Jessie Taylor
The question of whether it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles is a matter of debate among Jewish authorities. Some sources say that the candles should not be extinguished at all, while others state that they may be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes. The Shulchan Aruch rules that it is permissible to extinguish the candles after 30 minutes, while other authorities, such as the Mogain Avrohom, Bach, Chayei Odom, and Eliyahu Rabbah, hold that one should not extinguish the candles under any circumstances. The preferred course of action is to let the candles burn down naturally, but if one must leave the house, it is generally considered acceptable to extinguish the candles after 30 minutes to prevent a fire hazard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum duration of burning | 30 minutes |
| Preferred duration of burning | Until they burn out naturally |
| Alternative to blowing out | Waving it out |
| Customary height of menorah | 10.5 inches or 27 cm (minimum); 35.5 ft or 10.8 m (maximum) |
| Customary placement of menorah | Facing a street or public thoroughfare |
| Customary shape of candle placement | Straight line |
| Customary number of candles | One candle per household per night (minimum); one additional candle per night |
| Customary type of oil | Olive oil |
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What You'll Learn
Some say it's okay to blow them out after 30 minutes
The topic of extinguishing Chanukah candles is a nuanced one, with various opinions and guidelines. While some sources state that it is permissible to blow out the candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes, others suggest that they should not be extinguished at all.
The Shulchan Aruch (672:2) rules that it is permissible to extinguish Chanukah candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. This ruling is supported by various sources, including the Chofetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish. According to the Shulchan Aruch and others, it is acceptable to extinguish the candles after this minimum time, although it is preferable to let them burn down on their own. This ruling is particularly relevant for those using oil lamps or extra-large candles, as modern Chanukah candles typically do not burn for much longer than 30 minutes.
However, it is important to note that there are differing opinions on this matter. Some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities maintain that Chanukah candles should not be extinguished under any circumstances. The Mogain Avrohom, Bach, Chayei Odom, and Eliyahu Rabbah share this view. Additionally, the Bach and Chayei Odom write that the leftover oil from extinguished candles should not be used, as it was initially intended for a Mitzvah.
The decision to blow out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes depends on one's personal customs and interpretations. If one needs to leave the house, it is generally advisable to extinguish the candles to prevent fire hazards, in accordance with the Torah Mitzvah of taking safety precautions. However, if one has the option to wait, it is preferable to let the candles burn out naturally.
To ensure safety and follow Jewish principles, it is recommended to use less oil when lighting the candles if you plan to leave the house later, so they burn out on their own before your departure. Additionally, it is suggested to place the menorah on a stable surface, away from flammable materials, and to use a layer of water beneath the oil to act as a natural extinguisher.
In summary, while some authorities permit blowing out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes, others advise against it. The decision ultimately depends on individual customs and safety considerations. When in doubt, it is best to prioritize safety and follow the guidelines provided by respected Jewish sources.
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Others say they should never be blown out
The central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles, commemorating the miracle of a small band 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. This is why Hanukkah candles are lit for eight consecutive nights.
Some authorities say that Hanukkah candles should not be extinguished at all, but others say they may be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes. The Shulchan Aruch rules that it is permissible to extinguish the candles after 30 minutes, but the Mogain Avrohom, Bach, Chayei Odom, and Eliyahu Rabbah write that one should avoid doing so. The Bach opines that one is also not permitted to benefit from the leftover oil, as it was used for a Mitzvah. The Chayei Odom agrees, stating that the oil should not be used afterward for other purposes, as it was used for a Mitzvah.
According to Jewish principles of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) and bal tashchit (not causing wanton destruction), one should not create a dangerous situation. If one knows they will need to go out, it is best to wait and light the candles later. However, if the candles have already been lit, they should be allowed to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before being extinguished.
While it is acceptable according to some sources to extinguish Hanukkah candles after 30 minutes, the preferred course of action is to let them burn down on their own. If possible, one should light the candles when they have enough time to wait for them to burn completely, or consider lighting them at their destination if travelling.
In summary, while there is some disagreement among authorities, the preferred course of action is to avoid blowing out Hanukkah candles and instead let them burn out naturally. This is to honour the mitzvah of lighting the candles and to prevent creating a dangerous situation. If one must extinguish the candles due to safety concerns, it is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes before doing so, and to relight them upon returning home if possible.
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If you blow them out, you should relight them when you get home
The lighting of candles is the central commandment of Hanukkah, celebrating the miracle of a small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaiming 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 day but lasted eight days.
Some authorities say Hanukkah candles may be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes, while others say they should not be extinguished at all. The Shulchan Aruch rules that it is permissible to extinguish the candles after 30 minutes, but the Mogain Avrohom writes that one should avoid doing so. The preferred course of action is to let the candles burn down on their own. However, if you must go out, it is best to extinguish the candles to prevent a fire hazard.
If you do blow out the Hanukkah candles before leaving the house, it is recommended to relight them when you get home. This is because the commandment of Hanukkah is fulfilled by lighting the candles, and letting them burn down completely is seen as a beautification of the commandment. By relighting the candles when you return home, you can ensure that they burn down fully and fulfil the commandment to the highest degree.
