Related reading: Zmanim in Jerusalem and Zmanim: Jewish Halachic Times of the Day.
Shabbat candle-lighting times should answer three questions right away: which city are you in, when does Shabbat begin, and when does it end. A strong page also shows the weekly Torah portion, the Hebrew date, print or PDF options, and a short explanation of why the times change from city to city and from week to week.
This page is designed as a practical tool for the coming Shabbat and future Shabbat dates, but it is not a halachic ruling. Candle lighting, Shabbat start time and Havdalah depend on location, date, time zone, calculation method and local custom. The page should always display the data source, selected city and calculation method, and users should consult their community calendar or rabbi for practical questions.
Shabbat Candle-Lighting Times at a Glance
- Goal: show candle-lighting time, Shabbat start, Shabbat end and Havdalah by city and date.
- Audience: families, students, worshippers, communities, teachers and Shabbat organizers.
- Core information: city, Gregorian and Hebrew date, Torah portion, candle-lighting time, sunset, Shabbat end and Havdalah.
- Recommended experience: a "coming Shabbat" card at the top, city selection, today/next Shabbat/custom date controls, print, PDF and a Shabbat quiz link.
- Game connection: a Shabbat quiz that teaches children and adults how Shabbat arrives through time, light, Torah portion and family preparation.
What Should Appear at the Top of the Page?
Most people searching for "Shabbat candle-lighting times" want a quick answer, not a long introduction. The first section should therefore be a clear, practical card.
| Element | What to Show |
|---|---|
| City | The selected city, such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba or another location |
| Date | Gregorian and Hebrew date for the coming Shabbat |
| Torah portion | The weekly portion, plus a note for special Shabbatot when relevant |
| Candle lighting | Candle-lighting time according to the active city and method |
| Shabbat end | Shabbat end or Havdalah time according to the active method |
| Actions | Change city, next Shabbat, print, PDF, share and Shabbat quiz |
Add a short accuracy note next to the card: "Times are shown according to the selected city and method. Check local community custom in borderline cases."
Why Do Candle-Lighting Times Change by City?
Shabbat begins around sunset, and sunset does not happen at the same minute everywhere. A city located farther west, east, north, south or at a different elevation can have a slightly different time. There is no single Shabbat time for an entire country or for the world.
There are also different customs for how many minutes before sunset candles are lit. In many places in Israel, candle lighting is shown a fixed number of minutes before sunset, while Jerusalem is commonly shown earlier according to local custom. A high-quality page does not need to decide for every community; it should clearly show the active method.
Shabbat Start, Candle Lighting and Shabbat End
Candle-Lighting Time
Candle-lighting time is when the home welcomes Shabbat through lighting candles. From a user-experience perspective, this is the most requested number. It should be large, clear, easy to share and easy to print.
Shabbat Start
Many calendars use "Shabbat start" as a general phrase for the time when users should be ready for Shabbat. The page should clarify whether it is showing candle-lighting time, sunset, or both. Showing both helps prevent confusion.
Sunset
Sunset is the astronomical anchor behind many of the calculations. Even if users are not searching for sunset itself, showing it as secondary information helps explain the context.
Shabbat End and Havdalah
Shabbat ends after nightfall according to the selected calculation method. Some calendars show Havdalah by minutes after sunset, while others use degrees below the horizon. The method must be displayed, especially if the page is used for printing or sharing.
The Weekly Torah Portion Inside the Shabbat Card
Shabbat times do not stand alone. For families, students and communities, each Shabbat is also connected to the weekly Torah portion. The top card should include the parashah name and link to the site's Torah portion page.
Recommended structure:
- "This Shabbat: Parashat [name]."
- Link to a summary, Dvar Torah and quiz.
- Note special Shabbatot when relevant, such as Shabbat Chazon, Shabbat Nachamu or Shabbat Shekalim.
- Allow users to share the card with family or a classroom group.
