Deep within the roots of Jewish religion is Havdalah, an enchanting ceremony which serves as a bridge between the sacred serenity of Shabbat and the bustling onset of a new week. Steeped in symbolism, this ritual engages our senses and weaves a tapestry of timeless connections, linking us to the practices of our ancestors.
Through the lighting of the Havdalah candle, the recitation of blessings, and the draw of the service’s conclusion, we mark the distinction of the holy and the everyday, in a rhythm as ancient as our tradition itself.
Table of Contents
- Making Havdalah: A Gateway from Shabbat to the New Week
- The Time for Havdalah
- The Havdalah Blessings
- Havdalah Ceremony – Video
- The Havdalah Candle
- Besamim: The Havdalah Spices
- The Role of Sensory Experiences in Havdalah
Making Havdalah: A Gateway from Shabbat to the New Week
Shabbat, the seventh day of the Jewish week, is a day of rest and celebration, during which work is forbidden. It’s a sacred time, cherished as a gift from Adonai, concluding with Havdalah. This ceremony beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Shabbat, concluding the sacred day and welcoming the days of work ahead.
By marking the separation between the sacred and the profane, Havdalah transitions us from the peaceful serenity of Shabbat to the bustling six days of work that lie ahead. It’s more than just a ceremony marking the end of Shabbat; it’s a symbolic gateway to the new week, reminding us to carry the tranquillity of Shabbat into our everyday lives.
The Time for Havdalah
Havdalah is typically observed 45 minutes to one hour after sundown, an hour after Shabbat officially ends. While this provides a good estimate, observing the night sky offers a more precise timing. The end of Shabbat is when there’s no red in the western sky, and three small stars are visible.
This timing is not arbitrary but steeped in spiritual significance, reflecting the conclusion of the sacred day and the start of the new week. In North America for example, it’s roughly 70 minutes after Friday’s Shabbat candle lighting time.
The Havdalah Blessings
When it comes to understanding how to do Havdalah, there are several components involved: a cup of wine or grape juice (the Kiddush cup), a spice box filled with besamim, aromatic cloves, and of course, the Havdalah candle.
The Havdalah blessings, or “Brachot Havdalah” in Hebrew, form the spiritual backbone of this ceremony. They are the words that encapsulate the meaning and purpose of Havdalah, distinguishing between the sacred Shabbat and the six working days.
Blessing Over Wine
Each blessing is recited over specific elements. The first one, pronounced over the cup of wine, thanks Adonai for the “fruit of the vine”. So, to begin, we fill the Kiddush cup with wine, symbolizing joy and blessing, and recite the blessing over the wine,
“Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen”
(Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine).
This act of raising the cup, or “kos”, and reciting the blessing is customary and brings joy and honor (‘orah ve-simcha’) to the ceremony, while the act of drinking the wine signifies our intention to take the peace and tranquillity of Shabbat into the coming week.
Blessing Over The Spices
The second blessing, recited over the spices, fills our senses with the fragrance of the upcoming week. It brings comfort and reinforces our extra soul, or the ‘neshama yetera’, as we transition from Shabbat to the six days of work.
As we smell the spices, we recite,
“Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei minei besamim”
(Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, who creates varieties of spices).
The sweet smell of the spices is meant to comfort our souls as we say goodbye to Shabbat.
Blessing Over The Fire
The third blessing, pronounced over the braided Havdalah candle, appreciates the Creator for the light of fire. This two-wick candle, known as the ‘ner’, serves to remind us of the divine light and the division between light and dark.
Holding the candle aloft, we recite the blessing,
“Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei m’orei ha’esh”
(Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fire’s light).
Looking at our fingernails in the light of the candle, we reflect on the distinction between light and darkness, work and rest, Shabbat and the weekdays.
We use all five senses to experience this blessing fully. We see the light, feel the warmth, smell the burning wick, hear the sound of the flame, and with extinguishing the candle in the wine, we also taste a part of it.
The Final Blessing
The final blessing is the Havdalah blessing itself, which marks the separation between the sacred and the mundane. This blessing reminds us of the distinct roles of the six days of work and the day of rest.
“Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam, hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol, bein or l’choshekh, bein Yisrael la’amim, bein yom ha’shvi’i l’sheishet y’mei hama’aseh”.
(Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the Universe, Who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular, between light and dark, between Israel and other nations, between the seventh day and the six days of work).
We then drink the wine, extinguish the candle in the remaining wine, and sing a joyous song to welcome the new week.
Havdalah Ceremony – Video
I absolutely adore this Havdalah ceremony video, beautifully performed by Rabbi Katie Bauman.
The Havdalah Candle
The special Havdalah candle, more than just a source of light, is a special emblem of unity and continuity. This unique candle, typically braided with multiple wicks, embodies the collective strength and harmony of the Jewish community.
We ignite this candle at the start of the Havdalah service, marking the beginning of the ceremony and illuminating the room with a soft, warm glow. As we hold the candle aloft, its light shines upon our faces, reflecting the hope and anticipation we carry into the new week. The Hebrew word for this light, ‘orah’, also symbolizes wisdom and knowledge – a fitting metaphor for the guidance we seek in the days to come.
While we hold the candle, we recite a blessing that praises God, the ‘Melech ha-olam’, for creating the light of fire. This act not only expresses our gratitude but also reminds us of the divine presence in our lives.
As the ceremony draws to a close and the candle is extinguished, we reach the end of Shabbat. Yet, the memory of its light continues to glow within us, guiding us as we navigate the days of the week.
Besamim: The Havdalah Spices
The besamim, or Havdalah spices, often found in a decorative box, lend a soothing aroma to the ceremony. They do more than just delight our senses, as they have comforting role. Their fragrance whispers of the “extra soul” that we enjoy every Shabbat and bids us farewell as the day concludes.
When making the ritual, we pause to inhale the scent of the besamim after blessing the wine and before blessing the candle. We recite, “Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei minei besamim” – an appreciation for the variety of spices God has created.
The Role of Sensory Experiences in Havdalah
The Havdalah ceremony is an enriching sensory experience that signifies the transition from the sanctity of rest to the start of our workweek. It engages us not just through hearing, but through sight, smell, taste, and touch as well. This multi-sensory involvement allows us to connect with the ceremony and its symbolic significance on a profound level.
Listen
Think about it, we begin with the sound. As we hear the blessings, our ears are attuned to the familiar cadence, evoking a sense of comfort and continuity. The very act of hearing these blessings, recited generation after generation, connects us to our rich Jewish heritage.
See
Then, we move to the sense of sight. As the Havdalah candle is held high and glowing, it offers us a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. The flickering flame symbolizes our collective spirit, casting a warm and reassuring glow that illuminates the conclusion of Shabbat.
Smell
Next, our olfactory senses come alive. The aroma of the spices, or besamim, fills the room, a sweet-smelling cloud of comfort and peace. This fragrance is a reminder of the “extra soul” of Shabbat, giving us a gentle and subtle transition.
Taste
And what about taste? We savour the sweet wine, a symbol of joy and celebration in Judaism. As we sip from the Havdalah cup, we are reminded of the blessings of life and the cycle of the week.
Touch
Lastly, our sense of touch is involved as we handle the Havdalah candle, its braids smooth beneath our fingertips. This tangible interaction with the Havdalah candle serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our community.
Havdalah, with its rich symbolism and deep spiritual significance, encapsulates the essence of Judaism. Through the blessings, the wine, the spices, and the candle, it gracefully marks the conclusion of Shabbat and beckons a new week.
Whether you’re about to make Havdalah for the first time or have been doing it for years, let’s embrace the beauty of this tradition and the profound connection it offers to our rich heritage.
- Shabbat Shalom! The Ultimate Guide To The Jewish Sabbath Holiday
- What Is Shabbat And Shabbat Shalom? All You Need To Know About The Jewish Sabbath
- Havdalah Ceremony: From Shabbat To The New Week
- How to Do Havdalah – Perform The Beautiful Shabbat Ending Ritual
- The Beautiful Havdalah Blessings To End Shabbat In Judaism
- How To Use The Besamim Spices In Havdalah
