- Q. Hashem Bless you Rov. I once did early mincha/marriv erev Shabbat to take Shabbat in early, and when we got to my host's home (well before shekiah - sunset), he found out his wife had not lit candles yet and said we will wait outside until she does.
I understand that R. Moshe Zt’l says that ones wife should not be doing work for the husbands sake at that point and that several Poskim say that the women should ensure that they have finished performing any necessary melachos, before lighting the Shabbos candles, and accepted Shabbos by the time the husband returns home from shul and that It would be inappropriate for the head of the household to return home from shul after accepting Shabbos to find his family members still performing melacha.
However, is there actually a source to say that he should not enter his home until she does light?!
The only thing I can think of is that the malachim (Angels) that accompany him home, are not fond of finding the candles not lit, (Gemara in Shabbos 119b).
Could this be an actual source for what my host did (stay outside)? are you aware of any Poskim that recommend this? What if the weather had been very bad or I'm an older person that just needs somewhere to sit Thanks!
A. The opinion of most of our Rabonim is that he may enter and his wife can still light the Shabbos candles. See further shailos.
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