sunset, at the time indicated on the calendar. Use a pre-existing flame and say only one blessing:

  1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr shehl shah-baht koh-dehsh.

Sukkot

First Night (Wed.)

Light candles at the time indicated in the calendar and say two blessings (in the sukkah, weather permitting):

1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl yohm tov.

2. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.

If you did not light at the listed time, you may still light later, but only using a pre-existing flame.

Second Night (Thurs.)

Light candles after the time indicated on the calendar. Do not light earlier. Use a pre-existing flame and repeat the same two blessings as the first night (again, the best place to do this is in the sukkah).

Shabbat (Fri.)

Light candles before sunset, at the time indicated on the calendar. Use a pre-existing flame and say only one blessing (as in previous days, the sukkah is the ideal spot for this mitzvah):

  1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr shehl shah-baht koh-dehsh.

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah

Shemini Atzeret (Wed.)

Light candles at the time indicated in the calendar and say two blessings (in the sukkah, weather permitting, if you will eat there tonight):

1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl yohm tov.

2. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.

If you did not light at the listed time, you may still light later, but only using a pre-existing flame.

Simchat Torah (Thurs.)

Light candles after the time indicated on the calendar. Do not light earlier. Use a pre-existing flame and repeat the same two blessings as the first night (this time lighting indoors).

Shabbat (Fri.)

Light candles before sunset, before the time indicated on the calendar. Use a pre-existing flame and say only one blessing (indoors, of course):

  1. Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr shehl shah-baht koh-dehsh.

Be sure to check the exact time for your area by clicking here or download the app (all before the onset of the holiday, of course).

For more information about Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, click here.

Wishing you a Good Yom Tov and Chag Sameach!