ֵ What-is-Havdalah
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“What is Havdalah”
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 centres 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).
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“The Havdalah Service”
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.
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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