From what I understand the custom to celebrate a birthday with a cake adorned with candles that makes a wish on and blows out stems from a Greek ritual. As such I would like to know if any halachic authorities have discussed whether or not this should still be considered a heathen custom and therefore prohibited.
asked Oct 28, 2015 at 23:53
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See also judaism.stackexchange.com/q/7470– msh210 ♦Oct 28, 2015 at 23:56
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2I believe there is a custom (possibly from kabbalah) not to blow a flame out with your breath.– EpicentreOct 29, 2015 at 7:30
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@epicentre, one could use their breath but they can't blow out since that sound is the name of a malach,meaning if one sneezed or said shhhh to blow it out their shouldn't be an issue (saw it in a Shu"t)– samOct 30, 2015 at 1:34
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1@Epicentre I've only ever heard that with regard to the havdalah candle. Sounds like a rather burdensome custom otherwise...– LoewianOct 30, 2015 at 2:20
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1rchaimqoton.blogspot.co.il/2007/04/happy-birthday.html– Reb Chaim HaQotonOct 30, 2015 at 11:38
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1 Answer
Halachically Speaking - page 11 quoting Miyum Hahalacha 4:46 says one should not put candles on the birthday cake.
The practice of putting candles on a birthday cake corresponding to the celebrant’s age does not stem from a Jewish custom and should not be done
Rabbi Eli Mansour quoting Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz says it should not be done.
It should also be mentioned that Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, in one of his Pesach digests, documents that the entire concept of "birthday candles" has its origins in ancient pagan customs, and therefore it should be avoided altogether
answered Nov 12, 2015 at 19:14
