Laws of Chanuka

Question:

Do I need a “Shamash” if there is an electric light on in the room?

Discussion:

There are two reasons given as to why we add a “Shamash”. One reason is since one is not permitted to use the light of the candles there needs to be another light in the room. The other reason is that since we light inside we are concerned that one might inadvertently use the light of the candles even if he has another light, therefore we add a light next to the candles (M.B. 673:14).

With the advent of electric lighting, both these concerns seem to fall away. One will not use the light of a candle when there are regular lights on in the room. It is therefore logical to assume that one need not light a “Shamash” (sefer Milsa D’shchecha). Rav S.Z. Aurebach zt”l is quoted (Halichos Shlomo) as saying that if there is an electric light on in the room a “Shamash” is not needed. However, he added that one should light a “Shamash” anyway in case the light goes out.

The accepted custom is to light a “Shamash” even though it may not be necessary. This is based on the opinion of the Mi’ere brought down in the biur halacha. Rabbi Eider, in his sefer on Chanukah, paskens this way as well. The sefer Kav Hayashar (96) says that there are kabalistic reasons to light the “Shamash” even if according to Halacha it is not necessary.

Summary:

According to the letter of the law there is no requirement to light a “Shamash” if there is an electric light on in the room. However, the accepted custom is to light the “Shamash” anyway.

As an aside; Rav Aurebach zt”l was makpid to light the Shabbos candles and then turn on the electric lights, because if the lights were on already, you don’t really need the candles, so how can you make a bracha on them. We will deal with this issue in a future email after Chanukah!