#44: Women Lighting Shabbat Candles Away from Home
- Married women who are away from home for Shabbat, can, in principle, fulfill their obligation for lighting through the candle lighting at home performed by the husband or other family members (as discussed in a previous post). However, it is customary for women to light candles themselves in this situation as well (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 45:6).
- Women who are in the hospital, such as after giving birth, should try to light candles themselves in their room or near where they eat. In Israel, a designated location is usually given for lighting candles near the dining area. In the United States and other countries, where this may not be practical, they can fulfill the mitzvah by turning off and on the electric lights in the room, as discussed in previous posts (according to some opinions, without a berachah, and according to other opinions, with a berachah). Electric tea lights (sometimes provided by bikur cholim organizations) may also be used in this manner.
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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.
