What is prayer for lighting shiva candle?

The traditional practice is to light a candle (or ner, נר) in the house of mourning during shiva (the seven-day mourning period), but there is no formal blessing (bracha) recited over the shiva candle itself. The candle is lit as a sign of honor for the soul of the deceased — it is a minhag (custom), not a mitzvah requiring a blessing. A common phrase said when lighting is: "לעילוי נשמת" — "L'ilui nishmat [name of deceased]" — meaning "For the elevation of the soul of [name]."

Key Takeaways

No formal blessing is recited over the shiva candle — it is a custom (minhag), not a commandment requiring a bracha.
The candle is lit as a symbol of honor for the deceased's soul, based on the verse "נֵר ה' נִשְׁמַת אָדָם" — "The soul of man is the candle of God" [Proverbs 20:27].
The phrase "L'ilui nishmat [name]" (לעילוי נשמת) is commonly said when lighting.
The candle traditionally burns for the full seven days of shiva.
Shabbat candles are lit during shiva with their normal blessing, as Shabbat observance takes precedence.

Detailed Answer

The Source and Meaning of the Shiva Candle

The shiva candle is rooted in the verse from Proverbs 20:27:

"נֵר ה' נִשְׁמַת אָדָם" "The candle of God is the soul of man."

This verse connects the image of a flame to the human soul. Just as a candle gives light, the soul illuminates the world. Lighting a candle in the home of the mourner is therefore understood as an act of honor (kavod) for the departed soul.

No Formal Blessing

Unlike Shabbat candles or Chanukah lights, the shiva candle carries no rabbinic or biblical commandment (mitzvah) attached to it, and therefore no blessing is recited. Making a blessing where none is required would constitute a bracha l'vatala (a blessing in vain), which is itself prohibited.

This is consistent with the general halachic principle: blessings are only recited over acts that are formally commanded or established by rabbinic ordinance.

What to Say When Lighting

While there is no formal prayer, many people say:

"לעילוי נשמת [שם הנפטר/ת]" "L'ilui nishmat [name of the deceased]" "For the elevation of the soul of [name]."

Some also recite Psalm 23 ("Hashem Ro'i" — "The Lord is my Shepherd") or Psalm 91 as prayers of comfort and soul-elevation near the time of lighting, though these are not halachically required.

The Seven-Day Candle

The custom is to keep the candle burning for all seven days of shiva [Mishneh Torah, Mourning 5:1], paralleling the seven-day mourning period described in [Job 2:13], where Job's friends "sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights." In practice today, many use a pre-made 7-day yahrzeit candle for this purpose.

Shabbat During Shiva

When Shabbat falls during shiva, the regular Shabbat candle blessing ("Baruch Atah Hashem… l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat") is recited normally. The Shabbat candles fulfill both the Shabbat obligation and the honor of the deceased during that period.

A Note on Mourning Restrictions

The Talmud [Moed Katan 21a] and Rambam [Mishneh Torah, Mourning 5:1] enumerate the restrictions on mourners during shiva — including prohibitions on work, bathing, marital relations, wearing leather shoes, and Torah study. Lighting the shiva candle itself is not among the restricted acts; it is an act of honor that the mourner (or others present) may perform freely.

For personal guidance on mourning practices, consult your local rabbi or posek.