Chanukah is the Jewish festival of lights to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, this rededication took place after defeating the Greek occupying force in the Maccabean revolt. The main way of commemorating the festival of lights is by lighting a menorah, which is a multi-branched candelabrum. With the advent of electricity, it became more common for electric menorahs to be used as a part of Chanukah. Turning on or off electricity on Shabbat is commonly considered a biblical violation of making a fire on Shabbat, although I took issue with the argument over a decade ago. It was this normative practice surrounding electricity on Shabbat that I was surprised to see that the use of electric menorahs on Chanukah was even a debate.
It makes sense to have an electric menorah in such places as hospitals, hotel rooms, and college dorms where lighting candles is not permitted. These exceptions notwithstanding, there are multiple arguments against an electric menorah (see here, here). One of the arguments against using an electric menorah is that the original miracle was created using fuel, wicks, and olive oil. This would explain why there traditionally has been a preference for using olive oil to light the menorah instead of using wax candles or another type of oil. The normative opinion is that an electric menorah does not fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the menorah because it does not really have fuel, wicks, or oil. Conversely, the menorah we use today has nine branches; the one used in the Temple has seven. So in at least one aspect, Jews have deviated from the original practice in the Temple.
I think there can be some back-and-forth based on the Talmudic discussion about menorahs in Shabbat 23b. On the one hand, the Talmud does not even mention whether we should consider performing the mitzvah with olive oil because it best mimics the original miracle. The discussion in the Talmud is very much based on the quality of light that is produced rather than the type of flame, as R. Sholom Segal from the Union of Traditional Judiasm argues. If it is about having the brightest, most consistent light, an electric menorah would arguably outshine its counterparts.
On the other hand, the end of Shabbat 23b states that the light is supposed to be a single wick (נר) and not a blaze of fire (מדורה). An argument could be made that neither incandescent, fluorescent, nor LED bulbs qualify as a wick under Jewish law. An incandescent light bulb has an arc-shaped filament that acts more as a blaze of fire than a single wick. Fluorescents do not have the status of fire under Jewish law (Shvut Yitzhak). Similarly, LED lights do not burn anything and emit a minimal amount of heat (R. Dov Linzer).
With any new technology, there is going to be debate as to if and how a new invention or innovation can fit within the confines of Jewish tradition. Like with so many debates in Jewish law, I ask what is the deeper meaning behind asking whether we should use electric menorahs.
In this case, I ask myself what are the most important elements of lighting the menorah. As the Talmud brings up, the first point is that the light is adequately bright enough to see. The second reason, which is related to the first, is that Jews publicize the menorah and the miracle of Chanukah.
I like the act of lighting a match and igniting the wick. I like seeing the candle lights wax and wane as the candles burn. For me, there is an aesthetic and feeling I get when I use wax candles. It takes me to a time in which I was not born, and it gives me a sense of connection that I do not get with an electric menorah or lighting with olive oil. Flicking an electric switch to turn on the candelabrum does not have the same feel.
I also like what I wrote in 2016 when I illustrated the spiritual difference between olive oil versus wax candles. The olive oil represents spiritual purity and doing our best. As a recovering perfectionist, I appreciate the symbolism of the wax candles representing that we do our best, spiritually or otherwise, with what we have. As much as I believe in trying our best, we should also accept that our best has limits and be satisfied with the effort we put into the endeavor.
Using the wax candles is what resonates with me for lighting the menorah. Some like the use of olive oil because it is more similar to the ancient practice. Especially since there is a plausible debate within the confines of the legalistic technicalities and minutiae under halacha (Jewish law), I am not going to take personal issue with someone using an electric menorah to fulfill the mitzvah.
Right now, there is a normative preference for olive oil or wax candles. Who knows what it will look like in the next few generations? Wax candles had opposition when they were first used. The Maharal of Prague forbade the use of wax candles because it did not adequately resemble the miracle. However, R. Moses Isserles allowed them because they gave off a clear flame. Maybe what is more important is bringing light into this world. Maybe the fact we use a single wick instead of a torch helps us grasp with our limits as to how much we can better ourselves and the world around us. On the other hand, maybe the electric menorah can symbolize that we can shine brighter than we previously thought possible.
I know some will disagree, but Chanukah is not only about remembering about what happened as a result of the Maccabean revolt. I think what is most important with regards to lighting the menorah is bringing light into the world. We all bring light differently into this world. Even if we do not fully understand or agree with it, we should do our best to understand our neighbors that are different from us. We should remind ourselves that even if the path is different, we are trying our utmost to bring in as much light in the world as possible. May your Chanukah be full of light and joy!
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