Ask the Rabbi · Shabbat
Must a newcomer follow the Jerusalem candle-lighting time?
Answered by Rav Yaron Chodorov Machine translation · Original
Question
Greetings to the Rav. I am new to the neighborhood and to the city. There are many here who light Shabbat candles according to the custom of Jerusalem, at an earlier time than usual. Am I also obligated to conduct myself this way?
Answer
Shalom u-verachah
The residents of Jerusalem took upon themselves to light candles 40 minutes before sunset, and following this the practice was adopted in Petach Tikvah as well
But the custom of the Sephardim is not to follow the Jerusalem time
Regarding your question, it is fitting and proper to follow the Jerusalem time, but there is no obligation, especially since this is not the custom of all the people of the city
Ketivah va-chatimah tovah