Tyler Brooks
The topic of whether or not one should blow out menorah candles is a matter of debate among various authorities and customs. The central commandment of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles, commemorating the miracle of the Maccabees reclaiming the Jewish Temple and finding only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which lasted eight days. While some sources state that candles should not be extinguished at all, others permit blowing them out after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes. The preferred option is to let the candles burn out naturally, but safety considerations may take precedence. Different customs dictate the timing of lighting the menorah, ranging from immediately after sunset to 30 minutes after, and the placement of the menorah varies as well, with options including a windowsill, doorway, or dining area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing of lighting the menorah | Sunset, 10 minutes after sunset, 1/2 hour after sunset, or after the evening service |
| Who should light the menorah | Men, women, and children |
| Where to light the menorah | Outside of the doorpost of one's home, windowsill facing the street, central doorway, or inside one's home |
| How long should the candles be lit for | At least 30 minutes |
| Extinguishing the candles | Some authorities say it is acceptable to blow out the candles after 30 minutes, while others say they should not be extinguished at all |
| Leftover wicks and oils | Should be destroyed after Chanukah, except for unused oil left in the bottle |
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What You'll Learn
- The minimum time menorah candles should burn is 30 minutes
- If you need to leave home, it's acceptable to blow out the candles after 30 minutes
- The preferred option is to let the candles burn out naturally
- The shamash candle should be placed separately and not blown out
- The shamash can be used to relight candles
The minimum time menorah candles should burn is 30 minutes
The tradition of lighting candles during Hanukkah is a central mitzvah, or commandment, commemorating the miracle of the Maccabees reclaiming the Jewish Temple. The menorah candles are typically lit just after sunset, or when everyone in the household or group is able to gather. However, on Friday nights, the candles should be lit before sunset.
The minimum time that menorah candles should burn is 30 minutes. This is to ensure that the mitzvah is fulfilled. According to the Shulchan Aruch and other sources, it is acceptable to extinguish Hanukkah candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. Nevertheless, it is preferable to allow the candles to burn down on their own without extinguishing them.
If you need to leave home shortly after lighting the menorah, it is recommended to wait and light the candles later or at your destination. It is important to ensure that the candles have enough fuel (wax or oil) to burn for at least 30 minutes. Standard Chanukah candles typically last for around 30 minutes. On Friday nights, the menorah candles must be larger or have more oil so that they can burn for at least one and a half hours.
In certain circumstances, such as when using an oil menorah, it may be necessary to prepare the wicks and candles ahead of time to ensure that the menorah is lit at the correct time. Additionally, it is considered a beautification of the mitzvah if the candles burn longer than the minimum of 30 minutes.
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If you need to leave home, it's acceptable to blow out the candles after 30 minutes
The lighting of candles is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. The candles are lit to commemorate the miracle of the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish fighters who reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem from Greek usurpers. Upon rededicating the Temple, the Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil with which to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for a single day but ended up lasting eight days. This is why Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
While it is preferable to allow the candles to burn down on their own, it is acceptable to blow them out after 30 minutes if you need to leave home. This is because 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. If you know you will need to go out, it is best to wait and light the candles later. However, if the candles have already been lit, it is recommended to let them burn for at least 30 minutes before extinguishing them.
It is important to note that the minimum obligation is to have one candle burning every night, with an additional candle added each night. The candles should be lit after sunset, ideally immediately after, and displayed publicly if it is safe to do so. The menorah should be placed in a central location, such as a doorway or windowsill, on a sturdy, fireproof surface out of the reach of children and away from flammable materials.
If you are travelling, you can set up your menorah wherever you will be staying for the night. If you are staying in a Jewish home, you can contribute symbolically towards the menorah expenses, or you can light your own menorah as well.
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The preferred option is to let the candles burn out naturally
According to the Shulchan Aruch, it is acceptable to blow out the candles after they have burned for 30 minutes. However, it is preferable to enjoy their light until they burn down on their own. If you know you will need to leave before the candles have burned out, it is best to wait and light them later. If the candles have already been lit, it is recommended to let them burn for at least 30 minutes before extinguishing them.
If you are travelling, you can set up your menorah wherever you will be staying for the night. If you are staying in a Jewish home, you can contribute symbolically to the menorah expenses, or you can light your own menorah. In dormitories or apartments, menorahs can be kindled in rooms or communal areas. If this is prohibited, a rabbi should be consulted for advice on where to light the menorah.
