The two days of the holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (in Israel, only one day) constitute a major holiday (yom tov). Women and girls light holiday candles each evening, taking care not to light on Shabbat.

Here’s how:

Night One

On Shemini Atzeret eve (Fri, Oct. 2), light a “preexisting flame” which will be used to light candles again 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 שֶׁל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shehl Shah-baht veh-shel yohm tov.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle the Shabbat and Yom Tov light.

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.

Night Two

Candle-lighting and all meal prep for the second night must take place after Shabbat is completely over. So on On Simchat Torah eve (Sat, Oct. 3), after night has fallen, say:

בָּרוּךְ הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְקֹדֶשׁ

Bah-rookh hah-mahv-deel bayn koh-desh li-koh-desh

Blessed is the One who separates between (the) holiness (of Shabbat) and (the) holiness (of the holiday).

Then prepare and light your candles (from your pre-existing flame), and say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב

Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm, ah-shehr ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nayr shel yohm tov.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle the Yom Tov light.

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

It’s the Final Hurrah

Simchat Torah is the grand finale of a season that began with the solemn repentance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and then transitioned into the joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. The sages compare this final day to the following analogy: A king threw a grand feast for seven days. All citizens of the kingdom were invited for the seven days of partying. He then told his loved ones: We have fulfilled our duty to the citizenry. Now let me and you continue with what remains.

This is our final party with G‑d before we enter the year ahead, supercharged and inspired by the holiday.

Chag Sameach!