Understanding the Significance of Lighting a Menorah
A menorah is a traditional Jewish candelabrum that is lit on the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. It symbolizes the miracle of oil that happened in the Jewish temple over 2000 years ago. According to the story, a small amount of oil that was supposed to last only a day after the temple was reclaimed by the Jewish people, miraculously burned for eight days. Jewish people commemorate this event by lighting the menorah for eight days.
Electric Lights vs. Traditional Candles
Traditionally, the menorah was lit using olive oil and wicks, but nowadays, it is common to use candles. With the advent of technology, electric menorahs have also gained popularity. The question persists; can a menorah be lit with electric lights?
What Do the Experts Say?
The famous Jewish philosopher and legal scholar, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, in his responsa, permitted lighting the menorah with electric lights, stating that the primary element of lighting is the symbolization and not the fuel used.
However, another well-known rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, did not permit the use of electric lights, stating that only flames created by flammable matter should be used and that a candle or oil lamp is the most suitable for a candlestick.
What Should You Do?
If you want to honor the Hanukkah tradition in the most authentic way possible, it is recommended to use traditional oil or wax candles. This is especially important during the lighting of shamash (helper candle), which must light all other candles. However, it is acceptable to use electric lights if you cannot use candles due to safety reasons, such as living in a place where candles are not allowed, or if using candles poses a fire hazard.
The Bottom Line
There are pros and cons to using electric lights or traditional candles for your menorah. While using candles gives a more traditional feel and authenticity to the celebration, electric lights are easier to maintain and pose less of a fire hazard. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but remember the real significance of the menorah lies in the symbolism, not the fuel used to light it.
