QUESTION

Brooklyn, NY

Backyard campfire on Yom Tov. If for the sake of warmth (and using pre-existing flame, etc.), this is fine, right?

Let’s say it’s not that cold out, but the fire is for ambiance/feels nice to be near the warmth. Still ok?

ANSWER

Yes. We have a very low threshold for what justification is necessary when it comes to making (i.e., transferring) a fire on Yom Tov. The Yerushalmi (Beitzah 5:2) speaks about a נר של אבטלה, and many people will light cigarettes, and we light a yahrtzeit candle even though it is just a minhag. So, yes. It is fine.