Here’s an ethical issue and Jewish source response:

Case

It is a mitzvah to light Shabbat and holiday candles.  In other words, it is something a Jewish “supposed” to do.  Sarah is a freshman at a state university.  Her mother gave her candlesticks as part of her “Jewish college” kit.  On many university campuses it is against the dorm rules to have an open flame (like a candle) in a dorm room.

Should Sara light her candles and break the dorm rules or follow the rules and not light candles?

Answer

If your college dorm forbids the lighting of candles in your room, what should you do?

[a] Maimonides makes it clear that it is a mitzvah to light candles on Shabbat and on holidays. (Laws of Shabbat 5:3)

[b] The Talmud makes it clear that Shabbat and other mitzvot can be violated when a life is at stake.  Performing the mitzvot is not supposed to be dangerous.  Pikuah Nefesh is the name of this principle, and it can be learned in chapter 8 of Yoma.  It is based on Leviticus 18:5, where the Torah says, “These are mitzvot – live by them.”  The rabbis underline this passage in the Talmud and add, “Live by them – do not die by them.’

[c] There is another rabbinic principle called Dina d’Malkhuta Dina,that more or less means the law of the land is the law.  This means that you have to follow local laws unless they directly lead to the violation of Jewish laws (Nedarim 28a; Gittin 10b; BK 113a; BB54b and 55a) 

Joel Grishaver, “You Be the Judge 3”, pgs. 14-15

Used with permission from Joel Grishaver