Two Questions Regarding Candle Lighting

 

1) I am making a website for women who are not otherwise frum to encourage them to bentch licht. I have included a chart with cities and times (18 minutes before shkia). I am also including a statement about the latest time one may light after which it is better not to light. When exactly is that? How many minutes after the 18 minute time may one still light?

Shkiah – Sunset – is the last time. One must conclude everything before sunset. Lighting after sunset is a grave sin and it is better not to light than to light then. Thus, we have a window of 18 minutes, also in order to prevent people from lighting then.

2) I am in the habit of waving the match so that the flame goes out after I light candles, but didn’t yet say the bracha. I also light on the t’nai that I can do malacha up to shkiah in case I forget something.

Does that cover me for the waving out of the match? Should I be doing things differently?

One may NOT make a t’nai unless absolutely necessary. This is not deemed necessary. Men however who light candles are not bound in the matter and may make a stipulation not to accept Shabbos.

You may wave the match before the Beracha. Some have a custom not to.

 

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