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Shabbat Candles: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Shabbat_candles.jpg|200px|right]]
[[File:Shabbat_candles.jpg|200px|right]]
There’s an obligation upon every household to have a candle lit for [[Shabbat]]. <Ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) and S”A 263:2 rule that there’s an obligation to have a candle lit in the house for [[Shabbat]]. </ref> There is a discussion whether [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is part of the mitzvah of [[Kavod Shabbat]] or [[Oneg Shabbat]].<ref>In one place the Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) writes that [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is considered [[Oneg Shabbat]], whereas in another place (Rambam [[Shabbat]] 30:5) he states that it is included in [[Kavod Shabbat]]. </ref> Either way, [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is a derabbanan mitzvah.<ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1)</ref>
There’s an obligation upon every household to have a candle lit for [[Shabbat]]. <Ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) and S”A 263:2 rule that there’s an obligation to have a candle lit in the house for [[Shabbat]]. </ref> There is a discussion whether [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is part of the mitzvah of [[Kavod Shabbat]] or [[Oneg Shabbat]].<ref>In one place the Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) writes that [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is considered [[Oneg Shabbat]], whereas in another place (Rambam [[Shabbat]] 30:5) he states that it is included in [[Kavod Shabbat]]. </ref> Either way, [[lighting Shabbat candles]] is a derabbanan mitzvah.<ref>Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1)</ref>
==Procedure==
===Beracha===
# The Beracha recited when lighting the Shabbat candles is "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech Haolam Asher Kidishanu Bimitzvotav ViTzivanu LeHadlik Ner Shel Shabbat. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 263:5, Mishna Berura 263:22 </ref>
===The order of candle lighting===
# The Ashkenazi practice is to say the Bracha of Hadlakat Nerot after lighting the candles. <Ref> Rama 263:5 </ref> However, according to Sephardim, many poskim say that women should say the Bracha before lighting, however, some say that those who have the practice of saying it after lighting should continue their practice, and if a woman dones't have a practice, she should say the bracha before lighting. <Ref> Rav Ovadyah Yosef in Sh”t Yechave Daat 2:33 and Sh”t Yabia Omer O”C 2:16 holds that a woman should say the bracha of Hadlakat Neirot beofre lighting the candles and saying it afterwards is possibly a Bracha Levatala. Menuchat Ahava (Vol 1, 4:5) agrees. The Ohr Letzion (vol 2, 18:3), however, writes that a woman who has the practice to say it after lighting should continue her practice and a woman who doesn't have a practice should say the bracha before lighting. </ref>
# A man should have the match ready in hand, make the bracha, and then light the candles; however, women should light the candles, and then make the bracha while covering her eyes or the flame so as not to benefit from the light. <ref> Rama 263:5 writes that the minhag was to light and then make the bracha while covering the flame so as not to benefit from the flame before making the bracha. Beiur Halacha s.v. Achar Hadlaka brings a dispute whether a man does the same process as a women or not. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 43:30 rules that a man should first make the bracha and then light. </ref>
#The practice is the women says a [[prayer]] for her children grow to become Torah scholars. <Ref> The practice to pray for children that will be Torah scholars is based on the Gemara [[Shabbat]] 23b that says in reward for keeping [[Shabbat]] candles, one get children who lighten the world with their Torah. The Magan Avraham 263:11 in name of Rabbenu BeChay says that it is proper for a person to pray for children that will be Torah scholars when lighting the [[Shabbat]] candles. This brought as Halacha in Kaf HaChaim 263:1 and Menuchat Ahava (vol 1 4:3). </ref>
===How many candles?===
# The minimum requirement is to have one candle. <Ref> implied for the language of Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) and S”A 263:2. </ref> However, the minhag is to have two candles. <Ref> S”A 263:1 rules that one should have two candles, one for Shamor and one for Zachor. </ref>
# Some have the minhag to have 7 candles and some have the minhag to have 10 candles. <ref>Magan Avraham 263:2 in name of the Shlah </ref>
===Where to light===
# If one is staying in a hotel for [[Shabbat]], some say that one should light an incandescent bulb with a bracha in one's private room. This may be done even if the light is in a closet or in the bathroom, however, if one lights in the bathroom, the bracha should be made outside the bathroom. However, if this option isn't possible, one should light in the dining room so that people can derive benefit from it, but one may not light with a bracha in a place that no one will get benefit from the candles. