Lighting a Candle on a Holiday for the Deceased
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Question
If someone's father passed away on the holiday of Shavuot, should they light a candle in his memory during the holiday?
Answer
It should be lit by a non-Jew, not by oneself.
Source
Mishna Berura, Siman 548, S"K 3: "Nevertheless, the candle that is customarily lit for all seven days should be lit immediately, and this is not dependent on whether the holiday cancels mourning or does not begin until after the holiday, only do not light it where they eat, and certainly not in the room where he died, lest they come to eulogize him, but light it where they do not eat. However, since there is no benefit from this light at all, do not light it yourself on Yom Tov, but through a non-Jew."
Regarding the yahrzeit candle, Biur Halacha, Siman 514: "And know also that if the yahrzeit candle was not lit on the eve of Yom Tov, it should be lit at least in the room where they eat, as it adds light to the room, and it is better to light it in the synagogue to avoid the concern of a superfluous candle, and in a pressing situation, it may be permissible to light in any manner, as it is similar to a mitzvah candle which is in honor of his ancestors, as explained in Teshuvot Ktav Sofer." In Shaarei Tzion, Siman 548, S"K 3, it is written that the same applies to the seven-day candle, but the advice to light in a place where they eat is not possible due to the concern that they will eulogize him. In the place of study, it is not relevant in our days, as the candle is not needed.
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