Havdalah (meaning "separation" in Hebrew) is a Jewish ceremony marking the end of the Shabbat (the Sabbath) and separating it from the beginning of the workweek.  It is a brief but meaningful ritual, traditionally performed after nightfall on Saturday evening, once three stars are visible in the night sky.  Havdalah is also observed at the conclusion of Jewish holidays.  

Key Components of Havdalah

1.  Blessing Over Ritual Items:

• Wine (or Grape Juice):  A cup of wine symbolizes joy and is used in the blessing that thanks HaShem for providing the Sabbath. 
• Spices (Besamim): A container of aromatic spices, such as cloves or cinnamon, is passed around to be smelled.  This symbolizes a boost to the soul as Shabbat, considered a time of extra spiritual elevation, departs.
• Candle (Havdalah Candle):  A braided, multi-wick candle is lit, symbolizing the light of creation.  The candle is extinguished at the end of the ceremony, representing the transition back into the mundane week.  

2.  Blessings Recited:

• Over the Wine:  "Baruch atah Adonai Melech HaOlam Borei Pri HaGafen" (the standard blessing over wine).

Translation:  Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

• Over the Spices:  Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha'Olam, borei minei v'samim (giving thanks for fragrant spices)

Translation:  Blessed are You L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Creator of various kinds of spices.

• Over the Candle:  "Baruch atah Adonai Melech HaOlam, borei m'orei ha'esh.  (thanking HaShem for the creation of fire and light) 

Translation:  Blessed are You L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Creator of the ligts of fire.  

• The Havdalah Blessing:  A central blessing acknowledges the separation between sacred and ordinary, light and dark, Israel and other nations, and the Sabbath and the work week.  

          "Baruch atah Adonai Melech HaOlam,

hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol, bein or l'chosheck, bein Yisrael la'amim, bein yom ha'shevi'i l'sheishet y'mei ha'ma'aseh.  Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol. 

Translation:  Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who separates between holy and profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of labor.  Blessed are You, L-rd, Who separates between holy and profane.  

3;  Extinguishing the Candle:

• The Havdalah candle is extinguished in the wine from the Havdalah cup.  This action concludes the ceremony.  

Procedure:  

1.  The participants gather, and the blessings are recited in sequence over the wine, spices and candle.  This sequence is found both in the Siddur as well as in the Family Zemiros.  

2.  After the blessings, the candle's flame is used for participants to look at their fingernails in the light, symbolizing the ability to distinguish between light and shadow, an act of discernment central to Havdalah's theme.  

3.  The Havdalah prayer is recited, marking the separation between the holy and the mundane.  

4.  In Lapid Judaism before extinguishing the candle, we light a single candle which is our way of carrying the light into the following week.  

5.  Everyone present takes a "last breath" of the Sabbath and the candle is extinguished. Participants wish each other a good week ("Shavuah Tov").  It is also customary to sing songs such as "Eliyahu HaNavi" (a prayer for the prophet Elijah)

Significance:  Havdalah emphasized the importance of transitions and boundaries in Jewish life, reinforcing the separation between the sacred time of Shabbat and the ordinary time of the work week.  It also serves as a moment to carry the spiritual elevation of Shabbat into the coming week.  

Rabbi Griffin has created a document to assist individuals with the Havdalah ceremony.  Click Here to learn more.  

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