We welcome the festival of Pesach as darkness descends. As we kindle these lights, we remember that our ancestors discovered freedom in the midst of the dark final night in Egypt. Let the candles we now light be a reflection of the light that shines within each one of us, and let that light radiate throughout our home. We praise the Source of Light that keeps alive the hope of freedom amidst the darkness of oppression.

Light the candles and recite:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha'olam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel [shabbat ve] yom tov

Blessed are you, Eternal One our God, sovereign of all world, who has made us holy with your mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the [Shabbat and] festival lights.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha'olam shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigi'anu lazman hazeh

Blessed are you, Eternal One our God, the sovereign of all worlds, who gave us life, and kept us strong, and brought us to this time.