Generally it seems to be perferable (mehudar) to use an oil based candle for mitzvot. Why doesn't anyone use an oil based candle for havdalah?
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2Why is oil more mehudar for candle based mitzvot aside from Channukah?– Double AA ♦Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 17:39
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@DoubleAA see question #3 and notes thereon torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5764/chukas.html– user1668Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 17:40
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2Cos its much easier to send a candle then a bottle of oil!!! meta.judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/1374/…– YehudaCommented Oct 18, 2012 at 17:42
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1@PM So isn't that your answer?– Double AA ♦Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 17:44
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What's "an oil based candle"? My havdala candles are paraffin-based: would you consider that "oil based"?– msh210 ♦Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 17:53
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1 Answer
Mishna Berura 298:5 and Beer Hataiv 298:2 mention in the name of the Sefer HaKavonos and the Magen Avraham in the name of the Kavanos HaArizal that it is preferable to use a beeswax candle for Havdala.
As you can see in the Halacha the candle is supposed to be an Avuka - which is more than one wick. This also makes it more practical to use a candle over oil.
answered Oct 18, 2012 at 18:13
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It does not say the reason. So I would venture to say that it is "Al Pi Kabala". Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 18:17
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I don't see any mention of beeswax specifically in those sources.– Double AA ♦Commented Oct 9, 2013 at 15:25
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