Candles for Yom Kippur

Hi,

The general custom is to light candles for Yom Kippur, as one does for Shabbat and for Yom Tov.

One should light candles at home. The candles' purpose is home-oriented (to illuminate the meal and to help create a proper atmosphere in the home), and that's where one recites the blessing. One should not recite a blessing on candles lit in the synagogue.

Note: Technically, one who recites the blessing on the candles automatically accepts the sanctity of the day with that blessing. Therefore, one who will have to drive to the synagogue should state, before lighting, "I am not accepting Yom Kippur with my act of lighting." Then one lights, goes to synagogue, and at the synagogue declares, "I am now accepting Yom Kippur."

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 610:1-3; Mishneh Berurah 610:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai