Candle-Lighting when Mom’s Away

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I’m preparing towards leaving the country for a few months, while my husband stays here. We were trying to figure out shabbat candle lighting while I’m away from home.
I usually light 6 candles, but sometimes when not home I light only 2. Our daughters each light 1 candle.
I guess I should continue lighting as usual, 2 or 6,whatever is available?
Question is how should my husband light- 2 or 6? With a bracha?

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Asked on March 29, 2022 2:04 pm
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Private answer

Every household needs the kevod Shabbat (honor of Shabbat), oneg Shabbat (pleasure in Shabbat), and shalom bayit (peace in the home) that Shabbat candles provide. (Click here and here to learn more about these and other aspects of candle-lighting.)

In this case, your apartment abroad will be your temporary household for the months that you are away, so you should continue to light candles there with a beracha. Since your custom is to light six candles at home, you should try to keep that up in the new arrangement, lighting six in the apartment and two when going elsewhere for Shabbat.

Since your family will remain at home, your husband should light candles there with a beracha. He can light just two, though, since that is the standard and he has not personally taken on the custom of lighting more.

Your daughters can continue as usual.

Derech tzelecha!

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Answered on March 29, 2022 2:05 pm