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Yeshivat Nahar Shalom

6 Shilo Street (corner of Agrippas Street)

Jerusalem, Israel

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Essays

Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Halacha, Shulchan Aruch, O.C. Siman 264: 1-3

By Yeshivat Nahar Shalom Staff•September 15, 2026
MATERIALS FOR SABBATH WICKSIf one wound a permitted lighting material around a forbidden lighting materialone does not light with tar, because its smell is foul and he might leave it and walk out.balsam oil

We are in Siman 264.

1..Wicks for the Sabbath lamp are not to be made—whether for the lamp on the table or for the lamp lit in the house. That is to say, one does not make a wick from material in which the flame does not catch smoothly, but rather singes around it and the flame flickers, such as wool, hair, and the like. Why? So that one does not come to tilt [the lamp].

Therefore, one does not make a wick from these [materials]. Rather, [it must be made] from material to which the flame clings, such as processed flax, a linen garment, cotton, hemp, and the like.

If one lights with forbidden materials, it is forbidden to use its light. And some say that if there is one lamp [made] from permitted materials, it is permitted to use the light of the others. Likewise, an activity that can be done without a lamp may be done even near the other lamps. For the purpose of the Sabbath, one may be lenient post-facto (bedi'avad).

2. If one wound a permitted lighting material around a forbidden lighting material—if his intention was to thicken the wick to increase light, it is forbidden. Why? Lest he light with an invalid lamp. But if his intention was to stiffen the wick so that it stands upright and does not droop down, it is permitted. The main element is the valid wick. For this reason, it is permitted to wind a permitted lighting material over reed or straw in order to place the wick in a glass container (ashashit). You want it to stand upright, you understand? One may place a grain of salt and a bean on top of a lamp on Friday evening so that it burns nicely. See that? It's a segulah (remedy/auspicious practice).

3. One does not light a Sabbath lamp except with oil that is drawn naturally after the wick. Therefore, one does not light with pitch, nor with liquid wax, nor with cotton oil, nor with tail fat, nor with tallow (chelev). Likewise, one does not light with tar, because its smell is foul and he might leave it and walk out. Nor with balsam oil—which has a very pleasant scent—lest he derive use directly from the oil [for its fragrance], thereby making himself liable for extinguishing [a fire].

Up to here; we have already learned this, Monday [and] the Festival days.