Shabbat Times in Beijing

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, begins at sunset on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday. In Beijing, candle lighting is performed 18 minutes before sunset, following local communal custom. Havdalah, the ceremony that concludes Shabbat, is recited after nightfall (tzait haKochavim, when three medium-sized stars are visible). We display the 72-minute opinion by default; the 8.5° (GRA) opinion corresponds to approximately 36 minutes after sunset at equinox, and 16.1° (Rabbeinu Tam) to approximately 72 minutes.

The weekly Torah portion (Parashat HaShavua) this week is Bereshis, read in synagogues across Beijing on Shabbat morning.

The blessing recited when lighting Shabbat candles (Hadlakat Nerot) is one of the most cherished rituals welcoming the Sabbath. It is traditionally recited after lighting the candles, waving the hands over the flames in a welcoming gesture, and covering the eyes — so that the blessing precedes the act of enjoying the light.

In Beijing, candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset — at 17:27 this week. The minimum is one candle, though many families light two (representing “Shamor” and “Zachor”, the two words used in the Torah to command Shabbat observance), and some add a candle for each member of the household. Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 263.

Beijing's Jewish community is anchored by Chabad-Lubavitch of Beijing, which serves a rotating mix of embassy personnel, businesspeople, students, and tourists with Shabbat dinners and lunches, Torah classes, holiday events, and kosher food. The community also runs the Ganeinu International School.

Alongside Chabad, the independent Kehillat Beijing congregation gathers for Lay-led Reform-style services. The community is transient by nature — most members stay a few years — but it is close-knit, and Friday-night dinners routinely welcome first-time visitors.

• Chabad Beijing: Shabbat meals, services, and kosher food
• Ganeinu International School for community children
• Kehillat Beijing — independent congregation
• Candle-lighting offset: 18 minutes before sunset

Planning a Shabbat in Beijing? Check the full-year Shabbat schedule for Beijing and the daily Zmanim. Community details above reflect publicly listed centers and may change — contact the centers directly for current schedules and kosher arrangements.