Tyler Brooks
The central commandment of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles, one for each night of the holiday, which is celebrated for eight nights. The ninth candle, the shamash, or servant candle, is used to light the others. The candles are typically lit after sunset and should burn for at least 30 minutes, though many will let the candles burn out on their own. If you need to go out, it is recommended to wait and light the candles later or to light them at your destination. If the shamash burns out before the other candles, it is recommended to turn on electric lights in the room so that the remaining candles are only used for the mitzvah.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum duration of candle burning | 30 minutes |
| Action to take if candles burn for minimum duration | Candles can be extinguished |
| Action to take if candles burn for less than the minimum duration | Candles should not be used for mundane purposes |
| Action to take if one needs to go out after lighting candles | Allow candles to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes and then extinguish them |
| Alternative to using Hanukkah candles for lighting | Turn on electric lights |
| Use of leftover candle wax | Can be used the next night of Hanukkah or the next year |
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What You'll Learn
- Leftover candle wax is considered sacred and shouldn't be used for anything else
- If the shamash candle goes out, turn on electric lights so the remaining candles are only used for the Mitzvah
- Candles should be lit for a minimum of 30 minutes, but it's preferable to let them burn out on their own
- If you need to go out, light the candles when you get to your destination or wait until you're back home
- The shamash candle is used to light the other candles and is placed in the middle of the menorah
Leftover candle wax is considered sacred and shouldn't be used for anything else
The lighting of candles is the central commandment of Hanukkah, celebrated by Jewish people around the world. The festival commemorates the victory of Jewish rebels over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The miracle of Hanukkah centres on the oil used to light the menorah in the Jewish Temple. Upon rededicating the Temple, the Maccabees found only one jar of sacred oil with which to light the menorah. Expected to burn for just one day, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight consecutive nights, with one candle lit each night, and the ninth shamash candle, or "servant candle", used to light the others.
The leftover candle wax from the Hanukkah candles is considered sacred and shouldn't be used for anything else. This is because the wax was originally set aside for the commandment of lighting the menorah. The Code of Jewish Law states that any leftover wax or oil that was intended to burn within the first half-hour after nightfall is consecrated for the commandment and should be burnt after Hanukkah to avoid being used for mundane purposes.
If there is enough wax left for the candle to burn for another 30 minutes, then it can be used the next night of Hanukkah or the following year. However, if the candle has to be extinguished due to safety concerns, or to prevent the menorah itself from burning, then the leftover wax can be considered as never having been intended for the commandment. In this case, there is no issue with the wax being used for another purpose.
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If the shamash candle goes out, turn on electric lights so the remaining candles are only used for the Mitzvah
The shamash candle is the ninth candle that sits in the middle of the menorah and is known as the "attendant" or "servant" candle. It is lit first and used to light the other candles. The shamash candle is important because Hanukkah candles are not supposed to be used except for fulfilling the mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. The shamash candle allows one to use its light for other purposes like reading or finding one's way in a dark room.
If the shamash candle goes out before the other candles, it is suggested that you turn on the electric lights in the room so that the remaining candles are only used for the mitzvah. This is because the light of the Hanukkah candles is meant to be used for the mitzvah, and using them for other purposes would be considered mundane. By turning on electric lights, you can still enjoy the ambiance of the candles while ensuring that the mitzvah is fulfilled.
It is important to note that there are different opinions on whether it is acceptable to blow out Hanukkah candles before they have burned down completely. Some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities do not permit extinguishing Hanukkah candles under any circumstances. Others, like the Shulchan Aruch, suggest that it is acceptable to blow out the candles after they have burned for a minimum of 30 minutes, which is the time required to fulfill the mitzvah.
If you are unable to relight the shamash candle or turn on electric lights, and the remaining candles have not yet burned for 30 minutes, you may need to make a judgement call. You could try to find another source of fire to light a new shamash candle, or you could let the remaining candles burn for the full 30 minutes before blowing them out. It is always best to consult with a rabbi or other Jewish legal authority if you are unsure about the proper course of action.
In any case, it is important to remember that the lighting of the Hanukkah candles is a sacred tradition that commemorates the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days in the rededicated Jewish Temple. Whether you are able to relight the shamash or not, the most important thing is to honor the spirit of the holiday and the mitzvah of lighting the menorah.
