Learn Hebrew

Passover holiday candles are lit by the (eldest) woman of the house no later than 18 minutes before sundown on Nisan 14 (i.e., on Erev Pesach). After kindling the candles, she waives her hands over the flames three times (as if welcoming in the holiday), and covering her eyes with her hands (so as not to see the candles burning) sings (or says):

The rabbinical version:

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam,
asher kideshanu bemitzvotav ve-tsivanu lehadlik
ner shel (shabbat v'shel) yom tov.

"Blessed art thou, Lord our God, Master of the universe,
who sanctifies us with Your commandments, and commanded us
to kindle the light (of shabbat and of) the holiday."

Note that if Pesach occurs on Shabbat, you insert "Shabbat v'shel" before the ending to yield: "...Shabbat v'shel yom tov."

A Messianic Version (preferred)

Since Yeshua (Jesus) was born of a woman, born under the Torah (Gal 4:4), it is fitting that a woman begins the Seder and brings light to the table.  As we look upon the candles, we remember the truth that the Mashiach is Or Ha'olam amiti, the true Light of the world....

And since the Passover Seder centers on the Person and Work of Yeshua as Seh Elohim, the Lamb of God, it is fitting to begin the Seder with an acknowledgment of His glory and presence.  We therefore open our Seder with prayer offered to the Father in His Name.

For the next step of the Seder, click the Kadesh button at the top of the page.

<< Return


 

Hebrew for Christians
Copyright © John J. Parsons
All rights reserved.