DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 1.23 MB)
Hanukah: If the Candles Blew Out After Lighting

The famous Halachic rule states: "Hadlaka Osah Misva"-The Misva of Hanukah candles is fulfilled immediately upon lighting. Therefore, "Kavta- En Zakuk La"-If the candles inadvertently blew out immediately after being lit, it is not obligatory to relight them, as long as they had enough oil to potentially burn the requisite time. This applies not only to lighting on weekdays, but even Ereb Shabbat, when they blew out before dark.

If one extinguished the candles on purpose, he should relight without a Beracha. If they blew out inadvertently, and one wants to be stringent and relight them, Hacham Ovadia rules Tavo Alav Beracha, it is praiseworthy. This is especially true on Ereb Shabbat, when some Poskim rule that by law he is obligated to relight.

If on the sixth night, the first candle went out before he lit the sixth, The Biur Halacha states that although he lit a total of six candles, it is not considered "Mehadrin Min HaMehadrin"-the ideal way to fulfil the Misva, since the six candles were not all lit at the same time.

The Mishna Berura rules that "Kavta En Zakuk La" applies only if the candles were lit in a place that was suitable for lighting. Therefore, if it was windy at the time of lighting and the candles became extinguished, they must be relit. Hacham Bension discusses whether this applies to those who light outside in the special glass boxes. The boxes do have a glass cover that prevents the wind from entering. On the other hand, at the actual time of lighting the box is open and the wind can enter. He rules that even if the candle blew out while the box was still open, he does not have to relight it, since the box is designed to be outside.

SUMMARY
Even if the candles blew out inadvertently immediately after lighting, it is not required to relight them, even on Ereb Shabbat. If one wants to relight them, it is praiseworthy. If one blew them out on purpose, he must relight, albeit without a Beracha. If the candles blew out from the wind, while being lit in the special glass box outside, it is not required to relight them.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Must All Three People Have Eaten Bread in Order to Recite a Zimun?
The Obligation of Zimun Before Birkat Ha’mazon
The Abridged Birkat Ha’mazon – The Modern-Day Relevance of an Ancient Practice
Laws and Customs Relevant to the Final Portion of Birkat Ha’mazon
When is the Word “Magdil” in Birkat Ha’mazon Replaced With “Migdol”
If a Woman Realized After “Boneh Yerushalayim” at Se’uda Shelishit That She Had Omitted “Reseh”
Adding “Reseh” in Birkat Ha’mazon When Se’uda Shelishit Ends After Nightfall
If One Realized After “Boneh Yerushalayim” in Birkat Ha’mazon of Se’uda Shelishit That He Forgot “Reseh”
Reciting the Beracha Aharona As Soon as Possible After Drinking
If One Completed “Boreh Yerushalayim” in Birkat Ha’mazon and is Unsure Whether He Recited “Reseh”
If a Woman Forgot to Recite “Reseh” or “Ya’aleh Ve’yabo” in Birkat Ha’mazon
If One Forgot “Reseh” in Birkat Ha’mazon and Remembered After Reciting, “Baruch Ata Hashem”
If One Forgot to Recite “Reseh” Before “Ya’aleh Be’Yabo” in Birkat Ha’mazon
Should One Recite Birkat Ha’mazon if He is Inebriated?
Reciting Birkat Ha’mazon From a Written Text, in an Audible Voice, and With Concentration
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found