The berachah men recite on Shabbat candles

Hi,


In yesterday's email I noted that women generally recite the blessing after lighting Shabbat candles, out of concern that reciting the blessing might count as accepting Shabbat.

If a man is lighting before going to shul and davening minchah (the afternoon, pre-Shabbat prayer), it is clear that he is not accepting Shabbat when he recites the blessing. Therefore, some counsel men who light to recite the blessing before lighting, just as one generally recites blessings before their associated mitzvot.

In practice, men may recite the blessing before or after lighting, but if reciting before lighting then they should make sure to keep in mind that they are not accepting Shabbat with that blessing.

(Yesterday's footnotes, plus Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 263:13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai