Turning on Electricity After Lighting Candles
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Question
Hello, A woman who lights Shabbat candles and usually turns off the electricity, lights the candles, recites the blessing, and then turns on the electricity - 1. Is she doing it properly and beautifully? 2. Is it preferable for her to turn on the electricity after the blessing or her husband?
Answer
Hello,
This order is incorrect.
The reason for the custom of blessing after lighting the candles is that with the blessing, the woman accepts Shabbat. How can she turn on the electric light after accepting Shabbat?
On the other hand, there is an enhancement to lighting the candles when there is no electric light, so that there is an opportunity to enjoy the light of the candles, which is not so possible when there is strong electric light.
The solution is for the woman to light the candles, and before the blessing, turn on the electric light. Or her husband, who has not accepted Shabbat, or another person who has not accepted Shabbat, should turn on the light afterward.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Laws of Shabbat, Siman 263, Seif 5
There is an opinion that one blesses before lighting, and there is an opinion that one blesses after lighting
Mishnah Berurah, Siman 263, Seif Katan 27
After lighting - according to the opinion that if one blesses, it is as if she explicitly accepted Shabbat and can no longer light