Kosher Oil, Wicks, and Candles for Chanuka: Difference between revisions
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== The Oils that are Kosher== | == The Oils that are Kosher== | ||
# It is preferable to light with olive oil because that was the oil used in the Beit Hamikdash which with the miracle occurred. If one doesn’t have oil, one can use wax. Some specifically use wax candles because they burn brightly.<ref> There is a dispute in the Gemara ([[Shabbat]] 21b) whether the oils that are invalid for [[Shabbat]] are also invalid for [[Chanuka]]. The Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:6), Tur and Shulchan Aruch 673:1 rule that they are Kosher for [[Chanuka]], even if not for [[Shabbat]]. Tosfot ([[Shabbat]] 23a, s.v. MeReish Hava), Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] 7), Roke’ach 226, Kol Bo 44, Manhig, Hagahot Maimon ([[Chanukah]] 4:5), Meiri ([[Shabbat]] 21a,23a), and Mordechai 268 in name of Maharam hold that all oils are Kosher for [[Chanukah]] and olive oil is the best. The Rama 673:1 codifies the opinion of Tosfot. <br /> | # It is preferable to light with olive oil because that was the oil used in the Beit Hamikdash which with the miracle occurred. If one doesn’t have oil, one can use wax. Some specifically use wax candles because they burn brightly.<ref> There is a dispute in the Gemara ([[Shabbat]] 21b) whether the oils that are invalid for [[Shabbat]] are also invalid for [[Chanuka]]. The Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:6), Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 673:1 rule that they are Kosher for [[Chanuka]], even if not for [[Shabbat]]. Tosfot ([[Shabbat]] 23a, s.v. MeReish Hava), Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] 7), Roke’ach 226, Kol Bo 44, Manhig, Hagahot Maimon ([[Chanukah]] 4:5), Meiri ([[Shabbat]] 21a,23a), and Mordechai 268 in name of Maharam hold that all oils are Kosher for [[Chanukah]] and olive oil is the best. The Rama 673:1 codifies the opinion of Tosfot. <br /> | ||
There are 4 opinions about using wax candles: 1) Sefer Minhagim of Rav Yitzchak Tirna 144, Darkei Moshe 673:1 in name of Rabbi Avraham of Prag, Levush 673:2 and Mateh Moshe 990 writes the wax is equal to olive oil 2) Chaye Adam 154:8 and Pri Megadim A"A 676:5 seem to equate wax with other oils. 3) Meiri 21a (s.v. Mimah), Mahari MeBruna 39, Maharshal 85, Sh”t Chacham Tzvi 45, and Mishna Brurah 673:4 say any oil is preferable to wax. 4) Mor Ukesiah 673 and Maharal (Ner Mitzvah (pg 97) quoted referenced by Shaar Hatziyun 773:4 disqualifies wax altogether. <br /> | There are 4 opinions about using wax candles: 1) Sefer Minhagim of Rav Yitzchak Tirna 144, Darkei Moshe 673:1 in name of Rabbi Avraham of Prag, Levush 673:2 and Mateh Moshe 990 writes the wax is equal to olive oil 2) Chaye Adam 154:8 and Pri Megadim A"A 676:5 seem to equate wax with other oils. 3) Meiri 21a (s.v. Mimah), Mahari MeBruna 39, Maharshal 85, Sh”t Chacham Tzvi 45, and Mishna Brurah 673:4 say any oil is preferable to wax. 4) Mor Ukesiah 673 and Maharal (Ner Mitzvah (pg 97) quoted referenced by Shaar Hatziyun 773:4 disqualifies wax altogether. <br /> | ||
Concerning propane see Torat HaMoadim 5:1 </ref> | Concerning propane see Torat HaMoadim 5:1 </ref> | ||
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# Someone involved in sticking wax candles to the Chanukia and then finds oil, should switch to use oil. If one started the bracha on the wax candles one can’t switch to oil.<ref> Sh”t Shevut Yacov 1:37 says once one sticks the wax candles to the Chanukia one began the mitzvah and shouldn’t change to oil. Sh”t Chacham Tzvi 45 argues that that isn’t called starting the mitzvah. Sh”t Shevut Yacov defends himself in [[teshuva]] 2:30 and agrees even though one started the mitzvah one doesn’t have to change to oil but can if he wants to be strict. Most of the Achronim hold like the Chacham Tzvi including:Sh”t Shaar Yosef 8, Birkei Yosef 673:3, Sh”t Yad Eliyahu Melublin 42, Sh”t Tiferet Yosef O”C 36, Sh”t Nachalat Binyamin O”C 132, Sh”t Shelat Shalom (Kama 113), and Kol Sinai (Kislev 5725). Shaarei Teshuva 673:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 673:6 say that once one begins the bracha one can’t change to oil at all. </ref> | # Someone involved in sticking wax candles to the Chanukia and then finds oil, should switch to use oil. If one started the bracha on the wax candles one can’t switch to oil.