Shabbat Candle Lighting Times – August 15, 2025 – Parashat Eikev
Complete guide to Shabbat candle lighting times for major cities worldwide on August 15, 2025. Includes detailed schedules for US, European and Israeli locations plus traditions.
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As we welcome Shabbat Parashat Eikevon Friday, August 15, 2025 (21 Av 5785), Jewish communities around the world prepare to light Shabbat candles, ushering in a day of rest, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Below you will find candle lighting and Havdalah timesfor major cities in the United States, Europe, and Israel, along with insights on the meaning of Shabbat candle lighting and traditions that make this day so special.
Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times – United States (Local Times)
New York, NY
Candle Lighting: 7:35 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:36 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:04 PM
Los Angeles, CA
Candle Lighting: 7:21 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:18 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:50 PM
Miami, FL
Candle Lighting: 7:38 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:31 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:07 PM
Chicago, IL
Candle Lighting: 7:33 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:35 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:03 PM
Houston, TX
Candle Lighting: 7:48 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:42 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:17 PM
Atlanta, GA
Candle Lighting: 8:01 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:56 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:30 PM
Las Vegas, NV
Candle Lighting: 7:12 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:10 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:41 PM
San Francisco, CA
Candle Lighting: 7:56 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:54 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:28 PM
Boston, MA
Candle Lighting: 7:27 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:28 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:58 PM
Washington, DC
Candle Lighting: 7:45 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:46 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:15 PM
Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times – Europe (Local Times)
London, UK
Candle Lighting: 8:04 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:17 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:33 PM
Paris, France
Candle Lighting: 8:47 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:56 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 10:16 PM
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Candle Lighting: 8:47 PM Shabbat Ends: 10:01 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 10:15 PM
Budapest, Hungary
Candle Lighting: 7:37 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:44 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:06 PM
Barcelona, Spain
Candle Lighting: 8:32 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:33 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 10:01 PM
Athens, Greece
Candle Lighting: 8:00 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:59 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:29 PM
Rome, Italy
Candle Lighting: 7:51 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:53 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:21 PM
Kiev, Ukraine
Candle Lighting: 7:59 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:10 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:27 PM
Prague, Czech Republic Candle Lighting: 8:02 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:13 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:31 PM
Zurich, Switzerland Candle Lighting: 8:19 PM Shabbat Ends: 9:26 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 9:48 PM
Candle Lighting and Havdalah Times – Israel (Local Times)
Jerusalem
Candle Lighting: 6:42 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:00 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:34 PM
Candle Lighting: 7:06 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:02 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:36 PM
Haifa
Candle Lighting: 6:55 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:03 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:36 PM
Be’er Sheva
Candle Lighting: 7:05 PM Shabbat Ends: 8:01 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:35 PM
Eilat
Candle Lighting: 7:02 PM Shabbat Ends: 7:57 PM Rabbeinu Tam: 8:32 PM
The Blessing for Lighting Shabbat Candles
After lighting the candles, it is customary for the woman of the house to cover her eyes and recite the blessing:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu L’hadlik Ner Shel Shabbat. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle.
Why Do We Light Shabbat Candles?
Shabbat candles are lit for several reasons:
Preparing for Shabbat
Before candle lighting, families prepare by tidying the home, setting the Shabbat table, preparing food in advance, and ensuring that all lights and appliances are set appropriately. Many use timers (“Shabbat clocks”) to manage electricity without desecrating Shabbat.
Creating the Shabbat Atmosphere
Parashat Eikev – Weekly Torah Portion
This week’s Torah portion, Eikev, continues Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites before entering the Land of Israel. It emphasizes the blessings that come from obeying God’s commandments, gratitude for sustenance, and the importance of humility in times of success.
Dvar Torah – Parashat Eikev
Parashat Eikev reminds us that blessings in life are tied to our faithfulness to God’s commandments. Moshe Rabbeinu warns the Israelites not to forget God when they enjoy abundance in the Land.
A key verse says: “And you shall eat and be satisfied, and bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10). From here, the Sages derive the mitzvah of Birkat HaMazon – the grace after meals.
The lesson is timeless: gratitude should not depend on scarcity. True spiritual maturity is shown when we remember the Source of our blessings even in times of plenty.
An Inspirational Shabbat Story – The Cracked Water Pot
A humble woman carried two water pots from the river each day. One was perfect, the other cracked, leaking half its contents along the path.
Feeling ashamed, the cracked pot apologized. But the woman smiled and said: “Don’t you see the flowers blooming along your side of the path? I planted seeds knowing you would water them every day. Without your crack, there would be no flowers.”
The message for Shabbat: our imperfections can become our unique contributions to the world when we embrace them with kindness and purpose.
Shabbat Recipes
Honey-Glazed Salmon with Sweet Potato
A simple yet elegant main course for Friday night. Ingredients: Salmon fillets, sweet potatoes, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, pepper. Instructions: Roast sweet potato slices until tender. In a separate pan, sear salmon with olive oil, glaze with honey and garlic, and bake until cooked through. Serve with the sweet potato for a balanced, festive dish.
Homemade Challah Bread
Nothing sets the tone for Shabbat like fresh challah. Ingredients: 2 ½ cups water, 2 eggs, 1 kg flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup oil, 1 tbsp salt, 40g fresh yeast. Instructions: Mix flour and sugar, add yeast, oil, eggs, and water. Knead, then add salt. Let rise, braid, rise again, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sesame, and bake at 180°C (350°F) until golden.
Shabbat Preparation Checklist
Why Shabbat is More Than a Day Off
Shabbat is a sanctuary in time – a sacred pause that allows us to disconnect from the noise of the week and reconnect with our soul’s purpose. It strengthens family bonds, nurtures community, and reminds us of the Creator’s presence in every detail of our lives.