Last week, YWN-Israel reported that chareidi volunteer firemen in Israel were making an unprecedented effort to have Gedolei HaDor Shlita sign a kol korei banning lighting Shabbos and Yomtov candles in one�s sukka. They felt this was their responsibility in light of fires over recent years that have had devastating consequences.

A letter was released by Israel�s chief rabbis, Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita and Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita, stating it is absolutely forbidden for one to light candles in a sukka due to the hazards associated with burning candles in a sukka environment.

It is reported that when the letter was shown to Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, he quoted a passage from his sefer Chazon Ovadia (Sukkos, 207:a) stating �if there is an fear whatsoever, one should light candles in one�s home�. The Rav�s quote was also included in the letter from the chief rabbis.

Yonatan Yosef, a son of HaGaon Rav Yaakov Yosef, who seems to have launched the initiative, expresses his hope that the tzibur will heed the words of the rabbonim towards avoiding tragedies R�L this year.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)