<ref> Sh”t Shevut Yacov 1:37 says once one sticks the wax candles to the Chanukia one began the mitzvah and shouldn’t change to oil. Sh”t Chacham Tzvi 45 argues that that isn’t called starting the mitzvah. Sh”t Shevut Yacov defends himself in [[teshuva]] 2:30 and agrees even though one started the mitzvah one doesn’t have to change to oil but can if he wants to be strict. Most of the Achronim hold like the Chacham Tzvi including:Sh”t Shaar Yosef 8, Birkei Yosef 673:3, Sh”t Yad Eliyahu Melublin 42, Sh”t Tiferet Yosef O”C 36, Sh”t Nachalat Binyamin O”C 132, Sh”t Shelat Shalom (Kama 113), and Kol Sinai (Kislev 5725). Shaarei Teshuva 673:1 and Aruch HaShulchan 673:6 say that once one begins the bracha one can’t change to oil at all. </ref> | ||
# Oils that spoiled that are inedible are unfit, unless it’s inedible because it’s bitter and it’s not spoiled is fit just like wax which is fit even though it’s inedible.<ref> S”A 154:12 if a mouse is found in the oil and it makes it spoiled it can’t be used to light in the Shul. Knesset Hagedolah extends this halacha to all candles of mitzvah. Pri Megadim A”A 154:19, M”Z 154:10, Erech Hashulchan Y”D 104:10, Mishna Brurah 673:3 say this law explicitly by [[Chanukah]]. By lighting in a shul, Magen Avraham 154:15, Olot Tamid 154:15, Ben Ish Chai (Vayeshev 12) say that spoiling that makes it inedible is unfit but if it’s just bitter it’s fit. </ref> | # Oils that spoiled that are inedible are unfit, unless it’s inedible because it’s bitter and it’s not spoiled is fit just like wax which is fit even though it’s inedible.<ref> S”A 154:12 if a mouse is found in the oil and it makes it spoiled it can’t be used to light in the Shul. Knesset Hagedolah extends this halacha to all candles of mitzvah. Pri Megadim A”A 154:19, M”Z 154:10, Erech Hashulchan Y”D 104:10, Mishna Brurah 673:3 say this law explicitly by [[Chanukah]]. By lighting in a shul, Magen Avraham 154:15, Olot Tamid 154:15, Ben Ish Chai (Vayeshev 12) say that spoiling that makes it inedible is unfit but if it’s just bitter it’s fit. </ref> | ||
# All wicks and oils are kosher for [[Chanukah]] candles even the wicks and oils that are unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles such as wicks of cotton, hair or silk, and oils of castor oil or pitch (See Hilchot [[Shabbat]] Candles), which the wicks don’t draw well from the oil.<ref> [[Shabbat]] 21a brings a dispute in the Amoraim. We hold that these wicks and oils are permitted for [[Chanukah]]. It’s only a potential issue on Friday afternoon and even then it’s permitted since we are not afraid that on [[Shabbat]] you’ll fix the wick (to draw better) because the [[Chanukah]] candles are forbidden to benefit from their light and if they go out one | # All wicks and oils are kosher for [[Chanukah]] candles even the wicks and oils that are unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles such as wicks of cotton, hair or silk, and oils of castor oil or pitch (See Hilchot [[Shabbat]] Candles), which the wicks don’t draw well from the oil.<ref> [[Shabbat]] 21a brings a dispute in the Amoraim. We hold that these wicks and oils are permitted for [[Chanukah]]. It’s only a potential issue on Friday afternoon and even then it’s permitted since we are not afraid that on [[Shabbat]] you’ll fix the wick (to draw better) because the [[Chanukah]] candles are forbidden to benefit from their light and if they go out one doesn't have to relight them. Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:6), Tur and S”A 673:1. </ref> | ||
# On Friday afternoon if one puts in the exact measure required, enough oil for a half hour after Tzet, he can use the unfit wicks and oils (wicks and oils unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles). However if he puts in a lot of oil to last longer than the half hour after Tzet, he may not use the unfit wicks and oils (wicks and oils unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles).The Shamash on Friday afternoon can’t be lit with the unfit wicks and oils.