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Candles should be lit for a minimum of 30 minutes, but it's preferable to let them burn out on their own
Candles play a central role in the celebration of Hanukkah, a Jewish festival commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek armies and the liberation of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The lighting of candles symbolises the miracle of a small jar of sacred oil that burned for eight days during the rededication of the Temple, and so Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
The question of what to do if the shamash, or 'servant candle', burns out before the other candles is a common one. The shamash candle is lit first and used to light the other candles, and it also serves a practical purpose, allowing one to use its light for reading or moving around a dark room. If the shamash burns out before the other candles, it is recommended to not use the remaining candles for mundane purposes. Instead, one should either allow the candles to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before blowing them out or, preferably, let them burn out on their own.
According to the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code, candles should burn for a minimum of 30 minutes to fulfil the mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. However, it is preferable to let the candles burn out completely on their own. This is because the fuel set aside for the mitzvah is considered sacred and should not be used for anything else. If one needs to go out, it is best to wait and light the candles later or to light them at one's destination.
If one has leftover candles that were blown out before fully burning down, there are varying opinions on what to do with them. Some sources suggest that these candles can be used the next night of Hanukkah or the following year, as long as they have enough fuel to burn for another 30 minutes. Others suggest burning these leftovers with the chametz on the morning before Passover.
In conclusion, while it is acceptable to blow out Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, it is preferable to let them burn out on their own. This is to honour the sacred nature of the candles and to avoid using them for mundane purposes.
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If you need to go out, light the candles when you get to your destination or wait until you're back home
Lighting candles is the central commandment of Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration of the miracle that a small band of Jewish fighters, called the Maccabees, drove the Greek usurpers out of Jerusalem and reclaimed the Jewish Temple. The celebration is marked by lighting candles for eight consecutive nights.
The shamash candle, also known as the "servant candle", is lit first and used to light the other candles. The shamash candle is important because Hanukkah candles are not supposed to be used except for fulfilling the commandment. The shamash candle allows one to use its light for other purposes like reading or finding one's way in a dark room.
If you need to go out, it is recommended that you wait until you get to your destination to light the candles. Alternatively, you can light the candles when you get back home. Candles can be lit well past sunset if necessary. However, if the candles have already been lit, the next best choice is to allow them to burn for a minimum of half an hour and then extinguish them. This is the course of action suggested by the Shulchan Aruch, Judaism's premier law code.
Leaving unattended lit candles can be 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.
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The shamash candle is used to light the other candles and is placed in the middle of the menorah
The shamash candle is an important part of the Hanukkah celebration. Also known as the "helper" or "servant" candle, it is used to light the other eight candles on the menorah. The shamash is placed in a different spot from the other candles, usually in the centre, and often at a different elevation, either higher or lower. This is to symbolise that it is not one of the eight candles representing the eight nights of Hanukkah.
The shamash is lit first and then used to light the other candles, starting with the left-most one. The shamash is not blown out, but left to burn down on its own, and can be used for other purposes, such as reading or finding your way in a dark room. This is because the Hanukkah candles are not supposed to be used for anything other than fulfilling the mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah.
If the shamash does burn out before the other candles, it is suggested that you should not use the remaining candles for any other purpose. If 30 minutes have passed, the remaining candles can be blown out. However, some authorities do not permit the extinguishing of Hanukkah candles under any circumstances, and it is preferable to let them burn down on their own.
The shamash candle is also symbolic of the miracle of Hanukkah. Just as the shamash helps to light the other candles, so too does a teacher use their skills to help others.
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Frequently asked questions
The shamash candle is used to light the other candles and allows one to use its light for other purposes like reading. If the shamash burns out before the other candles, you can turn on the electric lights in the room so that the remaining candles are only used for the mitzvah.
The candles should stay lit for at least 30 minutes before being extinguished. If the last candle burns out before 30 minutes, it can be used the next night of Hanukkah or the next year if it is the last night.
The leftover oil should be burnt after Hanukkah to ensure that it is not used for mundane purposes.
Leftover candles can be burnt with the chametz on the morning before Passover.
