Relighting Extinguished Candles
Last night, the first night of Chanukah, my Chanukah candle decided to go out pretty quickly, for no obvious reason. I relit it, but should I have recited the blessings again?
The Aish Rabbi Replies
In truth, according to the letter of the law, you didn’t have to relight the candle at all. Once you light the candle initially – and the wick, oil and environment were all suited for it to last 30 minutes after nightfall – you have fulfilled your obligation. It’s preferred to relight the candle anyway to publicize the miracle further, but a new blessing is not necessary.
On Friday evening when we light early (before lighting the Shabbat candles), there are opinions that if a candle went out (when it is not yet Shabbat for you) you are obligated to relight it – since the initial lighting was before the time of the obligation. Even in such a case we do not recite the blessings again (since it’s a matter of debate), but you should be even more careful to relight any extinguished candles. (Sources: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 673:2, Mishna Berurah 26-27.)
