Sunday, November 30, 2008

Another reason for additional light

Hi,

Yesterday we said that one should kindle an extra light with the Menorah, in order to demonstrate that the Menorah is not simply a candelabra providing illumination for the room.

Further, we are not permitted to use the light of the Menorah for personal purposes; the Menorah is dedicated for the ceremonial mitzvah. Therefore, we light an additional lamp (the shamash) to provide the actual light.

One need not light a shamash on the Menorah itself; leaving a light on in the room itself suffices.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

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