Printable Shabbat Candle-Lighting Times or PDF
Users looking for "printable Shabbat candle-lighting times" or "Shabbat candle-lighting times PDF" need a short, clean and practical page. It can work for a refrigerator at home, a synagogue noticeboard, a classroom or a Shabbat group.
Recommended print sheet:
- Title: Shabbat Candle-Lighting Times.
- Selected city.
- Gregorian and Hebrew date.
- Weekly Torah portion.
- Candle-lighting time.
- Sunset time.
- Shabbat end/Havdalah time.
- Data source and calculation method.
- One short Shabbat quiz question.
Shabbat Quiz
Shabbat times are a natural learning opportunity. Instead of showing only hours, the weekly card can become a family moment: what is this week's portion, why do we light before sunset, and what is the difference between Shabbat starting and ending?
Sample questions:
- Why are Shabbat candles lit before sunset and not after it?
- What do you need to choose for an accurate time: a city or only a country?
- What is the difference between candle-lighting time and sunset?
- Why does Shabbat end time depend on a calculation method?
- Which Torah portion is read this coming Shabbat?
- How can Shabbat times help a family prepare better for Shabbat?
Short Family or Classroom Activity
Choose one city and open its Shabbat card. Ask each participant to find one detail: candle-lighting time, Shabbat end, weekly portion or Hebrew date. Then ask: "Which detail helps us prepare for Shabbat in practice?" The activity connects calendar, Torah portion and Shabbat habits at home.
Recommended User Experience
Interface Elements
- A coming Shabbat card at the top of the page.
- City search with autocomplete.
- Date selection or a shortcut to next Shabbat.
- Weekly or monthly times table for planning ahead.
- Print and PDF buttons.
- Share button for family or community use.
- Links to the Shabbat quiz and weekly Torah portion.
System States
- Loading: "Shabbat times are loading for your selected city."
- City not found: "We could not find that city. Try a nearby city or another location."
- Data error: "We could not load Shabbat times right now. Please also check your local community calendar."
- After Shabbat: clear movement to the next Shabbat.
- Differences between calendars: show the method and data-source note.
FAQ
What are Shabbat candle-lighting times?
Shabbat candle-lighting times are the times for lighting candles before Shabbat begins, according to city, date and calculation method. They are usually shown together with sunset, Shabbat end and the weekly Torah portion.
Why do I need to choose a city?
Because sunset and nightfall vary by location. Even within one country, there may be differences between cities, so city selection improves accuracy.
Is candle-lighting time the same as sunset?
No. Candle-lighting time is usually earlier than sunset, according to local custom and the calendar's method. Showing both times helps prevent confusion.
When does Shabbat end?
Shabbat ends after nightfall according to the selected calculation method or local custom. Different calendars may show different times, so the method should be visible.
What is the connection between Shabbat times and the weekly Torah portion?
Each Shabbat also has a Torah portion. Including the portion in the time card helps families, students and communities prepare for Shabbat in both time and content.
Can Shabbat candle-lighting times be printed?
Yes. A print or PDF version should include city, date, Torah portion, candle-lighting time, Shabbat end, data source and calculation method.
Does this page replace a community calendar or rabbinic ruling?
No. It is a practical aid. For borderline cases, local customs or halachic questions, users should consult their community calendar or rabbi.
Source and License Notes
Sources reviewed: the Western Wall calendar page as a benchmark for a practical Jewish calendar tool; Hebcal for information structure around Shabbat times, candle lighting, Havdalah and Torah portion; Hebcal API documentation for possible data use and attribution; and Sefaria as a Jewish learning context for the weekly Torah portion. This content is original and does not copy wording, design, tables, code, images or data from the sources. Actual Shabbat times should be loaded from a licensed and reliable data source, with appropriate attribution and a visible calculation method.
Developer Implementation Notes
Recommended schema: `WebApplication` for the tool, `Article` for the explanatory layer, ` FAQ Page`, `BreadcrumbList` and `HowTo` for printing or weekly use. Ensure full RTL support on the Hebrew page, stable city search, correct time zone and daylight-saving handling, visible calculation method, mobile accessibility, and a clear error state when the data source is unavailable.