Maddie James
The topic of whether it is acceptable to blow out menorah candles is a complex one, with varying opinions within the Jewish community. On the one hand, the safety concerns of leaving lit candles unattended are significant, especially for the elderly or those with disabilities. In such cases, using an electric menorah or flashlight has been suggested, although some rabbis do not consider this acceptable. The minimum recommended burning time for menorah candles is 30 minutes, after which they can be extinguished if necessary. However, some Jewish legal authorities do not permit extinguishing menorah candles under any circumstances, while others suggest waving to put them out rather than blowing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum burn time | 30 minutes |
| Preferred course of action | Enjoy the light until they burn down on their own |
| Alternative to candles or oil | Electric menorahs, flashlights |
| Leftover fuel | Should be burnt after Chanukah |
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What You'll Learn
- It is recommended to let the candles burn out on their own
- If you must blow them out, wait at least 30 minutes
- Electric menorahs are not acceptable, but battery-operated ones are preferable to plug-in versions
- Leftover wax and wicks should be burnt after Chanukah
- The candles should be lit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally, they should be left to burn out
It is recommended to let the candles burn out on their own
The central commandment, or mitzvah, of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles. This commemorates the miracle of a small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, who reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Upon rededicating the Temple, the Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for one day but lasted for eight.
Given this history, it is considered preferable to let Hanukkah candles burn out on their own. The Qabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, implores adherents not to blow out a candle under any circumstances. This is also the opinion of some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities. According to the Code of Jewish Law, the leftover wax or oil from a candle that has burned for at least 30 minutes after nightfall is sacred and should be burnt after Chanukah to ensure it is not used for other purposes.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you need to go out after lighting the candles, it is acceptable to extinguish them after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. This is the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, which takes precedence over the Qabbalah in this case. Some suggest that it is permissible to wave the candles out, rather than blowing them out.
If you are unable to light a candle menorah due to extenuating circumstances, such as disability, it is acceptable to use an electric menorah. However, some rabbis suggest using a flashlight instead, as an electric menorah is generally not considered acceptable.
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If you must blow them out, wait at least 30 minutes
The commandment, or mitzvah, of Hanukkah is to light candles, commemorating the miracle of the Maccabees reclaiming the Jewish Temple and finding only one jar of sacred oil with which to light the menorah. This oil miraculously burned for eight days, so Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
The Code of Jewish Law states that the candles should be left to burn for a minimum of half an hour after nightfall. This is considered the fulfilment of the mitzvah, and any leftover fuel is considered sacred and should be burnt after Chanukah to ensure it is not used for other purposes.
If you must blow out the candles, it is suggested that you wait at least 30 minutes before doing so. This is based on the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, which states that it is acceptable to extinguish Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes. However, it is important to note that some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities do not permit extinguishing Hanukkah candles under any circumstances.
If you are unable to wait 30 minutes, it is recommended to consider lighting the candles later or using an alternative, such as an electric menorah. Safety is also a primary concern, and leaving unattended lit candles can pose a fire hazard. In such cases, it may be necessary to extinguish the candles before the 30-minute mark, following the principle of pikuach nefesh (saving a life).
It is worth noting that there are different customs regarding the lighting of the menorah. Some light at sunset, while others light about ten minutes or half an hour after. Ideally, one should follow the custom of their family or local community.
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Electric menorahs are not acceptable, but battery-operated ones are preferable to plug-in versions
The lighting of candles is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. The candles are lit to commemorate the miracle that a small band of Jewish fighters, called the Maccabees, reclaimed the Jewish Temple and found only one jar of sacred oil with which to light the menorah. The oil was expected to burn for only a day, but it lasted for eight days. Thus, Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
The use of electric menorahs is generally not acceptable. However, some people, particularly the elderly, may find it challenging to light candles due to physical limitations or safety concerns. In such cases, a battery-operated menorah can be a preferable alternative to a plug-in version. This compromise balances the importance of fulfilling the mitzvah with practical considerations.
The battery-operated option respects the principle that the Chanukah lights used to fulfill the mitzvah should be real flames fueled by wax or oil, similar to the flames in the Holy Temple Menorah. While electric menorahs may not capture the essence of the tradition, battery-operated alternatives can provide a safer and more acceptable solution for those who cannot use traditional candles.
It is worth noting that some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities do not permit extinguishing Hanukkah candles under any circumstances. However, according to the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, candles can be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes. This ruling emphasizes the importance of allowing the candles to burn for a meaningful duration before being safely put out.
Consulting with a rabbi is always advisable, especially in extenuating circumstances, to ensure that any alternatives or modifications align with Jewish principles and the spirit of the Hanukkah tradition.
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Leftover wax and wicks should be burnt after Chanukah
The central commandment of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles. This is because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a small group of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, who drove Greek usurpers out of Jerusalem and reclaimed the Jewish Temple. Upon rededicating the Temple, the Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for a single day but miraculously lasted eight days.
The candles used to fulfil the commandment should be real flames fuelled by wax or oil. However, there are some exceptions for those who cannot use real candles, such as the elderly or those with disabilities, who may use electric menorahs.
According to Jewish law, the leftover wax and wicks from the menorah should be burnt after Chanukah to ensure that they are not used for mundane purposes. This is because the fuel set aside for the commandment is considered sacred. If there is enough wax or oil left over to burn for another 30 minutes, it can be used the next night of Chanukah or the following year. However, if the leftover wax or oil was not intended to be burned, such as the bottom of a candle, it can be used for other purposes.
Some authorities maintain that any leftover fuel placed in the menorah should be treated as "set aside" and burnt. It is customary to burn all the leftover wicks, oil, or wax from the menorah after the holiday. This does not apply to unused oil or candles, which can be used for other purposes.
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The candles should be lit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally, they should be left to burn out
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. The candles are lit for eight consecutive nights, and the oil or wax used to fuel them is considered sacred.
If you must extinguish the candles before 30 minutes have passed, it is suggested that you wave out the flame rather than blowing it out. Additionally, any leftover wax or oil that was intended for the commandment is considered sacred and should be burned after Hanukkah to ensure it is not used for mundane purposes.
For those who are unable to light candles, such as the elderly or those with disabilities, electric menorahs are sometimes used as an alternative. However, some rabbis suggest using a flashlight or incandescent light instead, as electric menorahs are not considered acceptable.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving unattended lit candles can be a fire hazard. The best choice is to wait and light your candles when you return home. If you have already lit the candles, it is acceptable to extinguish them after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes.
The leftover wax or oil is considered sacred and should not be used for anything else. It is customary to burn any leftover wax or oil after the holiday is finished.
Yes, some Rabbis suggest using a battery-operated menorah or lighting an incandescent flashlight for 30 minutes.
Lighting candles is the central commandment of Hanukkah. The festival celebrates the miracle of a small group of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaiming the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Upon rededicating the Temple, the Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for a day but lasted for eight.
