Q. On question 684- 685 in regards to creating a variety of colors in the lights of the menorah by adding different chemicals to the oil, or adding aromatic drops to the oil, since the effect is quite attractive and striking, and it may be even a greater persumei nissa, you wrote that; Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that although the lighting would be acceptable if the flame coloring additives mentioned were to be added, and only according to some Poskim even the aromatic oil is permitted bedieved, it is preferable to use the most pure olive oil available, as the olive oil should resemble as much as possible the one used in the Bais Hamikdosh. My question is can you use lechatchila the above oils for the shamesh?
A. Although from Shulchan Aruch (673: 1) it would seem obvious that there is no kedusha or restrictions in regards to the shamash additional light, some Poskim do ascribe special attributes to the shamash. However, Biur Halacha (ibid. D.H. Sheym) quotes Magen Avraham as explained by Pri Megadim that maintains that one should abstain from using lechatchila the shamash, (an additional room light should be added), Biur Halacha disagrees.
The above finds an echo in Kav Hayoshor (96) who explains the placing of the shamash light higher than the rest, as a reflection of the posuk; "Serofim Omdim Memaal Lo" or the fire-angels are standing over. He also compares it to the Cohen lighting the menora in the Bais Hamikdosh or the angels lighting the holy lights at the Kisseh Hakavod. Maharil maintains that the kedusha of the shamash is higher than the thirty six lights of the menorah and whoever honors the shamash will merit to see the lights of the Bais Hamikdosh soon. (See Nitey Gavriel 20 n. 4).
Horav Shlomo Miller' Shlit'a opinion is that no restrictions apply to the shamash and therefore colored or aromatic light may be used.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
