Chloe Adams
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple after the Maccabees drove the Greek usurpers out of Jerusalem. The Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil with which to light the menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. To fulfill the mitzvah, Hanukkah candles should be left to burn for at least half an hour, though they are ideally left to burn down on their own. However, if there is a fire hazard, some sources suggest that it is permissible to blow out the candles after 30 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum time Hanukkah candles should be lit | 30 minutes |
| Preferred time for lighting Hanukkah candles | After sunset |
| Acceptability of blowing out Hanukkah candles | Acceptable after 30 minutes, but not preferred |
| Circumstances under which blowing out Hanukkah candles is acceptable | Fire hazard, leaving the house |
| Obligation to light Hanukkah candles | Obligatory, even if it means borrowing money |
| Recommended fuel for Hanukkah candles | Olive oil |
| Acceptable fuel for Hanukkah candles | Any type of oil |
| Arrangement of Hanukkah candles | Straight line, not a semi-circle |
| Customary activities while Hanukkah candles are burning | Women not working, singing, eating special meals |
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What You'll Learn
Blowing out Hanukkah candles is permissible after 30 minutes
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is a Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple after the Maccabees drove Greek usurpers out of Jerusalem. The festival involves lighting candles, which are supposed to burn for at least half an hour. However, leaving them burning unattended can pose a fire hazard. So, what should one do if they need to leave their home shortly after lighting the candles?
According to the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, it is permissible to blow out Hanukkah candles after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes. This ruling takes into consideration the principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction). However, it is important to note that the preferred course of action is to allow the candles to burn down completely if possible. This is because the Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, implores followers to never blow out a candle.
If one knows they will need to go out shortly after sunset, it is best to wait and light the candles later. If the candles have already been lit, they can be extinguished after 30 minutes. It is also important to ensure that there is enough fuel (wax or oil) for the candles to burn for at least half an hour. This fulfils the mitzvah, or religious obligation, associated with the lighting of the Hanukkah candles.
While it is permissible to blow out Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, some sources suggest that this ruling may no longer apply or that a longer period of time should be allowed for the candles to burn. Additionally, it is considered a beautification of the mitzvah if the candles burn longer than 30 minutes. Therefore, it is preferable to light the candles when one has enough time to allow them to burn completely.
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Leaving candles unattended is a fire hazard
While the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, permits extinguishing Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, it is not advisable to leave burning candles unattended. Unattended candles can lead to preventable fires and even tragic fire deaths. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 85% of candle fires could be avoided if consumers took proper precautions.
To ensure safety when burning candles, follow these guidelines:
- Never leave a candle unattended: Always ensure that someone is present to monitor the candle and address any potential hazards.
- Keep candles away from flammable objects: Place candles at least four feet away from combustibles such as curtains, draperies, decorations, blinds, bedding, papers, and books.
- Use appropriate candle holders: Opt for sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders with protective, non-combustible shades or globes. Avoid decorative candle holders made of combustible materials.
- Maintain a safe distance from children and pets: Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental knocks or contact with the flame.
- Properly extinguish candles: Before leaving the room, ensure that the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing. Do not touch or move the candle until it has cooled down.
By following these safety precautions, you can reduce the risk of fire hazards associated with leaving candles unattended. Remember to prioritize safety and adhere to Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (avoiding wanton destruction) when burning candles during Hanukkah or any other occasion.
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The Shulchan Aruch permits blowing out candles
The Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, permits blowing out Hanukkah candles after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes. This ruling is based on the understanding that leaving unattended lit candles can pose a fire hazard, and according to the Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction), one should not create a dangerous situation.
The Shulchan Aruch suggests that if one knows they will need to go out, it is best to wait and light the Hanukkah candles later. However, if the candles have already been lit, they should be allowed to burn for at least 30 minutes before being extinguished. This is to fulfill the mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah, which commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees finding enough sacred oil to light the menorah in the reclaimed Jewish Temple for one day, which ended up lasting eight days.
While the Shulchan Aruch permits blowing out candles after 30 minutes, it is not the preferred course of action. The ideal is to let the candles burn down on their own. If possible, one should light the candles when they have enough time to wait for them to burn completely. If one must go out, they can consider lighting the Hanukkah candles at their destination later in the evening.
It is worth noting that some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities do not permit the extinguishing of Hanukkah candles under any circumstances. There are also alternative methods to blowing out the candles, such as waving them out or putting them out by hand, to avoid using one's breath, which is considered a person's 'soul', to extinguish another 'soul'.
In conclusion, while the Shulchan Aruch does allow for the blowing out of Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, it is not the ideal course of action. The preferred method is to let the candles burn down naturally, and if one needs to leave, to light the candles at a later time or destination.
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The Qabbalah forbids blowing out candles
The Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, forbids the blowing out of candles, including those lit during the celebration of Hanukkah. This belief is rooted in the idea that the soul is akin to a divine flame, and thus, using one's breath to extinguish a candle symbolically represents using one 'soul' to snuff out another. This practice is considered disrespectful and is avoided by many Jews.
The Qabbalah's prohibition against blowing out candles is based on the belief that the soul is a sacred entity, intimately connected to the divine. By blowing out a candle, an individual would symbolically be extinguishing a piece of the divine, which could be seen as an act of desecration. This interpretation underscores the profound respect for the soul and the divine that is central to Jewish mysticism.
Additionally, according to Kabbalistic tradition, it is improper to invoke the names of holy angels. Some believe that the sound produced when blowing out a candle forcefully resembles the name of a holy angel, and thus, it is considered inappropriate to blow out candles. Instead, some Jews opt to extinguish candles by other means, such as using a snuffer or waving it out with their hand.
The Qabbalah's teachings on this matter are deeply rooted in Jewish spiritual and mystical traditions. While some may view these beliefs as carrying significant weight, others may interpret them more flexibly or not adhere to them at all. Nonetheless, the Qabbalah's stance on blowing out candles holds important symbolic and spiritual significance for many Jews, particularly during the sacred festival of Hanukkah.
It is worth noting that while the Qabbalah forbids blowing out candles, some Jewish sources, such as the Shulchan Aruch, do allow for the blowing out of Hanukkah candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. This is to prevent creating a fire hazard, as leaving lit candles unattended can be dangerous. However, even in these cases, it is preferable to let the candles burn out on their own if possible, or to extinguish them by means other than blowing.
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The Mitzvah is fulfilled when candles burn for at least 30 minutes
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is a Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees. The Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which miraculously lasted eight days. To mark this, candles are lit for eight consecutive nights during Hanukkah.
The Mitzvah, or commandment, is fulfilled when the candles burn for at least 30 minutes. According to the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, it is permissible to extinguish the candles after 30 minutes. However, the preferred option is to allow the candles to burn down completely on their own. This is because the Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, implores followers never to blow out a candle.
If you need to go out after lighting the candles, it is best to wait and light them later. If the candles have already been lit, they should be allowed to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before being extinguished. This is to avoid creating a fire hazard, in keeping with the Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction).
It is worth noting that some sources recommend using longer-lasting candles for Hanukkah, such as Shabbat candles, to avoid having to blow them out prematurely. Shabbat candles are traditionally left to burn down completely and are not to be extinguished, in keeping with the commandment.
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Frequently asked questions
While some sources state that you should never blow out a candle, it is acceptable to blow out Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, according to the Shulchan Aruch.
Hanukkah candles should be left burning for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Olive oil is the most preferable fuel for Hanukkah candles, although any type of oil or wax candles are acceptable.
Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that a small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for a day but lasted eight days.
