Q&A: Memorial Candles
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Memorial Candles
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is it permitted to light memorial candles? I’m very concerned that this is a pagan custom.
Or since nowadays many Jews do it, is there no problem with it?
Answer
In my opinion there is no problem at all. Even if you are right about the origin of the custom (I don’t know), we have customs that are more pagan than this. Religious influences travel in winding ways.