Do the flames atop the chanukiya need to be a certain size to be valid? At the extreme, are tiny (but sustained) balls of blue flame sufficient?
asked Dec 22, 2011 at 4:07
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1I would be so surprised if the answerer actually gives a source. This is a good question, but I don't see it being mentioned in any Sefarim. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.– Hacham GabrielDec 22, 2011 at 4:11
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2I bet it's just about how much/what type of pirsumei nissa you are going for. At a window, a little ball is pointless, but on your table it could be fine.– Double AA ♦Dec 22, 2011 at 4:24
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@double aa I would go as far to say that based on what you said this is probably a Miswa Min HaMuvhar but not MeIkar HaDin.– Hacham GabrielDec 22, 2011 at 4:33
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AFAIK, as long as you can see the flames it's ok...– ShmuelDec 22, 2011 at 6:02
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@ShmuelL and as long as you are not putting your house at danger of fire breaking out because of the too big fire.– user1117Dec 26, 2011 at 9:06
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1 Answer
A fire is a fire is a fire - See OH 673(1)
ואע"פ שאין השמנים נמשכים אחר הפתילה ואין האור נתלה יפה באותם הפתילות
Even though the wicks don't absorb the oil well and the light [fire] doesn't attach well to those wicks (--translation mine)
(i.e. even if your lights are poor, your still yotzeh the mitzvah).
That being said, the מצוה מן המבחר is to use materials that will give off a light that is "pure and clean" (Rama, ibid.). The Mishna Berura also something along the lines of what @doubleaa said: The goal here is Persumei Nisa. Hence, if people can't see them, you may have an issue at hand.
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Mbrevda, welcome to Judaism.SE, and thanks very much for this source and insight! I look forward to seeing you around.– Isaac Moses ♦Dec 29, 2011 at 12:57