Halachos for early Shabbos

by Rabbi David Ginsburg: To summarize Rabbi Rosenberg’s Halachos, once we move to early Shabbos we cannot light candles even one minute before the scheduled time. Lighting up to 5 minutes after the scheduled time is fine. More than 5 minutes after the scheduled time is problematic. Lighting before the scheduled time is never allowed, but there can be some leniencies regarding lighting late depending on the circumstances.

by Rabbi Jonthan Rosenberg:

When Friday night descends upon us, the average orthodox Jew can be presented with many queries. For example, if one is not attending Shul Friday evening, does that individual or family have the liberty of accepting Shabbos at night fall? If the head of the household attends services Friday night, does his acceptance of Shabbos in Shul affect the family members still at home? What about guests visiting from out of town? Are they part of the larger community or viewed as independents? What about in the case of emergency? Is there room for leniency?

The questions abound and can go on and on. Although every situation often posses its own unique circumstances and therefore should be presented to the Rabbi, there are some basic guidelines which can assist you during this season of long Shabbosim.

1. The Shulchan Aruch unequivocally states in chapter 263:12 if the majority of the congregation accepts Shabbos at a specific time, the rest of the community must adhere to their decision, even if it conflicts with their own interests. The Mishnah Berurah #51 comments that if there is more than one legitimate minyan or synagogue in town, each one is considered a separate entity and may therefore decide for its own congregants when to accept Shabbos. The implication is that an individual or family who frequents either synagogue or belongs to one synagogue which features an early and later minyan may begin Shabbos at either time.

2. The Shulchan Aruch continues to state in #13 that a guest who comes to a community which already has accepted Shabbos must immediately desist and refrain from any non-Shabbos activity.

3. The Shulchan Aruch also mentions in #4 that the earliest any individual or community may accept Shabbos is after a time period known as P'lag Ha'Mincha. Any attempt before this time to light candles with its blessing would be considered invalid and a blessing in vain.

What emerges from all the above, is that in our community it is virtually impossible during the summer months to make a late Shabbos. Being that all three Orthodox synagogues accept Shabbos earlier in the day, any individual or family is automatically swept up in the community decision. Furthermore, any guest who comes from out of town and joins us for Shabbos is affected by this acceptance.

In terms of our policy at Ahavas Sholom, we are very careful to finish Mincha prior to P'lag. This is why the times for Mincha fluctuate throughout the summer season. The Shul officially accepts Shabbos with the completion of L'cho Dodi and Mizmor Shir (sometime after P'lag) which usually corresponds to the time given for candle lighting in the bulletin. If one would attempt to light candles before the time mentioned there is a strong possibility that the act and blessing would be in vain. In terms of postponing candle lighting from its designated time, the most one could possibly wait is until the Shul recites Mizmor Shir as mentioned. The obvious problem is that one at home has no way of ascertaining when that actual moment arrives. However, it is safe to assume that the Shul will not arrive at Mizmor Shir until 20 minutes following the beginning of Mincha. Practically this allows for about a 5 minute delay for candle lighting from the time mentioned in the bulletin.

In summary, the window for candle lighting during the summer season is narrower than in the winter. Lighting too early would be a meaningless act and lighting even 10 minutes later than the time given in the bulletin, could be a violation of Shabbos.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, ZT"L in his Responsa Orach Chaim 3:38, does conjecture that since most communities only accept Shabbos early for personal convenience and not necessarily for the enhancement of the holiness of Shabbos, it is possible that individuals are not bound by the communal acceptance. His final conclusion is not to rule leniently in this matter. Therefore the above guidelines should be followed without hesitation or exception. Any deviation even if it appears to be "commonly practiced" is in violation of Halacha. If there is any emergency or special circumstance the Rabbi should be consulted as there could be special leniency in that specific situation.

It is also worthwhile to note that although one may begin the Friday night meal before night fall, there are those (Maharal of Prague) who insist that at least a k'zayis (olive volume) piece of challah be eaten after nightfall. The reason being that the three meals on Shabbos correspond to the manna which fell from heaven which was consumed on the day of Shabbos itself. The Mishnah Berurah 267:5 advises us to follow this practice when possible. Finally, one should be diligent to begin the Friday evening meal before the approach of sunset. If one delays too long the conflict of eating before reciting Shema in its proper time arises. Under most circumstances this can be avoided providing that Kiddush is made soon after returning home from Shul.