#29: Using Electric Lights for Candle Lighting on Shabbos (Part 1)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. We learned in the previous post that most oil and good wax candles may be used for candle lighting. Both Ashkenazi and Sephardic poskim disagree as to whether, and how, electric lights may be used for candle lighting in cases of need. Some say one can never use electric lights. (The “Rogatchover Gaon”, cited in Shemirat Shabbat Khilchatah, ch.43; R. Zilberstein in Torat Hayoledet 38:5)
  2. Some say that one may use electric lights that are battery powered only, since fuel present at the time of lighting is necessary. (Ohr L’tzion 2:18:12; Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah, ch.42) Some say one may use electric lights, but one may not recite a berachah upon them. (R. Moshe Feinstein, in "Radiance of Shabbos" p.12) Additional opinions and practical applications will be discussed in the next posting.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.