HALACHOS OF HADLOKAS NEIROS SHEL SHABBOS; SHABBOS CANDLES
1) The Bracha recited when lighting the Shabbos candles is "Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidshanu B'Mitzvosav V'Tzivanu L'Hadlik Ner Shel Shabbos... Blessed are You Hashem, our G-d, Master of the world, who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of Shabbos". (Shulchan Aruch Siman 263:5)
Even though more than one candle is lit, the text of the Bracha remains in the singular, "Ner" and not in the plural, "Neiros", as the obligation of lighting Shabbos candles can be fulfilled even with one candle. (See Mishna Berura Siman 263:22)
2) The Ashkenazi custom is to light the candles first, cover the eyes, recite the Bracha and then uncover the eyes to have enjoyment from the lights. (See Rama Siman 263:5 where he writes to "cover the fire", however the custom is to cover the eyes. According to Kabalistic sources it is also imperative to close the eyes while reciting this Bracha, and not just to cover the eyes.)
The reason for this is that ideally the Bracha, like all brachos on Mitzvos, should be recited before the kindling (Over L'Asiyasan), but there is a concern that once the Bracha is recited it may be considered an acceptance of Shabbos and then it will be prohibited to kindle a flame. Thus the custom developed to light the flame first and cover the eyes while reciting the Bracha and that is considered as if the Bracha has been recited before kindling the flame. (See Rama Siman 263:5 and Shulchan Aruch Siman 263:10)
Some people do indeed recite the Bracha first and then light the candles. (Rama ibid. This is the custom of some who follow the Sephardic traditions. See Ohr L'Tzion Perek 18:3)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
If Shabbat has ended in a Jew's time zone but he or she manipulates electronics in another time zone where Shabbat has not ended, has he or she transgressed?
For example, sending and receiving information via the internet from a website/etc. based primarily in the latter time zone where it is still Shabbat.
Answer:
According to the Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 31: 26 this is permitted.
The only time it would be prohibited is if there is someone getting actual enjoyment from a prohibited melacha, for example: If it is still Friday by you, you may not talk on the phone with a irreligious Jew in a time zone where it is already Shabbos for him. Or, if the radio is playing on shabbos in Israel, it would be prohibited for a Jew in America, where it is still Erev Shabbos, to listen to it.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmos the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Chaim Yaakov Stein Zatzal and the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Noson Tzvi Finkel Zatzal. May we all strive to follow in their ways and may they both be Melitzei Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
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THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיקים וקדושים לברכה
Hashem said, and it became.
Which means the whole universe is His word, it's His command. When you see earth, when you see the sun, whatever phenomena you see in this universe is nothing other than a form of the words of Hashem.
It has no intrinsic existence.
From a talk by HaRav Avigdor Miller Zatzal; Taken from www.Simchashachaim.com
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות
- one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
Important Numbers
