Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Orach Chaim/275

1 One does not search meaning: to remove the lice from the clothing. The Targum of "I have put away the hallowed things" is "paliti" and one does not read in a book by the light of the lamp, and even if he is not reading with his mouth, lest he will tilt; and even it is ten stories high, where he cannot reach it, as the sages did not differentiate in the matter. And for this reason, there is room to prohibit even if it is enclosed in crystal, or set in an opening that's in the wall. And this applies to a candle of wax as well.

2 And specifically, an individual. But two read together because if one attempts to tilt [meaning: to tilt the lamp in order that the oil should reach the wick], his friend will remind him. And that is when they are reading the same subject matter; for then, the one will pay attention to what his friend will do. But regarding two subject matters – not. Gloss: And there are those who say that regarding two books, even in one subject, it is forbidden. [Beis Yosef]. And therefore, it is forbidden to say piyutim in the synagogue at nights of Yom Tov that falls on Shabbat, and this is our custom. [Mordechai; and Book of the Heave-Offering; and Sma"g; and Notes].

3 If there is someone else with him, even if he is not reading, and he says to him: "give me your attention so that I will not tilt", it is permitted. And this is also the law if one says so to his wife.

4 An important person, who does not have the habit of tilting on weekdays, is permitted in every instance.

5 Even ten people do not read together by a bonfire, because since they are sitting far from each other, and furthermore, that the stubs of the firebrands are close to them, one does not notice when his friend attempts to kindle and to rake.

6 Schoolchildren read by the light of the lamp because the dread of their teacher is upon them.

7 It is permitted to read 'Bameh Madlikin' by the light of the lamp, because he's mentioning the prohibition of Shabbat and how will he forget?

8 It is customary to read from the machzorim on the night of Yom Kippur because the dread of Yom Kippur is upon them.

9 The night of Passover that falls on Shabbat – it is permitted to read the Haggadah from a book because it is similar to heads of chapters, for there is no unlearned person that it is not somewhat accustomed in his mouth.
​10 The teacher could see by the light of the lamp from where the children should read and to prepare the beginnings of the passages with his mouth in a book, and he reads the entire remainder of the passage by heart. And not only "the beginning of the passages"; but whenever one knows the passage by heart, and for part he needs to look in a book, it is permitted; for since he is not looking in the book constantly, he has a reminder, he will not come to tilt.

11 Articles that are similar to each other and scrutiny is needed to differentiate between them – it is forbidden to check them by the light of the lamp. And even to differentiate between one's clothes and the clothes of his wife – if they are similar – it is forbidden to check.

12 A butler who is not employed on a regular basis is forbidden to check glasses and plates by the light of the lamp, because he does not recognize them; whether by a lamp of olive oil or by a lamp of crude oil‏ [meaning: a type of white pitch and its odor is foul] thats light is great. Gloss: And there are those that permit regarding crude oil even for a butler who's not employed on a regular basis [Tur; and Beis Yosef in the name of the poskim]. But a butler employed on a regular basis is permitted to check glasses by the light of the lamp because he does not need a lot of scrutiny. And if it was a lamp of olive oil, he is not instructed to check, and even though it is permitted – an enactment lest he will take from it. Gloss: It is the custom to cover the children that they should not be naked in front of the lights, because of denigration of the mitzvah, and so wrote the Rokeach.