I would add, however, that in a situation in which there are some concerns about using a conventional menorah (for example, an elderly person living alone), one can simply light some tea lights placed in a tray (and the tray can even be filled with water). This is no doubt the reason why those two young men gave you a conventional menorah. In light of the various potential issues discussed, one should always endeavor to use a fuel-wick-and-fire menorah. 9 (Other types of bulbs, such as fluorescent ones, don’t necessarily even have the status of “fire” and definitely should not be used. This is similar to a medurah rather than a single flame. 8 Many electric bulbs, especially incandescent ones, have an arc-shaped filament that is lit up. 7 However, there is seemingly a much more fundamental problem with using an electric menorah.Įven if there is no absolute requirement that the menorah be exactly like the one in the Temple, there is still a basic requirement that the Chanukah lights be similar to the Temple’s in that they should be a ner (single wick) and not a medurah (blaze of fire). In light of this, they explain that there is not an absolute requirement that the Chanukah menorah be exactly like the one in the Temple, and the absence of actual fuel may not be a problem. The main thing is just that it “burns.” After all, the halachah states that “all oils and wicks are acceptable for use in one’s menorah” (although as mentioned, all agree that olive oil is preferable). Others, however, explain that (a) it can be argued that the electric wires of the menorah itself are perhaps the equivalent of “wicks,” and more importantly, (b) oil or fuel isn’t even a necessary requirement for the menorah. (However, based on this reasoning alone, using a battery-powered light may indeed be permissible, since all of the “fuel” is present at the time of lighting. Since electricity is constantly being regenerated, or at the very least it isn’t all present at the time of lighting, it is similar to lighting the flame and only later adding the right amount of fuel, so one may not fulfill the mitzvah with it. If one adds the proper amount of fuel only after lighting, he has not fulfilled his requirement. The mitzvah of lighting the menorah is the actual kindling of the flames therefore, one is obligated to already have the required amount of fuel in the menorah lamp at lighting time (i.e., enough to burn for 30 minutes after nightfall). 2 Prerequisite FuelĪdditionally, even if the exact type of fuel were not an issue, there is still another potential issue. (Accordingly, it is preferable to use olive oil as the fuel.) Many are of the opinion that since electric lamps don’t really have any of these elements, one should not use them for Chanukah. Since the miracle occurred with a menorah consisting of fuel, wicks and fire, we likewise use the same type of lamp for the Chanukah menorah. 1 Fuel, Wicks and Fire-Like the Temple Menorah The following year they established the festival of Chanukah, in which we light the menorah for eight days, commemorating this miracle. A miracle occurred, and they lit the menorah with this enough-for-one-day-oil for eight days. enough to light the Temple menorah for a single day. When the Hasmonean family overpowered and were victorious over the Greeks, they searched and found only a single cruse of pure oil . . . Let’s start with why we light the menorah in the first place. At the time I was in a bit of a hurry, so I didn’t get into it, but I would still like to know: what is the story with electric menorahs? Reply: They then proceeded to tell me that while an electric menorah is good for the window, I should still light a menorah with candles (which they then gave me). I proudly replied that I had a nice big electric menorah in my window. While at the mall, I was approached by two young chassidic teenagers who asked me whether I was Jewish and if I had a menorah at home.
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