Maddie James
There are differing opinions on whether blowing out Chanukah candles is considered bad luck. While some sources claim that blowing out candles is not universally considered bad luck, others suggest that it is tied to superstitions and old customs, such as the belief that blowing out a candle symbolically snuffs out life, inviting bad luck or disrespecting spiritual entities. According to Jewish law, there are varying opinions on whether it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles. Some authorities state that Chanukah candles should not be extinguished at all, while others allow for extinguishing after a minimum burning time of 30 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Whether blowing out Chanukah candles is considered bad luck | No, it is not universally considered bad luck to blow out candles. However, some believe that blowing out a candle symbolises snuffing out life, which can be interpreted as an ill omen. |
| Circumstances under which it is acceptable to blow out Chanukah candles | Some authorities say that it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes. However, others maintain that they should not be extinguished at all and should be allowed to burn out naturally. |
| Customs and traditions associated with blowing out Chanukah candles | In Israel, it is customary to light Chanukah candles outdoors in a special box that prevents the flames from blowing out. In Yeshivot and Seminaries, students typically place their menorahs in dining rooms facing the street or a public thoroughfare. |
| Superstitions and beliefs related to blowing out candles | In some traditions, blowing out candles is tied to wishes and hopes. It is believed that blowing out the candles in one breath helps make wishes come true. |
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What You'll Learn
- Blowing out Chanukah candles is not considered bad luck in all cultures
- Some Jewish legal authorities forbid extinguishing Chanukah candles under any circumstances
- The Shulchan Aruch permits blowing out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes
- The Qabbalah forbids blowing out any candle
- In some traditions, blowing out candles is tied to wishes and hopes
Blowing out Chanukah candles is not considered bad luck in all cultures
The significance of candle-lighting during Chanukah stems from the celebration of the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. They found only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for one day, but it ended up lasting for eight days. Thus, the lighting of candles during Chanukah commemorates this miracle.
While some sources suggest that blowing out candles can be considered bad luck in certain traditions, this belief is not universal. In some cultures, blowing out candles is a joyful act, commonly practised during birthday celebrations. The symbolism associated with blowing out candles can vary, with some believing that it represents life itself, while others attach wishes and hopes to the act of blowing.
In the context of Chanukah, the preference is to let the candles burn out naturally. However, this may not always be feasible, especially when leaving the house to prevent fire hazards. In such cases, it is generally advised to wait until the candles have burned for at least 30 minutes before extinguishing them.
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Some Jewish legal authorities forbid extinguishing Chanukah candles under any circumstances
The act of blowing out candles is steeped in symbolism and cultural significance. While it is not universally considered bad luck, some traditions believe that blowing out candles is tied to one's wishes and hopes. In certain cultures, blowing out a candle is seen as a representation of life, and by extinguishing it with one's breath, one is symbolically snuffing out life, which can be interpreted as an ill omen.
In the context of Chanukah, the debate surrounding the extinguishing of candles takes on a nuanced dimension. While some Jewish legal authorities permit blowing out Chanukah candles after a minimum burning duration of 30 minutes, others maintain that it is forbidden to extinguish them under any circumstances. This stringent stance is rooted in the belief that lighting the candles constitutes the central mitzvah, or commandment, of the holiday.
The differing opinions among Jewish legal authorities reflect a complex interplay of factors. On the one hand, the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees finding enough sacred oil to light the menorah for eight days. Allowing the candles to burn out naturally aligns with the notion of honouring this miracle by maximising the duration of the light.
On the other hand, practical considerations come into play. Leaving lit candles unattended can pose a fire hazard, and Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (avoiding wanton destruction) take precedence. In such cases, it is advisable to wait and light the candles later or to extinguish them after they have burned for at least 30 minutes.
Ultimately, the prohibition against extinguishing Chanukah candles under any circumstances stems from a desire to uphold the sanctity of the mitzvah and honour the miracle at the heart of the Chanukah celebration.
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The Shulchan Aruch permits blowing out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes
The Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, permits blowing out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes. However, it is important to note that this ruling primarily applies to those using oil lamps or extra-large Chanukah candles, as most Chanukah candles today do not burn for much longer than 30 minutes.
According to the Shulchan Aruch, it is permissible to extinguish Chanukah candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. This ruling takes into consideration the potential fire hazard of leaving unattended lit candles and the Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction). By allowing the candles to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes and then blowing them out, one can balance fulfilling the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles with practical safety concerns.
