Q. Some commercially available ready made olive oil sets for Chanuka, come bottled in small glass containers, that one only has to place on the menorah and light. The oil is in a kind of semi-solid state, like a paste, and therefore conveniently can’t spill. Someone that was always careful to use virgin, unadulterated, pure olive oil, is he permitted to use that oil?
A. Poskim disagree. Shevet Halevy (9: 143) debates and is lenient. So is Teshuva Mehava (O.H. 285) and Daas Torah (670: 1). Kovetz Halochos (Chanuka p.12) calls it a ‘mitzva min hamuvchar’ or the best mitzva.
However, Piskei Shemuos (673: 1 p. 103) quotes HoRav Nissim Karelitz zt’l ruling that it is not considered ‘mitzva min hamuvchar’ since it might not be valid for the oil required to light the menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh and the Chanuka candles should be as similar to them as possible. (See also Tel Talpios 65: 3)
Horav Shlomo Miller’ Shlit’a opinion is that it can be used lechatchila.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a