Advanced Search

Re-using the Shamash


Question:

When lighting the chanukiah, do you use the same shamash each of the 8 nights or do you let each night's shamash melt as well and use another the next night? Thanks.



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

Interesting question. The shamash may be re-used each night, if desired, since it's purpose is only to serve the other lights (shamash=servant). However, the shamash should also burn each night for at least a half-hour after dark, so it may not be practical to re-use it.

There are two uses of the shamash. One is to light the other candles, and the second use is to provide light so that we are not "making use" of the light of the Chanukah candles - which are to look at but not to use - but are using the light from the shamash as well. Of course, the Chanukah candle light is also there, but since the shamash is providing light it is considered as if we are using its light and not that of the Chanukah candles.

So, according to the first reason, the shamash could actually be put out after lighting and re-used. However, due to the second reason it should burn at least a half-hour after nightfall - along with the Chanukah candles - and then can either be extinguished or let burn out.

I hope this has been clear and helpful and Happy Chanuka!


Similar Questions
Holidays > Chanukah
Celebration of Education
Chanukah Today
Why Eat Sufganiyot (Donuts) with Jelly Filling?
Festivals on Shabbat
Menorah in the Temple
The Color of Candles
Menorah Disposal
How to Light Chanukah Candles
Dorm Chanukah Lighting
Chanukah and the Menorah: Why and When and How?
Chanukah and Elephants
Chanukah and Education
Electric Chanukia
Chanukah Gelt
A Rabbinic Mitzva
Lighting When Traveling Overseas
The Word Chanukia
Chanukah
Chanukah Presents and Money
Chanukah Foods
Why Do We Play Dreidel on Chanukah?
8 Reasons for 8 Days
A Great Miracle
Chanukah and Physical Strength
Apocrypha
Playing Dreidel
What if the Greeks had Won?
Menorah Wicks in the Temple
We Will Survive
A Chanukah Primer
Setting Up the Chanukah Menorah
Did Chanukah Miracle Really Happen?
The Laws and Customs of Chanukah
Menorah Shape
An Eternal Flame
Chanukah: Increasing the Light
All or Nothing?
A Chanukah Primer for 2017
Have a question?
 
Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team