It is important to note that there are differing opinions on the matter of extinguishing Hanukkah candles. Some halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities do not permit extinguishing the candles under any circumstances. In these cases, it may be advisable to wait until you have enough time to let the candles burn down completely before lighting them, or to light them at your destination if you know you will be leaving the house soon after lighting. Additionally, if you are lighting oil lamps or using extra-large candles, it is recommended to put in enough oil for 30 minutes of burning and then extinguish the candle if needed, as most Hanukkah candles do not burn for much longer than that.
Overall, while there is some disagreement on the matter, it is generally considered acceptable to blow out Hanukkah candles if necessary, especially to prevent a fire hazard. If you do blow them out, relighting them when you get home is a way to fulfil the commandment to the highest degree by allowing the candles to burn down completely.
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Fire safety is a concern, so you might need to blow them out
Fire safety is a concern, so you might need to blow out Chanukah candles. The central commandment, or mitzvah, of Chanukah is the lighting of candles. This commemorates the miracle of a small band of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaiming the Jewish Temple and finding only enough sacred oil to light the menorah for a day, which lasted for eight. As such, it is preferable to let the candles burn out naturally. However, if you need to leave the house, it is acceptable to extinguish the candles to prevent a fire hazard.
According to the Shulchan Aruch (672:2), it is permissible to extinguish the candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. This ruling is supported by the Chofetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish, who are cited as putting out Chanukah candles after 30 minutes. The Aruch HaShulchan also writes that it is customary to allow extinguishing the flame, but if one's custom is not to do so, they should follow their own practice.
However, some authorities, such as the Mogain Avrohom, Bach, Chayei Odom, and Eliyahu Rabbah, hold that one should not extinguish the candles under any circumstances. The Bach even states that one should not benefit from the leftover oil since it was used for a mitzvah. The Chayei Odom agrees, writing that if one filled up the lamp with oil without thinking about needing to put it out, the oil should not be used afterward for other purposes.
To balance these conflicting opinions, some suggest that if you know you will need to go out, it is best to wait and light the candles later. Candles can be lit well past sunset if necessary. If the candles have already been lit, it is recommended to let them burn for at least 30 minutes before extinguishing them. Additionally, when lighting the candles, one can use less oil so that they will go out on their own before leaving the house.
Overall, while it is generally preferable to let the Chanukah candles burn out naturally, fire safety is a concern, and it is acceptable to blow them out if necessary to prevent a fire hazard.
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It's preferable to let them burn out naturally
While there are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles, it is generally preferable to let them burn out naturally. Lighting candles is the central mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah. This is because Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of a small group of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, who reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem from Greek usurpers. When the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only one jar of sacred oil to light the menorah, which was expected to burn for only a day but miraculously lasted for eight days. Thus, letting the Chanukah candles burn out naturally honours the miracle of the oil lasting longer than expected.
According to Jewish law, or halacha, there are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to blow out Chanukah candles. Some authorities, such as the Shulchan Aruch, rule that it is permissible to extinguish the candles after they have burned for at least 30 minutes. However, other sources, such as the Mogain Avrohom, the Bach, the Chayei Odom, and the Eliyahu Rabbah, hold that one should avoid extinguishing the candles under any circumstances. They consider it a desecration of the mitzvah to artificially shorten the burn time of the commemorative lights.
To fulfill the mitzvah, the Chanukah candles should contain enough fuel (wax or oil) to burn for a minimum of 30 minutes. It is considered a beautification of the mitzvah if they burn longer. If one knows they will need to leave the house, it is advisable to wait and light the candles later, as leaving unattended lit candles can pose a fire hazard. However, if the candles have already been lit, it is recommended to let them burn for at least 30 minutes before extinguishing them.
In practice, most Hanukkah candles today do not burn much longer than 30 minutes. Therefore, if one wishes to let the candles burn out naturally, they can simply ensure that there is enough fuel for this duration. If there is a need to extinguish the candles prematurely, it is suggested to wave them out instead of blowing them out, as blowing can be disrespectful. Additionally, some recommend relighting the candles upon returning home and letting them burn out naturally.
Overall, while there may be exceptions and considerations for safety, it is generally preferable to let the Chanukah candles burn out naturally to honour the miracle of the oil and fulfill the mitzvah of Hanukkah.
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Frequently asked questions
There are differing opinions on this. Some say that the candles should not be extinguished at all, while others say that they can be extinguished after burning for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Lighting the candles is the central mitzvah of Chanukah, 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.
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, it is recommended to let them burn for a minimum of 30 minutes before extinguishing them.
In Israel, it is customary to light the candles outdoors in a special box that prevents the flames from blowing out. It is also recommended to place the menorah on a stable surface, away from flammable materials, and to use enough oil or wax to ensure the candles burn for at least 30 minutes.
While many people have a custom of playing card games during Chanukah, the Mishna Berurah states, "He who cares for his soul should not involve himself in card games." Instead, the festivities of Chanukah should be combined with the study of Torah.
