Question:
Since there is electricity today, why do we still light candles, and should a man who lives by himself light Shabbos Candles with a brocha.
Answer:
Hello,
There are two reasons for lighting neiros on Shabbos, for their light, and because candles give elegance to the Shabbos table. Nowadays that we have electricity, the first reason is not so applicable, however the second reason still applies, therefore you can light with a bracha.
The truth is that the contemporary poskim[1] say, that nowadays that we have electricity, that one should light the shabbos candles, and include the electric light in his candles. This is done by turning off the lights in the dining room before lighting your neiros, then turning them on, and without talking out light your candles. This way the electric lights are included in you hadloka.
Best wishes
Sources:
[1] [1] שש"כ פ' מ"ג סע' ל"ד שבות יצחק ח"ח פ"ב אות ה', ופ"ד אות ב' מרש"ז ורב אלישיב זצ"ל, וע' ס' כבוד שבת פ"ד הערה 4 וכן בתשובות והנהגות ח"ב ס' קנ"ז שכן נהגו בביתו של ר' משה זצ"ל וכן בביתו של ר' יעקב קמינצקי זצ"ל, וכן בבאר משה ח"ה ס' קי"ג, ורבבות אפרים ח"ג ס' קס"ב.
