Q. How do we make havdala (in hospital or prison) if we have no flame or a flame is forbidden?

A. Some Poskim maintain that one should not recite the Bore Meorei Hoesh brocho over electric light since there is no flame visible. They therefore advise to always turn off the existing electrical lights while reciting this brocho during havdolo (Hilchos Shabbos B’shabbos p. 242).

Yabia Omer (O.H. 1: 17 and 18) and others opine that since electric light bulbs have glass covering the light, one should refrain blessing over it.

Many Poskim permit if the glass of the electric bulb is not glazed, as they consider the hot light filament a proper fire (Ohr Chadash p. 9 – Machaze Avrohom O.H. 41- Maym Chaim 105 – Sheorim Metzuyonim 2:96 et.al.) Several relate that Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky Zt”l would intentionally use electric light for Havdolo, to openly express that it is a proper fire and therefore turning it on or off, is prohibited on Shabbos.

Almost all Poskim agree that when candles are available they take precedence over electric light since they most resemble the original light created by Adam. They also permit the traditions of extinguishing the flame by pouring wine over it and sniffing the smoke. (Kochvei Yitzchok 11). Moreover, a candle flame also includes different shades and colors and therefore meets the description provided by the brocho. “Meorey”, or lights is plural since “there are various shades and colors in fire”, (Brochos 52b – Toldos Shmuel 3: 4: 7)

Piskey Teshuvos (298: 2) after quoting sources that rule one should not bless over fluorescent light, excludes a flashlight too, even with a clear light bulb, since batteries provide low amperage and you cannot consider the resulting glowing filament a true fire (from Beer Moshe 6: on kuntres 66). However, Yesodei Yeshurun (8: p. 494) only “recommends when possible”, avoiding a flashlight

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that only in real need we can use a clear transparent electric bulb connected to the electric grid, (Since the glowing filament is considered only Toldois Eish or a derivative of fire). He forbids using fluorescent, cfl or led light bulbs and in case of great need he permits the use of a flashlight.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a.