The Lasy Days: Yom Tov

Candle Lighting
* Shabbat and all Jewish holidays always begin at sunset of the evening before. On the Sabbath and Yom Tov [festival] candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset to welcome the holiday. On the second night of Yom Tov, candles are lit no earlier than one hour after sunset.
* Two candles (minimum) are lit, then both hands are waved towards the face, symbolically drawing in the light of the candles and the sanctity of the Sabbath/Yom Tov. The eyes are covered and the blessing is recited. On the second night, Saturday night, the blessing is said first, without the Shabbat addition, and only then are the candles lit (from a pre-existing flame).

On Friday night, insert the bracketed words:
Ba’ruch ah’tah Ah’do’nai, Eh’lo’hay’nu melech ha’o’lam, ah’sher kidishanu b’mitz’vo’tav v’tzee’vanu l’hahd’leek nayr shel [Shabbat v’] Yom Tov.

Blessed are you Lord, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of [the Sabbath and] Yom Tov (festival).


On the last days of Passover one does not add the additional blessing, sheh'heh'cheh'yanu, as one does on other festivals.

Evening services are held in the synagogue.

Evening Festival Meal
A festive meal is eaten, preceded by the Festival Kiddush, ritual washing of the hands and Ha'Motzee, which is made over two whole matzot. The meal is followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y'aleh V'Yavo, "May there rise and come...", in honor of the holiday, and the Harachamon for the festival.

Because Yom Tov and Shabbat overlap, be sure to include all the Shabbat additions on Friday night and Saturday. On Saturday night, the festival Kiddush is altered to include Havdalah for the conclusion of Shabbat.

Changes in the Morning Synagogue Service
During Shacharit, the morning service, the Festival Amidah is recited.

Hallel: Hallel is a collection of Psalms that are recited on the festivals and Rosh Chodesh (the new month). Only the Half-Hallel is recited after the first (two) days of Passover. Hallel can be found in the siddur (Jewish prayerbook).

The Torah Reading

* On the seventh day of Passover, Exodus 13:17-15:26 is read in synagogue.
* On the second day of Passover, Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 is read in synagogue.
*

The maftir (additional reading) on both days is Numbers 28:26-31.

The haftorah (prophetic message) on the seventh day is from the Samuel II 22:1-51.
The haftorah on the second day is from Isaiah 10:32-12:6.

Yizkor - The Memorial Service
* The Yizkor Memorial Service is recited on the last day of all festivals -- Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot and on Yom Kippur.
* While those who have passed away are no longer able to effect their own spiritual growth, the deeds of their children may result in additional merit for their souls.
* According to some Ashkenazic customs, those whose parents are both living leave the sanctuary during Yizkor. In Sephardic custom, everyone remains in the sanctuary while the cantor recites Yizkor.

Daytime Festival Meals
A festive meal is eaten, preceded by the daytime festival Kiddush, ritual washing of the hands and HaMotzee, which is made over two whole matzot. The meal is followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y'aleh V'Yavo, "May there rise and come...", in honor of the holiday and the Harachamon for the festival.

Mincha
The afternoon service is recited with the special Festival Amidah (and the special insertions for Shabbat, as well as including the weekly Torah reading for Shabbat Mincha, when applicable).

Havdalah
At the conclusion of the second day of Yom Tov, Havdalah, separating holy days from week days, is recited in the evening Amidah. This Havdalah is followed by the formal Havdalah, which consists of only the blessing over grape juice (HaGafen) and the Havdalah blessing (HaMavdil), which can be found in the prayer book.

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