#55: The Mitzvah of Tosefet Shabbat (Part 1)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 261:2) writes that there is a mitzvah to add extra time to Shabbat, known as “tosefet Shabbat.” The mitzvah is fulfilled by women when they light candles and accept Shabbat, provided this is done a bit earlier than when Shabbat actually begins, which is at sunset. According to many opinions, this mitzvah is a biblical one (see Rosh Hashanah 9a and Magen Avraham 261:8).
  2. Some say that one fulfills tosefet Shabbat by accepting Shabbat even a few minutes before sunset (some say 2, others say 4 or 5), while others say one should accept Shabbat up to 15 or 20 minutes early. One of the main reasons that it is customary for women to light candles at least 18 minutes before sunset is to fulfill the mitzvah of tosefet Shabbat (see Piskei Teshuvot 261:6). Even one who must delay lighting candles for some reason still fulfills the mitzvah according to the more lenient opinions, provided it is still a few minutes before sunset (after which one should not light candles in any event).

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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.