עברית
Faith
Is it permissible to extinguish a memorial candle?
Question
I am a teacher at a school. My students need to hold a ceremony for the 10th of Tevet. In the ceremony, six ner neshama candles are lit in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Is it permissible to extinguish the ner neshama candles at the end of the ceremony? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings, Although it is recorded that one should not extinguish a ner neshama (Geshar HaChaim, chapter 32, section 4), it is clear that if there is a concern for fire hazard, it is permitted—and even required—to extinguish them. Best regards, Hillel Meirs
