Monday, January 14, 2008

Catching wax which drips from Shabbat candles

Hi,

We have been learning about lighting Shabbat candles.

Two notes of preface:
1. Wax is muktzeh on Shabbat - one may not handle it, and one may not move any receptacle in which it rests.
2. Taking a functional implement and rendering it non-functional, on Shabbat, is prohibited. This is considered an act of destruction, albeit temporary destruction.

Therefore: If a Shabbat candle is dripping wax, one may not place a functional receptacle beneath it to catch the falling wax, since that would render the receptacle off-limits for Shabbat.

(Obviously, this does not deal with a case of preventing a life-threatening fire on Shabbat!)

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 265:3; Mishneh Berurah 265:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

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