Responsa for Shabbat 2:2
אֵין מַדְלִיקִין בְּשֶׁמֶן שְׂרֵפָה בְּיוֹם טוֹב. רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר, אֵין מַדְלִיקִין בְּעִטְרָן, מִפְּנֵי כְבוֹד הַשַּׁבָּת. וַחֲכָמִים מַתִּירִין בְּכָל הַשְּׁמָנִים, בְּשֶׁמֶן שֻׁמְשְׁמִין, בְּשֶׁמֶן אֱגוֹזִים, בְּשֶׁמֶן צְנוֹנוֹת, בְּשֶׁמֶן דָּגִים, בְּשֶׁמֶן פַּקּוּעוֹת, בְּעִטְרָן וּבְנֵפְט. רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר, אֵין מַדְלִיקִין אֶלָּא בְשֶׁמֶן זַיִת בִּלְבָד:
We may not kindle with oil for burning on a festival. [The reason is being given for what was taught in the preceding Mishnah, viz.: Why is it that "We do not light with oil for burning?" Because we may not kindle with oil for burning on a festival (consecrated foods not being burned on a festival.)] R. Yishmael says: We may not kindle with resin [the residue of tar] because of the honor of the Sabbath. [Its odor is especially foul; however, because it is soft, it is "pulled" after the wick more than tar. Therefore, if not for the honor of the Sabbath, it would be used for kindling.] And the sags permit it with all oils: with sesame oil [Sesame is a thin sweet seed found abundantly in Eretz Yisrael.], with nut oil, with radish oil, with fish oil, with paku'oth [wild cucumber] oil, with resin, and with naphtha [a kind of tar. It is white and has a foul odor.] R. Tarfon says: Only olive oil may be used for kindling. [The halachah is in accordance with the sages, that all oils may be used for kindling except those enumerated above (2:1) and except balsamum oil and white naphtha, for both of these "fly and burn," and we fear that he might leave (the lamp) and go out. And there is yet another reason to forbid it with balsamum oil — a decree, lest he take some of it because of its superior quality. And it is ruled: If one puts oil into a lamp (on the Sabbath), he is liable by reason of "kindling"; and if he takes some of it, he is liable by reason of "extinguishing."]
Explore responsa for Shabbat 2:2. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.