Lighting Shabbos Candles, part 1 vol.2 no.16
Our Chazal, based on the passage, "And you shall declare the Shabbos a pleasurable experience" obligated one to light candles (or oil) for the sake of Shabbos. These candles should be lit in the room where one intends to eat and if possible on the table where one is eating. The lit candles are intended to enhance the pleasure of the meal and therefore should be lit in that room. In cases of dire necessity one may light the candles in a different room providing they can be seen from the site of the meal. In addition, the Rabbis required the existence of lighting in all rooms which one intends to use during the Shabbos. The reason for this is as a safety precaution so that one does not stumble and hurt oneself on Shabbos.
The obligation of lighting Shabbos candles rests mainly upon the lady of the house, who is more commonly involved in the household preparations. However, the obligation does include men and in cases of necessity even men must light Shabbos candles. If a man is concerned that Shabbos is abruptly approaching he should light the candles, despite his wife's objection. In all cases it is preferable for the man to participate in the Shabbos candle lighting by assisting in their preparation.
Under normal circumstances, once Shabbos begins, the candles must remain in their fixed position for the entire Shabbos. They can not be moved while they are lit because the candlesticks are regarded as a base for the flame, a useless item on Shabbos. Even after the candle burns out, the candlesticks remain in this status as nonusable items for Shabbos. This halachic ruling applies to the candlesticks or candelabra and even to their tray and at times to the table. If, before Shabbos began, one placed an article of value, on the tray or table, its status is altered and under limited circumstances the tray is permissible to be moved on Shabbos. One example of such circumstances is if one requires the space the tray occupies. The tray could then be removed, and while remaining in one's hands, it may be transported to the location of one's choice.
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