Extinguishing a flame is forbidden on Shabbat and constitutes the av melachah of mechabeh.1 Since the 39 general categories of forbidden labor on Shabbat are modeled after their sources in the Mishkan, it follows that the Biblical prohibition of mechabeh is limited to extinguishing a flame to serve a useful purpose, as mechabeh was done in the Mishkan. For example, some have the custom to light the wicks of the Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon so that they will be easier to light at candle-lighting time. This would be an example of extinguishing for a useful purpose. Practically, there are few examples of this in everyday life, and most applications of mechabeh are thus rabbinic prohibitions based on the ruling of the Sages, who extended the melachah to include all extinguishing, even when not done for a useful purpose.2

Mechabeh With Electricity

Most Rabbinic authorities say that causing a filament to glow by turning on an electric appliance is an act of mav'ir (kindling), and turning the appliance off is an act of mechabeh.3 Incandescent bulbs and toaster ovens are classic examples of this. Turning on or off other electric

appliances is also forbidden on Shabbat, but mechabeh is not a factor because no light or fire is extinguished.

Dangerous Fires

Whenever there is a concern that a person’s life is in danger, any and all Shabbat restrictions are lifted. One should not overthink the issue; instead, do everything to save a life.4 This, of course, applies to the melachah of mechabeh as well. If a fire breaks out in your home or apartment, you may use a fire extinguisher and/or call the fire department.

The leniences that apply to saving a person’s life do not apply to one’s possessions. In fact, the Sages recognized that out of desperation to save one’s belongings from a fire one might actually go ahead and put out the fire. Therefore, they enacted strict rules to forbid the owner from removing most things from a burning structure, aside from very basic necessities like food and drink for Shabbat. Other people are permitted to step in and save the unfortunate person’s possessions for him, as they are less likely to put out the fire themselves.5

Mechabeh in the Mishkan

Firewood was burned to heat the vats used to make dyes for the drapes in the Mishkan. In the olden days, cooking wasn’t usually done over an open flame because, unlike modern-day stoves, a live flame is very unstable. Instead, they used the heat of glowing embers that remained after the fire was extinguished. This act of extinguishing is the source for the melachah of mechabeh.6

Common activities to avoid:

  • One should be careful when opening doors or windows near the Shabbat candles so that the rush of wind doesn’t blow them.7
  • Lowering or turning off the flame on a stove.
  • It is advisable to cover light switches that children can reach or that people might accidentally turn off.