לְה ַֽעֲלֹת נֵר תָּמִיד - ...to kindle the lamps continually. (Shemos 27:20)
Erev Shabbos. Yerushalayim. 4:25pm. As Imma was finishing up last preparations for Shabbos, she looked at the calendar to know what time was candle lighting (Yerushalayim’s custom is to light Shabbos candles 40 minutes before sunset). “4:50 is candle lighting. I have 25 more minutes. Is there anything else I need to do?” she asked herself. As she looked around the kitchen, she suddenly remembered that she forgot to make a cake for Shabbos. Just at that moment, Chanie walked into the kitchen. “Quick, Chanie, help me prepare the cake!” said Imma. Chanie looked at the clock and asked, “Do we have enough time?”
“If we’ll start now, the cake will be done at 5:20. I know that you won’t be here at that time. So I’ll turn off the oven at 5:20 and light the candles right away. I’ll finish lighting at around 5:24. That will be still 6 minutes before shekiya! Sounds like a plan?”
“Imma, but we already have some dessert. We bought ice cream and popcorn.” said Chanie. “I know, but everyone loves my cake on Shabbos,” said Imma.
Question: Should they make the cake?
