May a Non-Jew Light Shabbos Candles for Me?
If a person has the custom of lighting a yahrtzeit candle, but forgot to light it before shkiah (sunset) on Friday evening—and this custom is very important to them—they may ask a non-Jew to light it after shkiah, as long as it is still before tzeis hakochavim (nightfall). This is because during the time of bein hashmashos (between shkiah and tzeis hakochavim), it is permissible, in cases of great need, to ask a non-Jew to do melachos (activities) that are forbidden on Shabbos, even if they are melachos min HaTorah (Biblical prohibitions). Similarly, if a woman forgot to light Shabbos candles and realizes it only after shkiah, she may ask a non-Jew to light one candle for her (but not more than one), as long as it is still before tzeis hakochavim; after the non-Jew lit the candle, she should cover her eyes, and instead of saying the usual brachah (blessing) of “Lehadlik ner shel Shabbos Kodesh,” (To light the candle of the Holy Shabbos), she should conclude the brachah with “Al hadlakas ner shel Shabbos Kodesh” (On the lighting of the candle of the Holy Shabbos) since she did not light it herself, and is merely benefitting from the light. The same concept applies to all other melachos that are forbidden on Shabbos; if it is very important to a person to have it done, they may ask a non-Jew to do it for them, but only until tzeis hakochavim. #369?
ע״פ שו״ע אדה״ז סרס״א ס״ב. שם סרס״ג סי״א ובקו״א סק״ג וסק״ד.