ֵ What-is-Havdalah
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following
three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
I was asked many years ago whilst in Shul, by
a 22 year old Hebraic man in
“Rabbi, how did Havdalah come about, or is it
just another ancient rabbinic invention?”
Considering the question, let me provide an answer that will cover the facts about Havdalah.
The word ‘Havdalah’ comes from the verb ‘L’havdil’ in Hebrew, which means ‘to separate’, or, to
make a distinction. It is a ceremony that separates Shabbas from the
regular six days of the week.
The mitzvah of ‘Havdalah’ dates back to very early time in our long history, we know for a fact that it was celebrated way back in the times of the “Great Assembly” around 515 BCE. However, at a much later date the famous and a highly respected Hebrew sage formalized some of its blessings. This was Maimonides told us that the mitzvah of ‘Havdalah’ is based on a commandment from the Torah, derived from the commandment to sanctify the Sabbath. Below it is in Ivrit (Hebrew) and English:
זָכוֹר
אֶת-יוֹם
הַשַּׁבָּת,
לְקַדְּשׁוֹ
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”. Exodus 20:7. (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
The idea being, when we commence the erev
Shabbat service, we sanctify it with ‘candles’ and ‘wine’ and a blessing
(“Kiddush”), therefore, when we exit Shabbat, we should do much the same, but
differently!
The timing of Havdalah is very specific. It is performed after three stars are visible in our night sky on Saturday evening because only when we are able to see three stars, makes it officially night time. This natural marker ensures that Shabbat has actually ended. The ceremony in its original format was with fire and spices, and it must be completed before dawn the next day, however, it should really be performed as soon as Shabbat has officially ended.
The Havdalah ritual engages all five senses making it a fully immersive experience.
1 Sight: The ceremony centers around that special
braided ‘Havdalah candle’ with multiple wicks. This multi-wick design creates a
larger and a
brighter flame symbolizing the first fire that אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim (God) showed Adam after the first Shabbat.
Traditionally, people raise their hands toward the flame and look at their
fingernails in its light, reminiscent of how Adam discovered fire’s
illuminating properties.
2. Smell: A spice container (Be’samim in Hebrew)
filled with sweet-smelling spices like cinnamon, cloves, or bay
leaves is passed around. The pleasant aroma is meant to comfort the soul
as it mourns the departure of that “extra soul” we receive during Shabbat.
3. Taste: The ceremony includes drinking wine or grape juice from a cup.
4. Touch: Participants are encouraged to join hands or link arms during the
blessings, creating a physical connection between family and friends. Some also
pass the spice box from hand to hand, and all smell its wonderful aroma,
creating another tactile element.
5. Hear: The leader chants of the blessings in a traditional melody,
especially for the final blessing. The whole event expresses the hope for
redemption in the coming week.
The order of the ritual is as
follows:
Ner: Blessing over the fire.
Yayin: Blessing over the wine.
Kiddush: Blessing over the spices.
Havdalah: Blessing of separation (from Shabbat).
YYYYYYY
Within different Hebraic communities Havdalah services are somewhat different. Below, is one of those, which have been somewhat abbreviated, but contain the most important blessings, etc!
They are shown in ‘Ivrit’, ‘Transliterations’ and of course in ‘English’.
1. Lighting the candle:
בָּרוּךְ
אַתָּה יְיָ,
אֱלֹהֵינוּ
מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
בּוֹרֵא
מְאוֹרֵי
הָאֵשׁ
“Baruch atah Ado’nai, Eloheinu Me’lech ha’olam, bo’rei me’orei ha’esh”.
“Blessed are You, YHVH our God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of the lights and of the fire”.
2. Blessing
over the Hagafen (Wine):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן
“Baruch atah, YHVH Eloheinu,
Melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’gafen”.
“Blessed are You, YHVH our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of
the fruit of the vine”
3. Blessings over the Spices:
בָּרוּךְ
אַתָּה יְיָ,
אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ
הָעוֹלָם,
בּוֹרֵא
מִינֵי
בְשָׂמִים
“Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheinu Me’lech ha’olam, borei mi’nei v’sa’mim”.
“Blessed are You, YHVH our God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of varied spices”.
4. Closing Blessing:
בָּרוּךְ
אַתָּה יְיָ,
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ
מֶֽלֶךְ
הָעוֹלָם,
הַמַּבְדִיל
בֵּין
קֹֽדֶשׁ לְחוֹל,
בֵּין אוֹר
לְחֹֽשֶׁךְ,
בֵּין
יִשְׂרָאֵל
לָעַמִּים,
בֵּין יוֹם
הַשְּׁבִיעִי
לְשֵֽׁשֶׁת
יְמֵי
הַמַּעֲשֶׂה.
בָּרוּךְ
אַתָּה יְיָ,
הַמַּבְדִיל
בֵּין
קֹֽדֶשׁ
לְחוֹל.
“Baruch atah YHVH, El’oheinu Me’lech ha’olam, ha’mav’dil bein ko’desh le’chol, bein or le’choshech, bein Yisrael la’amim, bein yom hash’vi’i le’shei’shet y’mei hama’aseh. Baruch atah Adonai, ha’mav’dil bein ko’desh le’chol”.
“Blessed are you, the LORD our God, Ruler of
the Universe, who distinguishes between the holy and the ordinary, between
light and dark, between
After the blessings, it’s customary to extinguish the
Havdalah candle in the wine, creating a satisfying sizzle.
Final Greeting:
The ceremony concludes with wishes for a good week with … Shavua Tov - “Have a good week”.
After the
blessings, it’s
customary to extinguish the Havdalah candle.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those
who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work
on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and
always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance,
for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He!
However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of
hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and
continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Enter ...