כבתה זקוק לה- The Extinguishing Menorah
A. The Talmud
The Second Chapter of Tractate Shabbos opens with a discussion of the types of wicks and oils that may be used for lighting Shabbos candles. The concern on Shabbos is that the light should burn brightly and not go out after Shabbos has begun. Since the idea behind Shabbos candles is to ensure that there is light in the home so that Shabbos should be more enjoyable, we want to make sure that it burns brightly. Since adjusting or re-igniting the flame is prohibited on Shabbos, we want to make sure that the light is not apt to go out.
The question posed in the Gemara is whether or not the criteria for selecting wicks and oil are the same on Chanuka as they are on Shabbos. The issues revolve around whether or not you are responsible to relight the candles if they go out unexpectedly before the minimum half-hour burning time is over. If you are obligated to relight if it is extinguished then care should be taken to use the best quality wicks and oil so that it does not extinguish and you are not going to have to go through the trouble of relighting the candles. If however, you are no longer responsible once you lit the candles, and if they go out you have no obligation to relight, then we won't be so strict about what you choose as your wicks and fuel.
There would be a secondary issue when it comes to lighting Chanukah candles on Friday that will remain lit into Shabbos. The issue is f you may utilize the light of the Chanukah candles for your own purposes, e.g. reading by the light of the candles. If you may read by their light, we want you to use the highest quality so you are not going to be dealing with flickering light and tempted to extinguish. If, however, you are not permitted to utilize the light, then we are not concerned about the possibility of your needing to adjust the flame and you can use any type of wicks or oil.
B. How Shabbos affects us vs. how Chanukah affects us
The Meor Ainayim explains that on Shabbos it is the mandate of humanity to rise from the clutches of the temporal world and reconnect to God. It is necessary to create as pure and bright a light as possible in order that it rise up to higher levels as the Shabbos begins. Entering into Shabbos can't just happen by itself and requires preparation. As the Talmud says: One who prepares on Friday wil have what to eat on Shabbos.
On Chanukah the opposite occurs. God, so to speak, brings Himself down to this world and reaches everyone. Even those who can't produce the clearest, long burning, light are affected by the holiness of Chanukah. This is why we find that it is a widely observed holiday even among people who have jettisoned most other elements of observance. It is not necessary to have such high quality oils and wicks. On Chanukah anything goes.
A. The Talmud
The Second Chapter of Tractate Shabbos opens with a discussion of the types of wicks and oils that may be used for lighting Shabbos candles. The concern on Shabbos is that the light should burn brightly and not go out after Shabbos has begun. Since the idea behind Shabbos candles is to ensure that there is light in the home so that Shabbos should be more enjoyable, we want to make sure that it burns brightly. Since adjusting or re-igniting the flame is prohibited on Shabbos, we want to make sure that the light is not apt to go out.
The question posed in the Gemara is whether or not the criteria for selecting wicks and oil are the same on Chanuka as they are on Shabbos. The issues revolve around whether or not you are responsible to relight the candles if they go out unexpectedly before the minimum half-hour burning time is over. If you are obligated to relight if it is extinguished then care should be taken to use the best quality wicks and oil so that it does not extinguish and you are not going to have to go through the trouble of relighting the candles. If however, you are no longer responsible once you lit the candles, and if they go out you have no obligation to relight, then we won't be so strict about what you choose as your wicks and fuel.
There would be a secondary issue when it comes to lighting Chanukah candles on Friday that will remain lit into Shabbos. The issue is f you may utilize the light of the Chanukah candles for your own purposes, e.g. reading by the light of the candles. If you may read by their light, we want you to use the highest quality so you are not going to be dealing with flickering light and tempted to extinguish. If, however, you are not permitted to utilize the light, then we are not concerned about the possibility of your needing to adjust the flame and you can use any type of wicks or oil.
B. How Shabbos affects us vs. how Chanukah affects us
The Meor Ainayim explains that on Shabbos it is the mandate of humanity to rise from the clutches of the temporal world and reconnect to God. It is necessary to create as pure and bright a light as possible in order that it rise up to higher levels as the Shabbos begins. Entering into Shabbos can't just happen by itself and requires preparation. As the Talmud says: One who prepares on Friday wil have what to eat on Shabbos.
On Chanukah the opposite occurs. God, so to speak, brings Himself down to this world and reaches everyone. Even those who can't produce the clearest, long burning, light are affected by the holiness of Chanukah. This is why we find that it is a widely observed holiday even among people who have jettisoned most other elements of observance. It is not necessary to have such high quality oils and wicks. On Chanukah anything goes.
