yahrzeit candles

Answer

Answered by Rabbi Abadi

No! using fire is prohibitted on Shabbat, yet permitted on Yom Tov, specifically for food use. Once it has been permitted for food use, it was also permitted for any use that is of some significance. This excludes what the Shulchan Aruch terms, "Ner Shel Batalah," which is an unnecessary light. A Yahrtzeit candle and even the common Shabbat candles are clearly under this category and are therefore prohibitted Mide'Oraita, (from the Torah). It's hard for many of us to accept this, but it is so clear in the Shulchan Aruch. Instead of a Mitzvah for lighting candles, we get an Aveirah for fire on Yom Tov and an extra one for Beracha LeVatalah on the Yom Tov candles. Your nephew... Aaroni Abadi