Q. A Widowed husband that lives with his daughters, should he light the Shabbat candles or one of his daughters?
A. Poskim disagree as to who takes precedence in lighting the candles, the widowed man of the house, as it is his obligation, or his above the age of Bas Mitzva daughter, as she is a female and this mitzvah is traditionally performed by females when possible.
Horav Moshe Feinstein ZT'l rules that the father takes precedence. (The Radiance of Shabbos, p. 7- See also Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchaso 43 note 46)
Other Poskim maintain that either one of them can light the main candles and recite the Bracha and exempt the other, while the other should kindle the lights in the other rooms of the home, as those are also a part of the Mitzvah. ( Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlit"a quoted in Or Haner Perek 1:4 note 25, Halacha for Today)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that it is preferred for the Bas Mitzva daughter to light the Shabbos candles for the purpose of chinuch.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
