256. “For it is inappropriate, etc.” For it is inappropriate to light the candle [immediately] when Shabbat concludes, before Israel perform‎ the havdala rite in the prayer ‎and then the havdala over the cup, because until that time it is Shabbat and the sanctity of the ‎Shabbat rules over us. When one performs the havdala over the cup, all those hosts and all those camps ‎appointed over the weekdays return, each and every one of them, to his place and to his service over which he is ‎appointed.

Explanation: The prohibition lasts primarily until the Kedusha De-Sidra, as stated [section #254#]. However, one ‎should be careful not to light a candle until after havdala, because it is ‎still considered Shabbat until then. However, it is certainly permitted to light a candle for the purpose of havdala and [the blessing of] “who creates the lights of fire,” and this is obvious. ‎