The leftover wicks, oil, or wax from the menorah should be burnt after the holiday is finished, as they are considered sacred and should not be used for mundane purposes.
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The shamash candle should be placed separately and not blown out
The shamash, or the 'attendant' candle, is an additional candle used to light the other candles on the menorah. It is placed at a different height or in a separate location to distinguish it from the Chanukah candles. The shamash should not be blown out, but instead, set aside after the other candles have been lit.
The shamash candle plays a significant role in the Jewish tradition of lighting the menorah during Chanukah. It is customary to light the shamash first and then use it to light the other candles. By lighting the shamash first, we ensure that the Chanukah candles are not used for any practical purpose, preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights. The shamash is also kept lit and placed separately so that it can be used to relight any candles that may blow out. This way, the shamash serves as an 'attendant' or 'helper' candle, ready to 'serve' if needed.
The placement of the shamash candle is important. It should be positioned in a way that distinguishes it from the other candles. One common practice is to place the shamash at a different height on the menorah, either higher or lower than the Chanukah candles. Another option is to place the shamash adjacent to the other candles, but still separate enough to indicate that it is not one of the Chanukah lights. This could be on a windowsill or a small table near the menorah.
The shamash candle should not be blown out after lighting the other candles. Instead, it is customary to let the shamash burn out on its own. This is because the shamash is still considered sacred, even after it has served its primary function of lighting the other candles. Blowing out the shamash could be seen as disrespectful and may disrupt the sanctity of the menorah lighting ceremony. Therefore, it is preferable to let the shamash burn down naturally and remain lit alongside the other candles.
The shamash candle is an integral part of the menorah lighting tradition during Chanukah. By keeping it lit and placing it separately, we ensure that the sanctity of the Chanukah candles is preserved, and we have a dedicated source of light to relight any extinguished candles. The shamash candle reminds us of the miracle of the menorah and the importance of light in driving away darkness, just as the Maccabees did during the rededication of the Jewish Temple.
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The shamash can be used to relight candles
The shamash is an additional candle used to light the other candles on the menorah. It is placed at a different height to distinguish it from the Chanukah candles. While the shamash's primary function is to light the other candles, it is not extinguished after they have been lit. Instead, it is placed adjacent to the other candles and left burning. This is because it is forbidden to use the Chanukah candles for any practical purpose, and the shamash can be used as a source of light if needed, preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights. Therefore, the shamash can be used to relight any candles that blow out.
The shamash plays an important role in the lighting of the menorah, which is a central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. This is because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the Maccabees reclaiming the Jewish Temple and finding only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which lasted for eight days. To commemorate this miracle, it is customary to light candles for eight consecutive nights, ensuring that they burn for at least 30 minutes.
There are differing opinions on whether it is acceptable to blow out Hanukkah candles before they have burned down naturally. Some authorities say that candles may be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes, while others maintain that they should not be extinguished at all and should be allowed to go out on their own. If a candle blows out or needs to be extinguished before 30 minutes have passed, it is considered best to relight it.
The leftover wax or oil from the menorah candles is considered sacred and should not be used for mundane purposes. It is customary to burn any leftover wicks, oil, or wax after the holiday is finished to ensure that it is not used for everyday purposes. However, if there is leftover fuel that was not specifically set aside for the mitzvah lighting, it can be used for other purposes.
In conclusion, the shamash is an important part of the menorah lighting ceremony, not only for its practical function of lighting the other candles but also for its symbolic role in preserving the sanctity of the mitzvah lights. Its presence allows for the relighting of any candles that blow out, ensuring that the menorah can shine brightly throughout the celebration of Hanukkah.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on who you ask. Some authorities say that Hanukkah candles may be blown out after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes, while others say they should not be extinguished at all and be allowed to go out naturally.
If you know you'll need to go out, it's best to wait and light the candles later. However, if the candles have already been lit, you can blow them out after they've burned for at least 30 minutes to prevent a fire hazard.
Any leftover fuel or wicks that were set aside for the mitzvah of Chanukah lights are considered sacred and should be burnt after Chanukah to ensure they are not used for mundane purposes.