The Shulchan Aruch's ruling provides a practical solution for those who need to leave their homes or venues where Chanukah candles are lit. By following this ruling, individuals can ensure they are not creating a dangerous situation while still respecting the traditions and significance of the Chanukah candles.
However, it is worth noting that there are differing opinions on this matter. Some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities maintain that Chanukah candles should not be extinguished under any circumstances. They believe that the candles should be allowed to burn out naturally, even if it means leaving them unattended.
Ultimately, the decision to blow out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes is a personal one, and individuals may choose to follow the guidance that aligns with their beliefs and circumstances. The Shulchan Aruch's ruling offers a compromise between upholding the traditions of Chanukah and addressing practical safety considerations.
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The Qabbalah forbids blowing out any candle
The Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, forbids the blowing out of any candle, including Hanukkah candles. This is because, according to Kabbalistic tradition, there is an angel whose name is the same as the sound produced when one blows out a candle with force. It is considered improper to invoke the name of a holy angel. Therefore, it is customary to extinguish candles by hand or with a candle snuffer to avoid pronouncing the angel's name.
The Torah also compares man's soul to a flame and "breath" from Hashem (God). Thus, blowing out a candle symbolically represents using one "soul" to extinguish another, which is considered ironic and inappropriate.
Additionally, the central commandment of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles, commemorating the miracle of the Maccabees finding enough sacred oil to light the menorah in the reclaimed Jewish Temple for eight days. Blowing out the Hanukkah candles before they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes negates this commandment. While some authorities permit extinguishing the candles after 30 minutes, others maintain that they should be allowed to burn out naturally.
To avoid any fire hazards, it is recommended to light the Hanukkah candles when one has enough time to let them burn completely or to light them later if one needs to go out. It is customary to place the menorah at a height of approximately 27 cm to 90 cm, in a straight line or a semi-circle, with all wicks on the same level.
In summary, the Qabbalah's prohibition against blowing out any candle stems from respect for holy angels and the symbolic representation of the soul as a flame. This practice is especially significant during Hanukkah, when the lighting of candles is a central commandment commemorating a miracle.
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In some traditions, blowing out candles is tied to wishes and hopes
Blowing out candles is often associated with making wishes and hoping for good luck. In many traditions, the act of blowing out candles is seen as a positive and joyful gesture, especially during birthday celebrations. The intention behind blowing out candles is usually pure, as people make wishes and set their hopes and intentions for the future.
However, there are varying beliefs and customs surrounding the practice of blowing out candles. Some people believe that if the candles are not blown out in one breath or if someone else blows them out, it could bring misfortune or prevent wishes from coming true. To honour these customs and avoid any perceived negative consequences, some individuals choose to snuff out candles using a candle snuffer or allow them to burn down naturally.
The traditions and beliefs surrounding candle-blowing vary across different cultures and occasions. For example, during Chanukah or Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, there are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to blow out the candles. Some authorities state that Hanukkah candles should not be extinguished at all, while others suggest that they should burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before being blown out or allowed to burn out naturally.
The debate around blowing out Chanukah candles stems from the central mitzvah, or commandment, of the holiday. Lighting candles commemorates the miracle of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish fighters who reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. They found only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for one day, but it miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
While some sources suggest that blowing out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes is acceptable, others argue that it is preferable to let them burn out naturally. The decision to blow out candles or not during Chanukah depends on personal interpretation and the customs followed by individuals and communities.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on who you ask. Some people believe that blowing out candles can be a bad omen, inviting wrath from higher powers or disturbing spirits. However, others disagree, and see it as a joyful gesture, as in the case of blowing out birthday candles.
Lighting candles is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of Chanukah. Chanukah celebrates the miracle that the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish fighters, drove the Greek usurpers out of Jerusalem and reclaimed the Jewish Temple. The Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for a day but lasted eight, which is why candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
The candles should be left to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes, according to most sources. However, some say that they should not be extinguished at all and should be allowed to burn out naturally.
If you know you will need to go out, it is best to wait and light the candles later. If the candles have already been lit, you can consider letting them burn for a minimum of 30 minutes and then extinguishing them. Some sources suggest that blowing out the candles negates the mitzvah, so it is preferable to wave them out or use a candle snuffer.
