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Havdalah

The theme of separateness is emphasized in the ritual that ends Shabbat, Havdalah, the Separating. We acknowledge the difference between sacred time and secular time, and we welcome the new week with the words, "Shavua tov," "A good week."

Unlike the beginning of Shabbat, which begins at sundown, Havdalah does not take place until we can see three stars in the sky (about forty-five minutes after sundown.). In this way we show our reluctance to part with the Shabbat bride.

Since one of the possible times for the arrival of the Messiah is the end of Shabbat, part of the Havdalah ceremony is to invite Elijah the Prophet (who will announce the Messiah's arrival) into our homes.

Havdalah is one of our loveliest ceremonies. Traditionally, it takes place at home and does not require a minyan. It uses three ritual objects. In a darkened room, we light a multi-wicked candle. The candle has to have more than one wick because the accompanying blessing includes the words, "Who creates the lights of fire," with "lights" in the plural.

The Havdalah ceremony begins with a blessing over wine, the symbol of our joy. Just as Shabbat begins with wine, it ends with wine.

During the Havdalah ceremony we smell sweet spices. According to our tradition, Jews receive an added Shabbat soul during the Sabbath. The pain of saying good-bye to that extra spark of the Divine needs comfort, and smelling sweet spices serves that purpose.

As part of the Havdalah ritual, we use the light of the mult-wicked candle to examine our nails, thus emphasizing that the Shabbat is over and light can again be used pragmatically. Saying a blessing over this light used to be the only brachah over light which our sages said.

Some rabbis noted that such an examination also made a shadow on our hands, separating light from darkness, emphasizing the theme of Separation, Havdalah.

The final blessing of Havdalah notes a number of separations between sacred and secular; between light and darkness; between Israel and the other nations; between Shabbat and the six days of creation.