Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Times: Find Your Candle Lighting Times
Find accurate Shabbat candle lighting and Havdalah times for your city. We calculate halachic times for over 500 cities worldwide.
About Shabbat Candle Lighting
Shabbat candle lighting marks the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday night. The custom is to light candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday, welcoming the day of rest with warmth and light.
Havdalah, the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat, is observed after nightfall on Saturday. The timing varies by community custom — some follow the 42-minute calculation while others wait 50 minutes after sunset (Rabbeinu Tam).
Each week, a different Torah portion (Parsha) is read in synagogues around the world, connecting Jewish communities through shared study and reflection.
Our Shabbat times are calculated using precise astronomical data for each city, ensuring accurate candle lighting and Havdalah times based on your location. Times are updated automatically each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do you light Shabbat candles?
Shabbat candles are traditionally lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening. In Jerusalem, the custom is 40 minutes before sunset, and in other Israeli cities it is 20 minutes. The exact time varies by your location and changes each week as sunset shifts throughout the year.
What time does Shabbat end?
Shabbat ends after nightfall on Saturday evening. The most common custom is 42 minutes after sunset, when three stars become visible. Some communities follow Rabbeinu Tam and wait 50 minutes or longer. The Havdalah ceremony marks the official end of Shabbat.
What is the difference between 42-minute and 50-minute Havdalah?
The 42-minute Havdalah follows the standard halachic opinion for when three stars appear. The 50-minute time follows Rabbeinu Tam, who calculated a later nightfall. Many Sephardic and some Ashkenazi communities follow the 50-minute custom. We show both times so you can follow your community practice.
How are Shabbat times calculated?
Shabbat times are calculated using precise astronomical data for each city's geographic coordinates and timezone. We compute the exact moment of sunset for your location, then subtract the appropriate number of minutes for candle lighting. All calculations use the Hebcal library for halachic accuracy.