[Avodah] How to light the Menorah

[Alan Rubin]

Rn Katz's reply, below, might express the halacha but I was not asking
what the strict halacha is. If the Ashkenazi minhag is to use the
shammas to light the menorah then perhaps there is some importance in
sticking with that minhag.

On 12/16/09, T613K at aol.com <T613K at aol.com> wrote:
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> From: Alan Rubin alan at rubin.org.uk
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> 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.....
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> The purpose of the shamash is to provide light so that you don't end up
> inadvertently using the light of the Chanukah flames for your personal use.
> The menorah flames are just for pirsuma nisa and nothing else -- but if you
> want to see anything in the room or read by the light of the menorah (like
> read Maoz Tzur in the siddur, for example, by the light of the menorah) you
> must have a shamash.  You don't have to light the menorah/mitzva lights with
> the shamash.
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> Therefore what  you use to light the flames is irrelevant.  You use what is
> convenient, that's all -- a match, a candle, a cigarette lighter, whatever
> you want.