Shabbat candles for those who cannot see

Hi,

We have been learning about Shabbat candles.

A woman who cannot see still lights for the sake of others in the home.

If she has a husband who can see, he should recite the blessing, since he gets the main benefit. If others are lighting their own candles, they should recite the blessing, for the same reason. However, if the only other residents are not lighting their own and are not her husband, she should recite the blessing.

(Mishneh Berurah 263:14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

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

When to recite the berachah for Shabbat candles

Hi,

In Friday's halachah I mentioned a blessing one recites "before lighting." The question of when one recites the blessing is actually subject to debate:

1. In general, one who is about to perform a mitzvah recites the blessing for the mitzvah before performing the mitzvah, and so one should recite the blessing before lighting;

2. Reciting this blessing might constitute accepting Shabbat, and therefore one could not recite the blessing and then light the candles!

Because of concern #2, the general practice is to light and then recite the blessing afterward. To mitigate concern #1, the lighter doesn't look at the candles until after reciting the blessing; this helps somewhat, because one has not benefited from the mitzvah until after the blessing.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 263:5; Mishneh Berurah 263:26-27)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The blessing on lighting Shabbat candles

Hi,

We have been learning about lighting Shabbat candles.

Before lighting candles, one recites the blessing thanking Gd for the mitzvah "l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat להדליק נר של שבת" "to light the Shabbat lamp." Even one who is lighting multiple candles still uses the singular expression, because the essential mitzvah is to kindle just one light.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 263:5; Mishneh Berurah 263:22)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The role of men in lighting Shabbat candles

Hi,

We have been learning about Shabbat candles.

We have said that although men and women are both obligated to light Shabbat candles, first choice goes to women. Men should still take a hand in the mitzvah, though, by setting up the candles.

For this reason, men in some households light the candles before their wives do, and then extinguish them, so that the wicks will kindle more easily for their wives.

(Mishneh Berurah 263:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Shabbat candles: A mitzvah for women or for households?

Hi,

We have been learning about lighting Shabbat candles.

The obligation of lighting Shabbat candles is not women-specific; men are obligated to light candles as well. However, first-choice rests with the woman if she wishes to be the one to light.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 263:2-3; Mishneh Berurah 263:11-12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

What if I forget to light Shabbat candles?

Hi,

We have been learning about lighting Shabbat candles.

One who forgets to light Shabbat candles is supposed to then light an extra candle, or at least an extra-long candle, on every subsequent Shabbat.

This does not apply to a person who was in an unavoidable situation in which lighting was impossible.

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

Added note: This also does not apply if a person did other things to make sure there would be light for Shabbat, such as turning on electric lights in the dining room.

Have a great day,
Mordechai