When Chanukah Candles Go Out Early
One of the most important mitzvot on Chanukah and the lighting of candles to display in the window is pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle. However, what happens when for some reason out of our control the candles go out early? Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman as he explores the writings of the Benei Yisochar and Rav Kook land whether the candles must be relit or not.
When Chanukah Candles Go Out Early: When Chanukah Candles Go Out Early
It is well known that that on we light candles to publicize the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.
This being the case we need to understand a Halacha of Chanukah that seems to contradict this idea. The Chanukah candles need to be such that they can stay lit for a half hour. If wax candles are used they must be long enough, if one uses oil lamps then one must put sufficient oil in the lamps. But what happens if the candles go out too soon? This is where the Halacha surprises us. If the candles go out quickly, even if they go out immediately, there is no need to re-light them. But how then is the miracle publicized?
Two remrkably original thinkers explain this Halacha. I am referring to the Chasidic teacher, Rav Tzvi Elimelech zt”l of Dinov in his work “Bnei Yissacher” and to Rav Kook zt”l in his work “Ein Aya” and we shall see what they taught today.
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.