עברית
Holidays
Can one light Chanukah candles with the shamash?
Question
Can one light the Chanukah candles from the shamash, meaning to light the shamash, recite the blessing, and then use it to light the other candles, or is it necessary to use a different candle to light both the other candles and the shamash? Thank you
Answer
Greetings,
According to the custom of Ashkenazim, it is possible and appropriate to first light the shamash, recite the blessing, and then use the shamash to light the other candles (see Rema, Orach Chaim 671:1).
However, the custom of Sephardim is to light the candles with a different candle (Ohr Letzion, Part 4, p. 263). Additionally, according to their custom, the shamash should only be lit after completing the lighting of the other candles (Chazon Ovadia, Chanukah, p. 101, and Torat HaMo'adim, Chanukah, 6:52).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
