Havdalah: Difference between revisions
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# The minhag is to look at one's fingernails during the havdalah in order to indicate that one is getting benefit from the candle to see the difference between one's nails and flesh.<ref>Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 298:3, Zohar 2:208b:2</ref> | # The minhag is to look at one's fingernails during the havdalah in order to indicate that one is getting benefit from the candle to see the difference between one's nails and flesh.<ref>Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 298:3, Zohar 2:208b:2</ref> | ||
#A person needs to be able to benefit from the fire in order to recite the bracha over it. Therefore, some turn off the electric lights when making Havdalah, but others hold that the strict halacha doesn't require turning off the lights.<ref>[https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=64191 Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Matot Masei 5778 min 49)] said that the strict halacha doesn't require a person to turn off the electric lights since if all that is required is that if the lights were to be off it would be possible to benefit from the candle and see the difference between coins which is possible from a distance.</ref> | #A person needs to be able to benefit from the fire in order to recite the bracha over it. Therefore, some turn off the electric lights when making Havdalah,<ref>Rivevot Efraim 2:115:32 citing Teshuvot Vehanhagot 6:90</ref> but others hold that the strict halacha doesn't require turning off the lights.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Shabbat v. 2 p. 439, Yalkut Yosef 298:10 Shabbat v. 1 p. 477. [https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=64191 Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Matot Masei 5778 min 49)] said that the strict halacha doesn't require a person to turn off the electric lights since if all that is required is that if the lights were to be off it would be possible to benefit from the candle and see the difference between coins which is possible from a distance.</ref> | ||
#Some poskim allow one to use an electric light in place of a Havdala candle in a time of need.<ref>Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6, Az Nidberu 8:2, Rivevot Ephraim 3:599. see also Mishpitei Uziel OC 1:9 </ref> In fact, it is reported that Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky would always use an electric bulb for Havdala in order to demonstrate how strongly he felt that electricity is to be treated exactly like fire from the perspective of halacha.<ref>Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6. Sh"t Nachalat Shimon 15 says this was the practice of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik </ref> | #Some poskim allow one to use an electric light in place of a Havdala candle in a time of need.<ref>Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6, Az Nidberu 8:2, Rivevot Ephraim 3:599. see also Mishpitei Uziel OC 1:9 </ref> In fact, it is reported that Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky would always use an electric bulb for Havdala in order to demonstrate how strongly he felt that electricity is to be treated exactly like fire from the perspective of halacha.<ref>Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6. Sh"t Nachalat Shimon 15 says this was the practice of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik </ref> | ||
#Nevertheless, there are those authorities who discourage the use of an electric light for Havdala. Among their opposition to is the fact that the blessing recited upon the Havdala candle includes the word "fire" which seems to imply the need for actual fire, not merely light. As such a light bulb would not be acceptable according to this view.<ref>Har Tzvi 2:114, Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:39, Maharshag 2:107, Kitzur S"A of Rabbi Raphael Baruch Toledano pg. 323 </ref> Even among the authorities who permit the use of electric lighting when needed many would disqualify the use of fluorescent bulbs as they work differently than standard light bulbs.<ref>Hachashmal L’or Hahalacha 3:88 </ref> | #Nevertheless, there are those authorities who discourage the use of an electric light for Havdala. Among their opposition to is the fact that the blessing recited upon the Havdala candle includes the word "fire" which seems to imply the need for actual fire, not merely light. As such a light bulb would not be acceptable according to this view.<ref>Har Tzvi 2:114, Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:39, Maharshag 2:107, Kitzur S"A of Rabbi Raphael Baruch Toledano pg. 323 </ref> Even among the authorities who permit the use of electric lighting when needed many would disqualify the use of fluorescent bulbs as they work differently than standard light bulbs.<ref>Hachashmal L’or Hahalacha 3:88 </ref> | ||
