[Avodah] How to light the Menorah

[Alan Rubin]

As far as I recall, ever since I started using oil for the menorah 
(probably the last 25 years) I have been using oil for the shammas as 
well. It can be a bit tricky lighting with a shammas and I usually end 
up spilling some oil.

What does the panel think is preferable:

1. using a candle as the shammas

2. switching to the sefardi minhag of using another candle to light both 
the main lights and the shammas

I did find this quote from Rabbis Barclay and Jaeger's book 'Guidelines 
to Chanukah'.

 > 119. Should one use oil or a candle for the /shamash/?

 >* According to the Ashkenazic custom mentioned above, it is customary 
to use a candle for the /shamash
 >/ for practical reasons; it is much more convenient to kindle the 
lights with a candle than with an oil light.

 >* According to the Sephardic custom, one may use either a candle or 
oil for the /shamash/, since this light is
 > not used to kindle the others.

 > * Some opinions recommend using a candle for the /shamash/ if the 
main lights are oil, in order to make it
 > clear that it is not included in the number of Chanukah lights.

Alan Rubin