Question:
After a man’s wife passes away, should he continue lighting the same number of Shabbos candles that she lit, or should he light only two candles? How many candles should a widower light each week?
Answer:
A widower who lights Shabbos candles should light two candles, and is not required to continue lighting the number of candles that his wife had been accustomed to light.
The source for this is found in the laws of a husband whose wife is away from home. The Poskim rule that when the husband assumes the responsibility of lighting Shabbos candles, he lights two candles, and is not obligated to light the same number that his wife customarily lit. Accordingly, after the passing of his wife, when the obligation of candle lighting now rests upon him, he assumes the standard obligation of lighting two candles. There is no obligation for him to continue his wife’s personal custom of adding candles. Of course, if he wishes to continue lighting additional candles in memory of his wife or to maintain her longstanding family custom, he may do so. However, from the standpoint of the basic halachic obligation, two candles suffice.
Sources:
Admur 263:5, 9, 11; Rebbe in the name of the Frierdiker Rebbe in Koveitz Hagahos L’Siddur Rabbeinu Hazakein p. 28; Divrei Shalom 3:73; Chayeh Halevi 1:34; Pnei Shabbos 3:4-48; Piskei Teshuvos 263:2.