[Avodah] Shabbos Candles in Askenaz - circa 11th Century

[Ytzik Aranov]

Shalom to All Reading:

There seems to be some record of an old German Ashkenazic custom during the
time of Rashi  (circa 11th century) whereby women were instructed to light
Shabbos candles without a Bracha or, alternatively, did not light Shabbos
candles at all.  It seems amazing to me especially after researching the
halachos back through the Tur and then back to Gemara Shabbos 23, 25 and 27
(and the Rosh on these pages) and especially since the commentaries and
Rashi himself  quotes that lighting candles is a Chova – Obligation.  The
Mishna Brura, Biur Halacha, etc., all have no mention of this minhag and
treat it as a Rabbinical, generally accepted Mitzva with an equally binding
Bracha.

It could be possible that the Yeshivos of Vormaiza and Magentza might have
taught this but it never travelled beyond Ashkenaz.  By the time the Tur was
written (3 centuries later), it became globally accepted to indeed light
with a Bracha.  Apparently at the time, the minhag in Provence was the
opposite - to light with a Bracha as is accepted today.

 

Has anyone heard of this Ashkenazic custom?  

If anyone can clear this up, it would be greatly appreciated.

Ytzik Aranov à ytzik at aranov.com 

 

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