My wife is extremely concerned about the safety of leaving a yahrzeit candle burning for 24 hours. She was very uncomfortable leaving it burning all night and insisted we blow it out and relight it when we were not in the house. Any insight? My sense is that since it is contained in a glass and as long as it left in a safe place it should not be a problem. I have also never heard of one causing a fire but that is only anecdotal.
Answer
Thanks for writing and it is encouraging to know that there are Jews who
take tradition seriously and at the same time are also concerned about
common sense and safety.
Fire in the home is not a minor concern and every year there are tragedies
with Hanukka because the candles are left untended and they are not contained.
My own advice - although you should always check with your Rabbi - is that
if the yahrzeit light is enclosed in a fireproof container, place it also
on a metal tray or a deep basin filled with water. Thus, if for any reason
the container of the flame might break and release the flame, it would
endanger your own home or apartment or that of others.
Generally speaking I cannot ever recall a yahrzeit light in a glass causing
a fire, but by taking precautions to place it on a surface that will not
burn it would be doubly safe.
Best wishes for a New Year of health and a world free from any anxiety.
Best Wishes,
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