DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 942 KB)
May One Move Candlesticks on Shabbat After the Candles Have Burned Out?

It often happens that a person wants to move the Shabbat candlesticks, such as to make room on the table or for some other purpose. Similarly, people sometimes wish to move the Hanukah candles on Friday night after the candles have burned out, out of concern that the children might knock them over, or because they are taking up space. Under what circumstances is it permissible to move candlesticks or a Menorah on Shabbat?

Halacha strictly forbids moving candlesticks on Shabbat while the candles are burning. And even after the candles have burned out, the candlesticks remain forbidden to be moved, as they are considered Mukseh. However, one is able to circumvent this prohibition by making a stipulation at the time of the candle lighting. Before the woman lights the Shabbat candles, she should verbally state that the candlesticks should not be Mukseh and should be allowed to be moved after the candles burn out. This is the explicit ruling of the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 279:4). Hacham Ovadia adds that it suffices to make this condition once a year, stating that for the rest of the year the candlesticks should be allowed to be moved on Shabbat after the flames go out. This is, indeed, a worthwhile custom to adopt in order to enable moving candlesticks on Shabbat without any concern.

There is some debate among the Halachic authorities as to how far this Halacha extends. Several Poskim (including the Mishna Berura and Kaf Ha’haim) maintain that making this stipulation is only effective in rendering the candlesticks a "Keli She’melachto Le’issur." This means that the candlesticks may be moved if they are needed for some permissible purpose, or if the space is needed, but not for the purpose of protecting them (such as if they are in the sun and may become tarnished) or for no purpose. This is also the ruling of Rabbi Moshe Halevi (Israel, 1961-2001), in his work Tefila Le’Moshe. Hacham Ovadia (listen to audio recording for precise citation), however, disagrees, noting that numerous Rishonim (including the Ra’avad, Ramban, Rashba, and Rashbatz), as well as the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in his Birkeh Yosef, maintain that the stipulation allows moving the candlesticks for any purpose. And thus by making such a stipulation, the candlesticks are allowed to be moved on Shabbat without any restrictions whatsoever.

Summary: It is forbidden to move candlesticks on Shabbat, even after the candles burn out. However, if one makes a stipulation before Shabbat that he wishes to move the candlesticks after the flames go out, he may, and one may even make such a stipulation once a year to cover the entire year.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
If the Hazan Forgot to Recite Ya’aleh Ve’yabo During the Repetition of the Amida on Rosh Hodesh
Should Two Kaddishim be Recited if a Shiur is Given Immediately Before Arbit?
Reciting “Yiheyu Le’rason Imreh Fi” at the End of the Amida
The Kaddish Before Baruch She’amar
The Value of Praying “Vatikin” and Studying Torah Before Prayer
The Importance and Significance of Birkat Ha’lebana
The Custom Among Syrian Jews Regarding the Text of “Ve’la’minim” and Other Portions of the Amida
Adding Prayers for Forgiveness and for One’s Livelihood in “Shema Kolenu”
If One Mistakenly Recited “Morid Ha’tal” Instead of “Mashib Ha’ru’ah U’morid Ha’geshem”
Should a Mourner be Called for an Aliya if He is the Only Kohen in Attendance?
May Birkat Kohanim be Recited if a Non-Jew is Present
If a Kohen Was Mistakenly Called for the Second Aliya; Calling Kohanim for Later Aliyot
How Should the Aliyot be Arranged in a Minyan of Only Kohanim, or if There is Only One Yisrael?
Birkat Kohanim – The Hazan’s Announcement of “Kohanim”; If There is One Kohen or No Kohanim Present
Birkat Kohanim in a Place Without a Sefer Torah; One Who Enters the Synagogue During Birkat Kohanim; Reciting Birkat Kohanim Several Times in One Day
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found