Halachot and Customs
Is it permitted for a woman to do work after lighting the candles?
Question
Hello, honored rabbi,
I know that there are 20 minutes between the time of lighting Shabbat candles and sunset. I wanted to ask what kinds of work are permitted during those minutes?
I am asking according to the custom of Sephardi women.
Answer
Greetings,
According to the custom of Sephardim, the acceptance of Shabbat is not dependent on the lighting at all. Therefore, in principle, a Sephardi woman is permitted to do all kinds of work after lighting the candles, so long as sunset has not yet arrived. Nevertheless, it is proper for a woman to stipulate and make clear that she does not wish to accept Shabbat upon lighting the candles on Friday afternoon, and it is sufficient to make this stipulation once a year. If she forgot and did not make the stipulation, she may do needed work after lighting (Yalkut Yosef, Siman 263, se'if 52).
With blessing, Hillel Meirs
