## Rabbi Sacks on Yom Kippur Mahzor, Yom Kippur Eve, Candle Lighting

###### Rabbi Sacks on Yom Kippur Mahzor, Yom Kippur Eve, Candle Lighting 1
[Rabbi Sacks on Yom Kippur Mahzor, Yom Kippur Eve, Candle Lighting 1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Rabbi%20Sacks%20on%20Yom%20Kippur%20Mahzor/s/Yom%20Kippur%20Eve,_Candle%20Lighting/r/1)

**English Edition; Koren Publishers Jerusalem, 2017:**
**CANDLE LIGHTING**
Lighting candles is a positive rabbinic commandment, symbolizing *shalom bayit*, domestic peace. By creating peace in the home, we are helping to make peace in the world.
The ancient custom is for women to perform this commandment since they are the primary guardians of the home.
Normally we make a blessing over a commandment *before* performing it. In this case, however, the blessing is made afterward, so that the lighting precedes mental acceptance of the day and its prohibitions. The blessing is made while covering one’s eyes, so that the blessing follows the act but precedes its benefit (Rema, *Oḥ* 263:10).