Dr. Robert E. Braitman wrote:

In Ask the Rabbi Issue #106, Brian Connack wrote:

"I was at a birthday party recently and the hostess insisted that the birthday boy not blow out the candles, rather she put them out by hand. Is there any basis to this custom (not to blow out a candle)?

Perhaps the most common reason is that parents don't want their children spreading infection by blowing on the cake. More often than not there is more saliva than air expended in the act of blowing out a candle!

ROBERT E. BRAITMAN, M.D.

President, NE Region, Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs