As with every major Jewish holiday, women and girls light candles on the eve of Yom Kippur
Here’s how:
On Yom Kippur eve (Sunday, Sept. 20), light a “pre-existing flame” which will be used for Havdalah the following night. See: What Is a Pre-Existing Flame?
Then, 18 minutes before sundown, light candles and say two blessings:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr nayr shehl Shah-baht veh-shel yohm hah-ki-poo-rim.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of the Shabbat and Yom Kippur.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hig-ee-yah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
For local candle-lighting times: Chabad.org/candles
NOTE: If you intend to drive to synagogue for the Kol Nidrei prayers, have in mind while lighting the candles that you are not yet accepting upon yourself the sanctity of the holiday. Then head off to synagogue to arrive well before sunset.
Tune in to the Joy
Although Yom Kippur is the most solemn day of the year, it is suffused with an undercurrent of joy; it is the joy of being immersed in the spirituality of the day and expresses confidence that G‑d will accept our repentance, forgive our sins, and seal our verdict for a year of life, health and happiness.
Wishing you an easy and meaningful fast. Gemar Chatimah Tovah!
