#33: The Proper Location for Lighting Shabbat Candles (Part 1)
- We saw in previous postings that one reason to light candles is for kavod Shabbat, to honor Shabbat. Honoring Shabbat with light is generally associated with having light at the meal, so lighting for this purpose should be done near where one eats. But the reason of shalom bayit (making sure one does not trip or get hurt in the dark) is relevant everywhere in the house.
- The Rema (263:10) writes that the important lighting is the one where one eats (the first reason above), and the Mishnah Berurah (263:2) writes that the berachah should therefore be recited (and actual candles lit) where one eats as well. This is true both for Ashkenazim and Sephardim. But all opinions agree that electric lights may be used for shalom bayit elsewhere in the house. Therefore, one should make sure to leave light on elsewhere in the house, such as in the hallway, so that one can see (Peninei Halachah 4:2, available at https://ph.yhb.org.il/01-04-02/ ).
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
