Havdalah candle for Shabbat and Yom Kippur

Hi,

We explained here that Havdalah after Yom Kippur requires a flame that has been burning since before Yom Kippur began, whereas Havdalah after a normal Shabbat may use a flame that was lit anew after Shabbat.

Yom Kippur is on Shabbat this year. Ideally, for Havdalah after this Yom Kippur one should use a flame which has been burning since before Yom Kippur began, to remind people that this is the norm for Havdalah after Yom Kippur. However, in a year when Yom Kippur and Shabbat coincide, one who does not have a pre-lit flame may use a flame that was lit anew after Yom Kippur, since this is acceptable for the Havdalah after Shabbat.

(Mishneh Berurah 624:7; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 624:6)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Havdalah after Yom Kippur

Hi,

One must perform Havdalah after Yom Kippur, before one may eat. This Havdalah rite contains three blessings - a blessing over wine, a blessing over a multi-wicked flame, and a blessing of "HaMavdil."

The blessing over the flame is meant to show that we were not allowed to make use of fire during Yom Kippur, and now we are permitted to use fire. Therefore, the fire must be lit from a flame which remained lit (but un-used) throughout Yom Kippur. Most people do this by lighting their Havdalah candle from a 24-hour candle, or from a pilot light.

One who does not have such a flame skips that blessing.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 624)

Have a great day,
Mordechai