Q&A: Candles
Candles
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is a guest (a married woman / single woman / married man without his wife) who is a guest for the Friday night Sabbath meal, where the hostess lights with a blessing, obligated to light Sabbath candles in their guest room or in their own home if they return there?
Is it obligatory in a hotel / yeshiva for each person to light in the rooms as well, even if someone lit on behalf of everyone in the dining area?
Answer
There is a great deal to discuss in all this, because on the face of it the obligation is simply that there be a lit candle in one’s home, and at most one can contribute a small coin together with the homeowner. But the custom I know is that guests also light and recite a blessing.
For a summary of the laws, you can see here: https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/43431