shabes candles in an empty house

Asked by jay · May 27, 2003 · Shabbat

Question

Dear Rabbi, We sometimes are invited to other peoples homes for friday night/shabes dinner. What is the correct thing to do about the candles? Our practice, correctly or incorrectly has been not to light candles, since we dont feel comfortable in lving candles burning in an empty house, and they wont be burning anyway when we get home. so it seems pointless. we make a point of turning on the electric lights in the dining room before shabes, even though we wont need the light that night or tomorrow. what do you suggest

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Make the Beracha on the light. Maybe the kitchen or the entrance hall. The one you'll need the most. If all the lights were out in your house, when you come home Friday night you'll trip over everything. You certainly can use some light & you can make a Beracha on it. AA