A Yahrtzeit Candle is lit on the Hebrew anniversary of a loved one’s death.

In Judiasm, the candle is traditionally lit on Friday evening at the start of the weekly Sabbath celebration and Saturday night during the Havdalah ritual, which ends the Sabbath.The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by lighting a candle in a special candelabrum (called Chanukkiyah) each night during the eight-day holiday to commemorate the dedication of the altar in the Temple in Jerusalem.The candle was also used in remembering a deceased loved one, especially on their Yahrtzeit, the anniversary of their death according to the Hebrew calendar, when a 24-hour candle is lit.

Similarly, on Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance for all those who perished in the Holocaust, a candle is lit to honor the victims.

 Permission granted by the National Candle Association for reprint purposes.   Tobey Craft from http://tobeyscandles.com.