Electricity in Halachah

Random
1

Are electric lights the same as fire for the following Halachot:

a. Melachah on Shabbat and Yom Tov

b. Candlelighting for Shabbat and Yom Tov

c. Chanukah candles

d. Bedikat Chametz

e. Havdalah Candle

f. Minhag of Yahrtzeit Candles

g. Minhag of lighting a fire on Lag Ba’Omer

Thank you for your great work.

2

What do you mean by fire? Each of these as it relates to electricity have very different halachos. I would suggest being more explicit and creating a new post for each of your questions.

3

That is correct. Not all of these questions are dependent on whether it is fire or not. We can ask more accurately.

a. Is it a melachah deoraita to turn on and off electric lights on Shabbat and Yom Tov?

b. Can you fulfill the mitzvah of candlelighting for Shabbat and Yom Tov with electric lights?

c. Can you fulfill the mitzvah of chanukah candles with electric lights?

d. Should you use a flashlight for Bedikat Chametz?

e. Can you use an electric light for a havdalah candle?

f. Can you use electric lights for the minhag of lighting yahrtzeit candles?

g. Can you use electric lights for the minhag of lighting a fire on Lag Ba’Omer?

4
  1. On - potentially. Off - no.
  2. לכתחילה
  3. בשעת הדחק
  4. Yes
  5. No
  6. Not sure
  7. What’s that?
1 Like
5

Thank you.

The Rav didn’t hold of lighting bonfires on Lag Ba’Omer?

6

I don’t know if he was anti, but I know he didn’t do it and quoted the Chasam Sofer YD 233 regarding going to Meron.