QUESTION: If one was delayed and did not light candles before shkia (sunset), what should they do?

ANSWER: According to the Geonim, Bein Hashmashos (twilight) begins immediately following sunset. Bein Hashmashos is a period of time that Halacha views as a safek (uncertainty) whether it is day or night. Since Bein Hashmashos may be night (in which case Shabbos has already begun), it is forbidden to light candles immediately after sunset. Nonetheless, Shulchan Aruch (261:1) rules that during Bein Hashmashos, one may ask a non-Jew to light the Shabbos candles on our behalf. The duration of Bein Hashmashos is a matter of dispute. Igros Moshe (OC IV:74:40) writes that one who ends Shabbos no earlier than 50 minutes after sunset in the New York area may ask a non-Jew to light candles until 30 minutes after sunset. (This is based on Rav Moshe’s understanding of Rabbeinu Tam, which is beyond the scope of our discussion. One who does not follow Rabbeinu Tam may only ask a non-Jew to light candles until thirteen and a half minutes after sunset.)

The Beiur Halachah (261, s.v. Mi) quotes the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch Harav that after the non-Jew lights the candles, one may recite the blessing on the candles. However, the Mishnah Berurah writes that most poskim maintain that if a non-Jew lit the candles, a blessing may not be said.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.