<ref> Meiri([[Shabbat]] 21b), Sh”t Rashba 1:170, Bet Yosef 673, Rama 673:1 say this difference by Friday afternoon. S”A 672:2 rules that if the oil lasts longer than the required half hour it’s permitted for benefit. Therefore, the Bach 673, Pri [[Chadash]] 673, Eliyah Raba 673:5, Pri Megadim M”Z 673:2, and Mishna Brurah 673:6 write that there’s a concern that one will fix the wick to draw better and violate [[Shabbat]]. Similarly the Bach 673, Shaarei Knesset Hagedolah 673:5, Magen Avraham 673:1, Eliyah Raba 673:3, and Pri [[Chadash]] 673 write that the Shamash can’t be lit with unfit wicks and oils because it’s permitted for benefit and there’s an issue of fixing it to improve it. </ref> | # On Friday afternoon if one puts in the exact measure required, enough oil for a half hour after Tzet, he can use the unfit wicks and oils (wicks and oils unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles). However if he puts in a lot of oil to last longer than the half hour after Tzet, he may not use the unfit wicks and oils (wicks and oils unfit for [[Shabbat]] candles).The Shamash on Friday afternoon can’t be lit with the unfit wicks and oils.<ref> Meiri([[Shabbat]] 21b), Sh”t Rashba 1:170, Bet Yosef 673, Rama 673:1 say this difference by Friday afternoon. S”A 672:2 rules that if the oil lasts longer than the required half hour it’s permitted for benefit. Therefore, the Bach 673, Pri [[Chadash]] 673, Eliyah Raba 673:5, Pri Megadim M”Z 673:2, and Mishna Brurah 673:6 write that there’s a concern that one will fix the wick to draw better and violate [[Shabbat]]. Similarly the Bach 673, Shaarei Knesset Hagedolah 673:5, Magen Avraham 673:1, Eliyah Raba 673:3, and Pri [[Chadash]] 673 write that the Shamash can’t be lit with unfit wicks and oils because it’s permitted for benefit and there’s an issue of fixing it to improve it. </ref> | ||
# Some have the Minhag to add some water to the oil as long as the wick is immersed in the oil so that it’s able to light. <Ref> Yafeh Lelev 2, 671:2. </ref> | # Some have the Minhag to add some water to the oil as long as the wick is immersed in the oil so that it’s able to light. <Ref> Yafeh Lelev 2, 671:2. </ref> | ||
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==Chanukia For Chanukah Candles== | ==Chanukia For Chanukah Candles== | ||
# Preferably, one should use a chanukia and not just stick wax candles on top of a counter and light them as such. <Ref> Chacham Tzvi 45 holds that sticking wax candles without a chanukia is fine. Mishna Brurah 671:18 clearly implies this way as well. Yalkut Yosef 671:15 writes that one should be strict to use a chanukia because some hold that it is absolutely necessary. Avnei Nezer OC 2:500 quotes that the Chessed L’avraham who says that this is a requirement. Rav Hershel Schachter (“Bava Metsia Shiur 35” min. 17-9) strongly recommended using a chanukia, but mentioned that on occasion Rav Soloveitchik would light wax candles directly on a window sill. </ref> | # Preferably, one should use a chanukia and not just stick wax candles on top of a counter and light them as such. <Ref> Chacham Tzvi 45 holds that sticking wax candles without a chanukia is fine. Mishna Brurah 671:18 clearly implies this way as well. Yalkut Yosef 671:15 writes that one should be strict to use a chanukia because some hold that it is absolutely necessary. Avnei Nezer OC 2:500 quotes that the Chessed L’avraham who says that this is a requirement. [https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/784652/rabbi-hershel-schachter/shiur-35-bava-metzia-%d7%a2%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%99-%d7%97%d7%a0%d7%95%d7%9b%d7%94-%d7%a8%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%91-%d7%a7%d7%a0%d7%99/ Rav Hershel Schachter (“Bava Metsia Shiur 35” min. 17-9)] strongly recommended using a chanukia, but mentioned that on occasion Rav Soloveitchik would light wax candles directly on a window sill. </ref> | ||
==Related Pages== | ==Related Pages== | ||
# [[Chanukah Candle Lighting]] | # [[Chanukah Candle Lighting]] | ||
