[Avodah] Lighting Neros on Yom Tov

[Shoshana L. Boublil]

> Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 01:17:18 GMT
> From: "kennethgmiller at juno.com" <kennethgmiller at juno.com>
> Subject: [Avodah] Lighting Neros on Yom Tov
> Message-ID: <20061028.181809.2325.1314385 at webmail23.lax.untd.com>
 
> We know that when melacha is allowed on Yom Tov, it is not a blanket 
> heter. The melacha is allowed only if there is a *need* for that 
> action. 
[del]
> So we have two cases about lighting a fire on Yom Tov specifically 
> for a mitzvah, not for actual use. Both are left as a "Tzarich Iyun". 
[del]

I would highly recommend reading Rav Chaim David HaLevy's article in his book Mekor Chaim HaShalem on the issue of Shabbat and Yom Tov candles, and their need.
 
> Namely, the Yom Tov candles themselves. Sometimes they are lit before 
> Yom Tov, but sometimes we light them on Yom Tov itself. (See footnote 
> 1 for more details.)

> Is this melacha mutar? To me, this case seems similar to the other 
> two cases, a Tzarich Iyun. 
 
> It is undeniable that the whole world *does* light under these 
> conditions, and has been doing so for decades. But what is the heter?
 
> Are there any other poskim who deal with this question? In light of 
> Shaar Hatziyun 435:9, how do we light Neros Yom Tov when the room is 
> already full of electric light? Perhaps we must arrange things so 
> that they are lit only in a dark room?

To continue, according to Rav Chaim David HaLevy, the more lights the merrier.  Following his ruling and explanations, I have made a point of actually having more electric lights on than in the past.

> (Footnote 1: Some have the minhag to always light Neros Yom Tov after 
> Yom Tov has already started, so this question always applies to them. 
> Others usually light beforehand (like on Shabbos) but even they often 
> light on Yom Tov itself: 

Rav Ovadia Yosef (I don't have the source) states that on Yom Tov, first we have to say the Beracha and only then light the candles (on Shabbat we light first).

For Yom Tov Sheni it is customary to use an existing flame to light the candles, so there is no real question here.

> (Footnote 2: He asks how the bracha 
> may be said on such a lighting, since no hanaah will be gotten from 
> those candles. 

As for the Hanaah, they bring Shalom La'Olam, specifically by the intent in their lighting and this is not negated by the presence of electric light.



Shoshana L. Boublil