Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 673

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 673 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1Oils and Wicks That Are Fit for Use on Hanukkah, 4 Seifim: All oils and wicks are fit for use for the Hanukkah light, even if the oils are not drawn after the wick, and the illumination is not held well by those wicks. Rema: However, olive oil is a choice mitzvah, (Mordechai, Kol Bo and Mahari"l) and if olive oil is not available it is a mitzvah with oils whose illumination is pure and clean, and we have the custom in these countries to kindle with wax candles since their illumination is clear like oil. And even on the night of the Sabbath that is in the middle of the days Hanukkah it is permissible to kindle the Hanukkah light with the oils and wicks with which it is prohibited to kindle the Sabbath candles [this is] if one only puts in the light enough [oil] for the measure of its mitzvah. (Responsa of Rashba Section 170). since it is prohibited to utilize the Hanukkah light whether on the Sabbath or on a weekday, even to check [the authenticity of] coins or to count them by its illumination; even a holy use is prohibited, such as studying [Torah] by its illumination. And there is [an opinion] that permits a holy use. We have the custom to kindle an additional light, in order that if one uses its illumination, it would be the additional light, which was kindled last, and it should be placed at a small distance from the other obligatory lights. In these countries, we do not have the custom to add, one only places by them the auxiliary light with which he kindles the lights, and this is more preferable. And it should be made longer than the other lights, so that if he comes to use [the illumination], he will use that light. (Mordechai) If a Hanukkah light, which is prohibited for pleasure, becomes mixed with other lights, even one in a thousand, it is not nullified, for it is a thing that can be counted. (Terumat Hadeshen Section 103) Rather, one should kindle from the mixture enough [lights] that there is definitely a permissible light lit with the prohibited light, and then it would be permitted to use [their illumination]. [own opinion]
2. 2The kindling accomplishes the commandment; therefore if one extinguished it before its [minimum] time had passed, he is not bound to [rekindle] it. Even if he extinguished it on the Eve of Sabbath before accepting the Sabbath, when it is still daytime, he is not bound to [rekindle] it. Similarly, if after he kindled it he went to adjust it and unintentionally extinguished it, he is not bound to [rekindle] it. If he wants to be stringent on himself and go back and kindle it, he should not recite the benediction over it. (Responsa of Rashbah Section 539 and the R"an)
3. 3A ceramic light that one kindled one night becomes "old" and we do not kindle it on another night; rather one takes new ones every night. And if he only has an old one, he should fire it each night with a flame. A metal light does not need to be new, and [lights] of glass or of glazed ceramic have the same law as metal.
4. 4We are not concerned to replace the wicks until they are consumed.

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