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candle lighting

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Rabbi David Sperling

Sivan 28, 5772
Question
Today in Toronto most shules start shabbos early. This week friday night davening starts at 7 pm and earliest candle lighting is at 725. I will be going straight from shule to someones house for dinner and I live alone. next friday night I have yarzeit b tammuz so i am a chiyuv by mincha so can not miss shule what should I do in both cases?
Answer
Shalom, Thank you for your question. If I understood you correctly, the shule davens Mincha at 7pm, then starts Kabbalat Shabbat straight away, which has them bringing Shabbat in just after plag hamincha at around 7:25pm. This causes you a problem, because you have to light candles which can only be done after plag hamincha, which means you either miss out Shabbat candles or miss out going to Shule. The best option in such a case is to ask your host (I assume his wife in this case) to have you in mind when she lights candles. As you are eating in their home their candle lighting can "cover" you also. You should make certain that you leave some lights on in your own house, so as not to stumble in the dark when you return home after dinner. By doing so you exempt your own home from needing Shabbat lights, whilst exempting your own personal obligation for candle lighting through your hosts. Blessings.
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