May one extinguish fire on Yom Tov?

Fire may not be extinguished on Yom Tov. [1] The Shulchan Aruch writes that even if, Hashem yishmor, one’s home is on fire, one may not extinguish the fire on Yom Tov.

One might argue that if one’s home burns down one will not have where to eat Yom Tov meals, which should be reason enough; we will see that indeed it is a valid argument.

It is noteworthy that poskim write [2] that nowadays a fire such as one burning a home or apartment must be extinguished due to gas cylinders and other hazards that pose a serious threat to people’s lives.

On a smaller note, I wish to extinguish a candle to be able to sleep. Is it permitted?

No it is not, because it is not for ochel nefesh (relating to food). Extinguishing is not really an ochel nefesh melacha (a melacha needed for cooking or baking) because after cooking and removing food from the fire, one can let the fire or flames continue to burn. The only reason to extinguish fire after cooking or baking is to conserve energy or save money. These are not valid reasons for Yom Tov.

Does it make a difference if my food is burning?

One might argue that part of cooking is lowering the flame, which if not performed, food would burn. That is true but it does not have to be so. The alternative mentioned in halacha is to ignite a separate fire, a smaller one, and place the pot of food thereon. [3]

In a situation when one has a single gas range and the only way to prevent food from burning is to lower the flame, one may do so on account of ochel nefesh. [4]

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztz”l adds that one may not lower the flame to prevent food from overcooking, being that most people would eat it overcooked. If however the food would acquire an unpleasant taste or smell, one may reduce the fire. [5]

May one reduce the heat of an electric oven?

It will depend on the type of electric oven in question. Because one closes a circuit when doing so, digital buttons and knobs may not be used on Yom Tov. All poskim accept this position and according to the Chazon Ish this is on account of boneh – construction.

Even thermostat dials and knobs that are purely mechanical should not be used on any account without asking a competent rav. Many times one might directly turn off the oven, or one might not be aware that the dial on one’s oven is electrical and not mechanical.

In addition, in some ovens, lowering the temperature directly turns off a heating element, which again involves the issur of soter – breaking a circuit.

May one cause water to overflow and extinguish a fire?

One of the known methods to extinguish a gas flame on Yom Tov is to boil a pot full of water, which would overflow and cause the flames to go out. Besides being dangerous – gas continues to flow from the range and must be turned off immediately, the halachic validity is questionable, for the following reasons:

This heter is known as g’rama – indirect action, which ‘causes’ the flames to extinguish. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach writes that the heter of g’rama is only used when it ‘happens’ - not to be used as a regular course of action. In other words, when a fire chas v’shalom breaks out, the halacha sanctions the use of g’rama to extinguish it, but is not intended to be used when the fire was lit beneficially and purposefully. [6]

Another reason for the prohibition is because the water is not cooked for drinking or bathing, the permitted uses on Yom Tov, but to extinguish a fire, which is not a permitted reason. [7]

What do I do with the match after lighting candles?

The match may not be extinguished, therefore the match should be placed on the tray and it extinguishes itself. [8]

Some have a lichter to light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles, a silver candleholder with a thin candle inside. One may not extinguish this candle either, even though this may cause the candle wax to solidify and ruin the lichter.

May one remove oil from the oil holder?

Not while the wick is burning. The Rishonim say that removing oil from a burning candle immediately causes the flame to diminish to a small extent, which is kibui – extinguishing.

Is there any way to cause a candle to extinguish sooner?

The Rama says that one may light extra wicks in the oil holder, which will quickly consume the oil. [9] However, the Mishna Berura writes [10] that it is a machlokes and must be avoided, unless one needs the extra light, in which case it is permitted.

Bottom line is that extinguishing is almost always forbidden. In extenuating circumstances such as loss of property etc. a rav must be asked.