Dear Rabbi Simon,
I had a question on candle-lighting. I am going to Shabbat dinner in Hendon. To avoid being very late for dinner, I would need to go to shul in Hendon (much as I will miss the Kesher experience ????). As I understand it, in general it is fine for me to light in my flat before I go to shul, on the basis that (as a man) I do not generally accept Shabbat simply by lighting the candles. [This is not the case for women–ed.] However, I assume I can’t light before Plag Hamincha [a slightly complex halakhic calculation of the earliest time prior to sunset to accept Shabbat]. However, if I wait until Plag to light, I wouldn’t be able to get to shul in Hendon until near the end of the service (even if I were to get an Uber). Is it best to wait until Plag to light, and just get to shul when I can (even if this means missing most of the service)? Or is there another approach you can recommend?
Many thanks,
Shabbetai
Dear Shabbetai
Thank you for raising a common quandary on erev Shabbos in the summer.
My recommendation is to turn on lights in your flat (as you normally would) before פלג המנחה , without reciting the blessing. No candles. Ask your hostess to have you in mind when she lights. (Although her intent is not actually essential.) In this way you have fulfilled the mitzvah of illuminating your home on Friday night (albeit doing so too early to recite the blessing, according to conventional halakhic opinion). You pray Mincha with a minyan in timely fashion, and you enjoy the ambiance provided by the Shabbat candles in the home of your dinner hosts.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Rashi Simon