In Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a time of transition, from the day that is ending to the one that is beginning, from ordinary time to sacred time.

.בָּ רוּךְ אַ תָּ ה יְ יָ, אֱ לֹהֵ ינוּ מֶ לֶ ךְ הָ עוֹלָ ם, אֲ שֶׁ ר קִ דְּ שָׁ נוּ בְּ מִ צְ וֹתָ יו וְ צִ וָּ נוּ לְ הַ דְ לִ יק נֵ ר שֶׁ ל יוֹם טוֹב

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom tov.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: Adapted from Linda Schneider & Next Year in a Just World: A Global Justice Haggadah by AJWS