Ask the Rabbi #106
Extinguish and Distinguish
Brian Connack from Jerusalem wrote:
I would like to ask the rabbi a question. I have noticed that when people put out their havdalah candles after Shabbat, rather that blowing the candle out they put it out in the spilled wine. I was also at a birthday party recently and the hostess insisted that the birthday boy not blow out the candles, rather she put them out by hand. I would like to know if there is any basis to this custom and if there is, what is the difference between blowing out a candle and extinguishing it by hand.
Dear Brian,
There are actually three customs here:
- Extinguishing the havdalah candle after havdalah
- Extinguishing it in wine
- Not blowing out candles in general
"Wine spilling like water," says the Talmud, "is a sign of blessing." In order to start the week off right, we fill the cup of havdalah so that a little spills out. And not only do we spill wine, but we spill it 'like water.' That is, we use it lavishly -- to put out a flame; something you would never think of doing with wine.
As for not blowing out candles in general, the following reason has been said in the name of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (the 'Steipler'), zatzal:
There's an angel whose name is the same as the sound produced when you blow out with force. According to Kabbalistic tradition, it's improper to make use of the names of holy angels. Many people, therefore, extinguish candles by hand in order not to pronounce the name of this angel.
Another explanation: The Torah depicts man's soul as being a 'breath' from Hashem. The soul is also compared to a flame. Using your breath to blow out a candle is an ironic gesture, using one 'soul' to extinguish another.
I know a rabbi who puts out candles by saying the word 'Purim,' forcefully emphasizing the letter 'P'. And a friend of mine saw his Kung Fu instructor put out a candle by punching it!
Sources:
- Rama, Orach Chaim 296:1
- Shulchan Aruch HaRav 296:5
- Kaf Hachaim, Yoreh De'ah chapter 116 halacha 115
- Responsa Rivevot Ephraim IV 45:35, that one shouldn't blow out a flame
Another Workout
In Ask The Rabbi #102, we answered Yoel's question about whether he is obligated to exercise upon the insistance of his parents.
Gili Houpt, Yeshiva University wrote:
...I just wanted to say that it's very refreshing to hear a rabbi giving such advice. I'm a Yeshiva U. student who's been involved with kiruv (Jewish education). Sometimes I see ba'alei t'shuva who feel they must reject everything that won't directly enhance their quest for spiritual perfection. Also - you might suggest to Yoel that he try learning Torah while on the treadmill. I've found this a very useful way to 'kill two birds with one stone.'
Regarding our "flabby" comments, Yonasan R. of Jerusalem commented:
"Weren't you a bit too tough on that poor guy?"
Thanks, Gili and Yonasan and everyone else who commented.
Yiddle Riddle
Reuven Davis sent in the following riddle, which he heard from Avigdor Frankenhauser:
Which verse do we say every day in the prayers, that starts and ends with the same three words in the same order!"
- Written by Rabbi Moshe Lazerus, Rabbi Reuven Subar,
Rabbi Avrohom Lefkowitz and other Rabbis at Ohr Somayach Institutions / Tanenbaum College, Jerusalem, Israel.
- General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
- Production Design: Lev Seltzer
- HTMIL Design: Michael Treblow
© 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.
This publication is available via E-Mail
Ohr Somayach Institutions is an international network of Yeshivot and outreach centers, with branches in North America, Europe, South Africa and South America. The Central Campus in Jerusalem provides a full range of educational services for over 685 full-time students.
The Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) of Ohr Somayach offers summer and winter programs in Israel that attract hundreds of university students from around the world for 3 to 8 weeks of study and touring.
Ohr Somayach's Web site is hosted by TeamGenesis
Copyright © 1995
Ohr Somayach International.
Send us Feedback.Dedication opportunities are available for Ask The Rabbi. Please contact us for details.
