עברית
Faith
Is there a prohibition against extinguishing candles with one's mouth?
Question
With G-d's help,
Hello and blessings,
We have heard several times about extinguishing candles with the mouth.
Is there a prohibition in this? If so, why?
If not, why do people refrain from extinguishing with the mouth?
This is common on children's birthdays. Should we insist on this?
Or should we just let it happen? Sometimes we go to grandparents who prepare a cake with candles, and we don't want to stir controversy, nor is it pleasant since they made an effort to bake a cake. They are accustomed to the candles.
I also grew up with this, but today I refrain from it for myself. How should I deal with family regarding this?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
1. This matter of being careful not to extinguish a candle with one's mouth, and that there is danger for anyone who does so, heaven forbid, originates from the words of the Chuppat Eliyahu Rabba (Gate 3), and it has been brought down in halacha by the Ben Ish Chai (Year 2, Parashat Pinchas, Section 18) and by Kaf HaChaim Yoreh De'ah (Siman 116, Section 220).
2. It seems that the reason for the danger is not clearly stated. There are those who wrote that the reason might be because a candle is the "lamp of G-d" (Proverbs 20:27), and when one extinguishes the candle with their mouth, it is akin to removing the soul before its time (Rabbi Meir Mazuz Shlit"a in comments and notes on Ben Ish Chai, Part 3, at the end of the book, page 248).
3. Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonenfeld zt"l wrote in the responsa Shalmat Chaim (Part Yoreh De'ah, Siman 8) that it is certainly appropriate to be careful in this matter, however, for one who is unaware of the danger, the verse "Hashem protects the simple" will safeguard him. Yet, for someone who knows, it is appropriate to warn them.
Based on this, if it concerns people who appear that they won't be able to be careful, it is not proper to inform them of the issue, so that they may have protection through "Hashem protects the simple," and they won't come to danger, heaven forbid.
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
