Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Forgetting to light Shabbat candles

Hi,

The Sages were very concerned that Jews should take their Shabbat preparations seriously. As such, they instituted a fine for someone who forgets to light Shabbat candles (as opposed to someone who simply isn't in a position to do it):

One who forgets to light on a given week is supposed to add one more candle each week for the rest of his/her life. In other words, one who used to light two candles would then light three each subsequent week.

A family which cannot afford the extra candles should instead use longer candles, so that they will add to the Mitzvah in that fashion.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 263:1; Mishneh Berurah 263:7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

2 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I wonder, just as an aside, if one enjoys lighting longer-lasting candles, and does so week after week, is she then obligated to always use them instead of the minimal size candles?

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  2. An interesting question, but I'd say not. I wouldn't equate that with a minhag of X number of candles.

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