Question:
If a woman is lighting Shabbos candles, but does not want to accept Shabbos at that time. She has this in mind at the time. Can she do that? If so, does she make the bracha first, and then light like all other brachos before mitzvot. That we say the bracha before doing the mitzva?
Answer:
L’chatchila the minhag of women is that they accept Shabbos when they light their candles. If there is a true need then she is allowed to make such a condition, that although she is lighting her candles, she is not yet mekabel (accept) Shabbos. A woman who is lighting with a condition should say the bracha before lighting her candles.
Best wishes
Sources:
Aruch Hashulchan 263-13, Eshel Avrohom (Butatch) 263-5, Shmras Shabbos Khilchoso 43 ftnt. 155, Kavod V’oneg Shabbos pg. 26.
Additional reading:
- Candle lighting when bringing in early Shabbos in the summer
- Man lighting Shabbat Candles
- Extra candle if you forget to light Shabbos candles
- Purposely waiting until the 18 minutes are up
- Can one use electric tealights as Shabbos candles?
- Relighting Shabbos candles
- Shabbos lighting for single women: