Yahrzeit

Richard B. Aiken

Timing

If the person was buried before the passage of two sunsets after death:

  • Yahrzeit day is the anniversary date of the day he or she died.

If the person was NOT buried before the passage of two sunsets after death:

  • First yahrzeit is one year after the day he/she was buried.
  • Subsequent yahrzeits will be on the day he/she died.

Candle

Day of Yahrzeit

Lighting a yahrzeit candle on the yahrzeit of a parent is a universal custom but not a halacha.

How Many Candles

Yahrzeit and Yizkor

One candle is lit on the yahrzeit/anniversary of the date a parent died.

Note: If both parents died on the same day, light two candles on the yahrzeit day (but only one on yizkor day).

One per Household

For a deceased parent on a yahrzeit or yizkor day, only one candle needs to be lit in each home where any of a parent's children are at sunset of that evening.

Examples:

  • If two siblings (or more) are in the same residence on the night of the yahrzeit, just light one yahrzeit candle.
  • If all siblings are in different homes, each sibling lights one yahrzeit candle.

Fasting on Yahrzeit of Parents

It is a good custom (but not halacha) to fast on the yahrzeit of one's parents, since it is a kind of repentance (teshuva).

Copyright 2015 Richard B. Aiken. Halacha L’Maaseh appears courtesy of www.practicalhalacha.com Visit their web site for more information.

This material is provided for informational purposes only – not a substitute for the consultation of a competent rabbi.