Tyler Brooks
The topic of whether it is acceptable to blow out Chanukah candles is a matter of some debate within Judaism. The central mitzvah, or 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 that lasted eight days. According to some sources, it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes, as this fulfills the minimum time requirement for the mitzvah. However, other sources suggest that blowing out the candles is not allowed, and that one should instead wave out the flame or allow the candles to burn out on their own. The decision to blow out Chanukah candles may also depend on practical considerations, such as preventing a fire hazard if leaving the house.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum time Chanukah candles should be lit | 30 minutes |
| Acceptability of blowing out Chanukah candles | Not preferable, but permissible after 30 minutes |
| Preferred method of extinguishing candles | Allowing them to burn out, or waving them out |
| Reasons for extinguishing candles | To prevent fire hazards, or to leave the house |
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What You'll Learn
Blowing out Chanukah candles before leaving the house
The central commandment, or mitzvah, of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles. This commemorates the miracle of a single jar of sacred oil that burned for eight days during the rededication of the Jewish Temple by the Maccabees. As such, it is generally considered preferable to allow Hanukkah candles to burn out naturally.
However, leaving unattended lit candles can be a fire hazard, and Jewish principles dictate that one should not create a dangerous situation. If you have lit your Hanukkah candles and need to leave the house, it is best to wait and light the candles when you return. If this is not possible, the candles should be allowed to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before being extinguished. This ruling applies particularly to those using oil lamps or extra-large candles, which may burn for longer than 30 minutes.
Some sources suggest that it is acceptable to extinguish Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, especially if there is a fire hazard. However, other sources maintain that one should not extinguish Hanukkah candles under any circumstances. In this case, it is recommended to wave out the candles rather than blowing them out. If you do choose to blow out the candles, it is unclear whether you should relight them when you return home.
To avoid this situation, it is advisable to light Hanukkah candles when you have enough time to wait for them to burn out completely, or to light them when you return home if you know you will be going out.
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The minimum time Chanukah candles should be lit for
However, there are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes. Some sources state that one should not extinguish the candle even after this time, as all the oil was placed for the sake of the mitzvah. Others state that if one put more oil in than is required for 30 minutes, one may extinguish the candle after that time has passed.
If you cannot stay with the candles for more than 30 minutes, and there is a fire hazard, it is permissible to blow the candles out after this minimum duration. However, it is considered preferable to wait and light the candles when you have enough time to wait for them to burn out on their own.
The Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, suggests that if the candles have already been lit, they should be allowed to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes and then extinguished.
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The use of oil in Chanukah candles
The preferred way to perform the mitzvah is to use pure olive oil with wicks made of cotton, replicating the original miracle. This combination produces a pure and clear light, and the use of olive oil is considered ideal as it was the oil present during the miracle. Cotton wicks are also favoured because they burn more slowly and steadily, maintaining a consistent distance between the flame and the fuel.
While pure olive oil is the most traditional, other types of oil may be used as well, as long as they provide a steady flame. Oils that have spoiled and are inedible are generally unfit, unless the inedibility is due to bitterness without spoilage. Oils such as castor oil or pitch are acceptable, even if they are not suitable for Shabbat candles. If one begins the blessing (bracha) with wax candles, one cannot switch to oil.
In synagogues, the custom of using beeswax candles for the menorah is mentioned by Rabbi Moses Sofer, also known as Chatam Sofer. He observed that many synagogues used beeswax, which may have been due to the rarity of pure olive oil at the time. However, with olive oil being more accessible today, it is now preferred even in synagogues.
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The permissibility of extinguishing Chanukah candles after 30 minutes
The central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles, commemorating the miracle of the Maccabees' reclamation of 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 miraculously lasted eight days. Thus, Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights, ideally containing enough fuel to burn for at least 30 minutes.
According to the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, it is permissible to extinguish Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes. This ruling is based on the understanding that only the amount of oil necessary to fulfill the mitzvah is considered holy, and any excess oil may be used for personal purposes. However, some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities maintain that Hanukkah candles should not be extinguished under any circumstances. They argue that all the oil, regardless of quantity, is placed for the sake of the mitzvah and is therefore sacred.
In cases where one cannot stay with the candles for more than 30 minutes, such as when facing a fire hazard, blowing out the candles after 30 minutes is acceptable. However, it is important to note that some sources suggest that blowing out the candles is not ideal, and instead recommend waving them out or allowing them to burn out on their own.
While there are differing opinions on the permissibility of extinguishing Chanukah candles after 30 minutes, the preferred course of action is to let the candles burn down naturally. If one must extinguish the candles, it is generally acceptable to do so after ensuring they have burned for at least 30 minutes.
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The impact of blowing out Chanukah candles on the mitzvah
Some sources suggest that blowing out Chanukah candles before the 30-minute mark negates the mitzvah. The Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, advises against blowing out any candle, ever. However, other sources, such as the Shulchan Aruch (Judaism's premier law code), permit extinguishing the candles after they have burned for 30 minutes. This ruling is particularly relevant when using oil lamps or extra-large candles that may burn for longer periods.
If one must leave the house and cannot stay with the candles for the full 30 minutes, it is permissible to blow them out after the designated time has passed. This is in accordance with the Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction). However, it is preferable to wait until the candles have burned down completely if possible, or to light them when one returns home.
It is worth noting that there are differing opinions on the specific time requirements. Some Poskim rule that even after the designated time has passed, one should not extinguish the candle as all the oil was placed for the sake of the Mitzvah. Others suggest that those lighting inside their homes should keep the candles burning until bedtime, while those lighting outdoors should ensure the candles burn until people are no longer outside, typically around 9:00 pm.
In summary, while blowing out Chanukah candles may not be ideal, it does not necessarily negate the mitzvah, especially if done for safety reasons or after the minimum burning time of 30 minutes. The preferred course of action is to let the candles burn down completely, but practical considerations are also important, and adaptations can be made to fulfil the mitzvah while prioritising safety and common sense.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally not advisable to blow out Chanukah candles as the Qabbalah implores us to never blow out a candle. However, if you have lit your candles and need to leave the house, it is considered safer to blow them out after 30 minutes than to leave them unattended.
The lighting of candles is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. This commemorates the miracle of a small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaiming the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and finding only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which ended up burning for eight days.
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, you can blow them out after 30 minutes to avoid a fire hazard.
Yes, instead of blowing them out, you can wave the candles out. This is considered a more respectful way to extinguish the flames.
