Kindling the Yahrtzeit Candle

Before kindling the yahrtzeit candle —

The light of life is a finite flame. Like the Shabbat candle, life is kindled. It burns. It glows. It is

radiant with warmth and beauty. But soon it fades. Its substance is consumed and it is no more.

In light we see; in light we are seen. The flames dance and our lives are full. But as night follows

day, the candle of our life burns down and gutters. There is an end to the flames. We see no

more and are no more seen. And yet, we are more than a memory slowly fading into the

darkness. With our lives we give life. Something of us can never die. We move in the eternal

cycle of darkness and death, of light and of life.

At this time of yahrtzeit, I/we remember ___________. I/We recall the light and life that were a

part of our experience together. I/we give thanks for the blessed gift of memory.

נֵר יי נִשְמַת אָדָם.

Ner Adonai nishmat adam.

The light of God shines in our soul. (Proverbs 20:27)

I/We give thanks for the blessing of life,

for companionship,

and for memory.

We never lose those we love, for love is stronger than death.

So I/we kindle this light now, and as it burns,

so may the memory of ______________ continue to be an inspiration.

The light is kindled.