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/776128/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Reishit_Bikkurim:_A_Guide_to_Shavuot_Observance Rav Hershel Schachter in a published pamphlet about Hilchot Shavuot] (p. 3)</ref>
# There is a dispute whether one can light Shabbat candles in a place that is already lit up with electric lights. <ref>[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=19979&pgnum=190 Or Letzion 2:18:13] assumes that one can't fulfill the mitzvah of Shabbat candles with electric lights and concludes that one can light Shabbat candles there even if the electric lights are on in that room. Other suggestions to support this approach include that of the Klosenberg Rebbe (cited by Radiance of Shabbos p. 20 n. 3) who says that it is still a recognizable honor to light candles for Shabbat more than it is to have electric lights. Rav Shlomo Zalman (Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata ch. 43 n. 171) suggests a similar idea. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 5:20) suggests another possibility. Perhaps there's an obligation to light candles even though we have electric lights because maybe the electricity will go out. However, others hold that one must turn off the electric lights before lighting as is mentioned below.</ref>Therefore, some say that one should turn off the electric lights, turn them back on for the sake of Shabbat, light the regular candles, and then say the bracha.<ref>Such was Rav Moshe Feinstein's practice as cited by Radiance of Shabbos (p. 20)</ref> Others say to turn off the lights, light the regular candles, and then turn on the electric lights. <ref>Rav Soloveitchik (cited in Nefesh HaRav p. 156), Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 43:34</ref>


==Women and candle lighting==
==Women and candle lighting==
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# However, the obligation of setting up the wicks and oil should be done by the men of the house. <Ref> Shaar HaKavanot 61d, Magan Avraham 263:7, Mishna Brurah 263:12 </ref>
# However, the obligation of setting up the wicks and oil should be done by the men of the house. <Ref> Shaar HaKavanot 61d, Magan Avraham 263:7, Mishna Brurah 263:12 </ref>
# The minhag is that the husband of a woman who gave birth that week, lights [[Shabbat]] candles for his wife.<Ref> Mishna Brurah 263:11. Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:32:7 writes that essentially the woman who gave birth can light but the minhag is not to. </ref>
# The minhag is that the husband of a woman who gave birth that week, lights [[Shabbat]] candles for his wife.<Ref> Mishna Brurah 263:11. Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:32:7 writes that essentially the woman who gave birth can light but the minhag is not to. </ref>
==Where to light==
# If one is staying in a hotel for [[Shabbat]], some say that one should light an incandescent bulb with a bracha in one's private room. This may be done even if the light is in a closet or in the bathroom, however, if one lights in the bathroom, the bracha should be made outside the bathroom. However, if this option isn't possible, one should light in the dining room so that people can derive benefit from it, but one may not light with a bracha in a place that no one will get benefit from the candles. <ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/776128/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Reishit_Bikkurim:_A_Guide_to_Shavuot_Observance Rav Hershel Schachter in a published pamphlet about Hilchot Shavuot] (p. 3)</ref>
# There is a dispute whether one can light Shabbat candles in a place that is already lit up with electric lights. <ref>[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=19979&pgnum=190 Or Letzion 2:18:13] assumes that one can't fulfill the mitzvah of Shabbat candles with electric lights and concludes that one can light Shabbat candles there even if the electric lights are on in that room. Other suggestions to support this approach include that of the Klosenberg Rebbe (cited by Radiance of Shabbos p. 20 n. 3) who says that it is still a recognizable honor to light candles for Shabbat more than it is to have electric lights. Rav Shlomo Zalman (Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata ch. 43 n. 171) suggests a similar idea. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 5:20) suggests another possibility. Perhaps there's an obligation to light candles even though we have electric lights because maybe the electricity will go out. However, others hold that one must turn off the electric lights before lighting as is mentioned below.</ref>Therefore, some say that one should turn off the electric lights, turn them back on for the sake of Shabbat, light the regular candles, and then say the bracha.<ref>Such was Rav Moshe Feinstein's practice as cited by Radiance of Shabbos (p. 20)</ref> Others say to turn off the lights, light the regular candles, and then turn on the electric lights. <ref>Rav Soloveitchik (cited in Nefesh HaRav p. 156), Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 43:34</ref>


==Obligation of a Guest==
==Obligation of a Guest==
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# It's preferable to light with olive oil, if one doesn't have olive oil, the next best is all other oils that burn with a clear flame, and lastly, wax candles are also acceptable. <ref> S"A 264:6 writes that olive oil is preferable to other oils and Mishna Brurah 264:23 adds that wax candles are inferior to oil candles. This is also the opinion of Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 43:4 and Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 187). </ref>
# It's preferable to light with olive oil, if one doesn't have olive oil, the next best is all other oils that burn with a clear flame, and lastly, wax candles are also acceptable. <ref> S"A 264:6 writes that olive oil is preferable to other oils and Mishna Brurah 264:23 adds that wax candles are inferior to oil candles. This is also the opinion of Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 43:4 and Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 187). </ref>
# Many poskim hold that if one can’t light with candles, one may light an electric bulb with a bracha. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata 43:4 rules that one has what to rely on to make a bracha upon lighting an electric bulb as [[Shabbat candles]]. Rav Mordechai Willig (“The Positive Mitzvos of [[Shabbos]],” min 49-51), Yabia Omer O.C. 2:17, and Rav Henkin (Eidut LeYisrael p. 122) agree.  See also The Radiance of [[Shabbos]] (p. 12) who quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that one should not recite a bracha on an electric light. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata 43:4 rules that one has what to rely on to make the bracha on an electric bulb with the qualification that it's lit for kavod [[shabbat]]. Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Yalkut Yosef [[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 188, Yabia Omer OC 2:17) agrees that one can make a bracha on it but emphasizes that it's a last option and that preferably one should have a designation that the bulb is for [[Shabbat]] candles.</ref> Some say that this only includes incandescent bulbs and not fluorescent.<Ref>Rav Hershel Schachter (“Lighting [[Shabbos]] Candles,” min 36-7) holds that while one may light an incandescent bulb with a bracha, one may not light a fluorescent or neon bulb with a bracha.</ref>
# Many poskim hold that if one can’t light with candles, one may light an electric bulb with a bracha. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata 43:4 rules that one has what to rely on to make a bracha upon lighting an electric bulb as [[Shabbat candles]]. Rav Mordechai Willig (“The Positive Mitzvos of [[Shabbos]],” min 49-51), Yabia Omer O.C. 2:17, and Rav Henkin (Eidut LeYisrael p. 122) agree.  See also The Radiance of [[Shabbos]] (p. 12) who quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that one should not recite a bracha on an electric light. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] Kehilchata 43:4 rules that one has what to rely on to make the bracha on an electric bulb with the qualification that it's lit for kavod [[shabbat]]. Rav Ovadyah Yosef (Yalkut Yosef [[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 188, Yabia Omer OC 2:17) agrees that one can make a bracha on it but emphasizes that it's a last option and that preferably one should have a designation that the bulb is for [[Shabbat]] candles.</ref> Some say that this only includes incandescent bulbs and not fluorescent.<Ref>Rav Hershel Schachter (“Lighting [[Shabbos]] Candles,” min 36-7) holds that while one may light an incandescent bulb with a bracha, one may not light a fluorescent or neon bulb with a bracha.</ref>
==How many candles?==
# The minimum requirement is to have one candle. <Ref> implied for the language of Rambam ([[Shabbat]] 5:1) and S”A 263:2. </ref> However, the minhag is to have two candles. <Ref> S”A 263:1 rules that one should have two candles, one for Shamor and one for Zachor. </ref>
# Some have the minhag to have 7 candles and some have the mninhag to have 10 candles. <ref>Magan Avraham 263:2 in name of the Shlah </ref>
==The order of candle lighting==
# The Ashkenzi practice is to say the Bracha of Hadlakat Nerot after lighting the candles. <Ref> Rama 263:5 </ref> However, according to Sephardim, many poskim say that women should say the Bracha before lighting, however, some say that those who have the practice of saying it after lighting should continue their practice, and if a woman dones't have a practice, she should say the bracha before lighting. <Ref> Rav Ovadyah Yosef in Sh”t Yechave Daat 2:33 and Sh”t Yabia Omer O”C 2:16 holds that a woman should say the bracha of Hadlakat Neirot beofre lighting the candles and saying it afterwards is possibly a Bracha Levatala. Menuchat Ahava (Vol 1, 4:5) agrees. The Ohr Letzion (vol 2, 18:3), however, writes that a woman who has the practice to say it after lighting should continue her practice and a woman who doesn't have a practice should say the bracha before lighting. </ref>
# A man should have the match ready in hand, make the bracha, and then light the candles; however, women should light the candles, and then make the bracha while covering her eyes or the flame so as not to benefit from the light. <ref> Rama 263:5 writes that the minhag was to light and then make the bracha while covering the flame so as not to benefit from the flame before making the bracha. Beiur Halacha s.v. Achar Hadlaka brings a dispute whether a man does the same process as a women or not. Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 43:30 rules that a man should first make the bracha and then light. </ref>
#The practice is the women says a [[prayer]] for her children grow to become Torah scholars. <Ref> The practice to pray for children that will be Torah scholars is based on the Gemara [[Shabbat]] 23b that says in reward for keeping [[Shabbat]] candles, one get children who lighten the world with their Torah. The Magan Avraham 263:11 in name of Rabbenu BeChay says that it is proper for a person to pray for children that will be Torah scholars when lighting the [[Shabbat]] candles. This brought as Halacha in Kaf HaChaim 263:1 and Menuchat Ahava (vol 1 4:3). </ref>


==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Shabbat]]
[[Category:Shabbat]]
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