Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is a day of rest and spiritual reflection. As the sun begins to set on Saturday evening and three stars become visible in the night sky, Shabbat concludes with a meaningful and sensory-rich ceremony known as Havdalah. This ritual, often referred to as the Shabbat services closing prayer, marks the separation between the sacredness of Shabbat and the return to the week of work and everyday activities. Havdalah is not just an ending, but a bridge, carrying the peace and holiness of Shabbat into the week ahead.
What is Havdalah: Marking the End of Shabbat
Havdalah, meaning “separation” or “distinction” in Hebrew, is a brief but powerful ceremony performed at the conclusion of Shabbat and Jewish holidays. It is a multi-sensory experience engaging sight, smell, taste, and even touch, to gently transition from the spiritual elevation of Shabbat back to the routine of the week. Jewish tradition teaches that on Shabbat, we are gifted with an extra soul. As Shabbat ends, Havdalah is the moment we relinquish this additional soul, hoping to retain the day’s sweetness and sanctity throughout the week.
The ceremony utilizes specific symbolic items: a cup of wine or grape juice, a spice box filled with fragrant spices, and a special braided Havdalah candle with multiple wicks. These elements are central to the blessings recited during Havdalah, each representing a different aspect of separation and transition.
The Significance and Meaning of the Havdalah Ceremony
The blessings of Havdalah highlight the distinctions that are central to Jewish life and time itself. These blessings explicitly recognize the separation:
- Between the holy and the everyday (kodesh l’chol): Shabbat is a holy time, distinct from the mundane activities of the rest of the week.
- Between light and darkness (or l’choshekh): Havdalah is performed as night falls, marking the transition from the light of day into darkness. The Havdalah candle itself symbolizes the re-introduction of fire and light as Shabbat ends.
- Between the people Israel and other nations (Yisrael la-amim): This distinction emphasizes the unique covenant and responsibilities of the Jewish people.
- Between the seventh day of rest and the six days of work (yom ha-shevi’i l’sheshet y’mai ha-ma’aseh): This is the core separation Havdalah emphasizes – the shift from the day of rest back to the days of creation and work.
The wine, over which a blessing is recited, symbolizes joy and sanctification. It is a way to elevate the moment of transition. The spices are sniffed to revive the spirit as Shabbat departs, their sweet fragrance meant to carry the pleasantness of Shabbat into the new week and to gently awaken our senses to worldly responsibilities. The Havdalah candle, with its strengthened flame, is used to visually demonstrate the distinction between light and darkness. We gaze at our fingernails and palms in its glow, observing the shadows, a tangible representation of this separation.
This first light of the new week from the Havdalah candle is symbolic of renewed creation and activity. It signals that the time for rest and reflection is over, and the time for engaging with the world and our tasks has returned. As we transition back to the weekly routine, Havdalah also connects us to the concept of the Messianic era, a future time of peace and justice. This connection is invoked through the mention of the prophet Elijah, who tradition holds will herald the arrival of the Messiah. Some also include Miriam the prophetess, envisioning her leading the Jewish people in joyful song towards a time of perfection.
How to Perform the Havdalah “Shabbat Services Closing Prayer”
Performing Havdalah is a simple yet beautiful ritual that can be done at home with family and friends. You will need:
- A braided Havdalah candle: This special candle has multiple wicks, making a larger, brighter flame.
- A spice box (or fragrant spices): Traditionally, cloves, cinnamon, or other sweet-smelling spices are used.
- A Kiddush cup and wine or grape juice: The same cup used for Kiddush on Shabbat can be used for Havdalah.
- A non-flammable dish of water or wine: To extinguish the candle flame safely.
Gather your family or community in a dimly lit room to enhance the effect of the candle’s light. Distribute the items so different people can hold the candle, spices, and wine cup.
The Havdalah blessings can be recited in Hebrew or English, either by one person or together as a group. As each blessing is recited, engage with the corresponding item:
- Introductory Verses: These verses are recited to set the tone and anticipation for Havdalah.
- Blessing over the Wine: The Kiddush cup is raised for all to see as the blessing over the wine is recited, sanctifying the moment. The wine is not yet sipped.
- Blessing over the Spices: The spice box is passed around so everyone can inhale the fragrant spices, awakening their senses.
- Blessing over the Havdalah Candle: The candle is held high, and each person extends their hand to observe the light, turning their hands back and forth to see the distinction between light and shadow. Looking at the light reflected in the eyes of those nearby is also a meaningful custom for some.
- Concluding Blessing (Ha-Mavdil): This blessing summarizes the distinctions between holy and everyday, light and darkness, and Shabbat and the week.
After the blessings, each person takes a sip of the wine. The remaining wine is poured into the non-flammable dish, and the Havdalah candle is extinguished in the liquid. For a more dramatic effect, some use whiskey or vodka to extinguish the candle, creating a brief, large flame that can be particularly engaging for children (with adult supervision and safety precautions, of course).
The Havdalah Blessings in Hebrew and English
Here are the Havdalah blessings, bridging the Hebrew and English for understanding and participation:
Introductory Paragraph:
הִנֵּה אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי אֶבְטַח וְלֹא אֶפְחָד כִּי עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ יי וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָהוּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָהלַיי הַיְשׁוּעָה עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָהיי צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶלָהיי צְבָאוֹת אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּוטֵחַ בָּךיי הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם קָרָאֵנולַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשֹׂן וִיקָרכֵּן תְהִיֶה לָנוּ:כּוֹס יְשׁוּעוֹת אֶשָּׂא וּבְשֵׁם יי אֶקְרָא
Hinei El yeshu’ati, evtach v’-lo efchad. Ki ozi ve-zimrat Yah Adonai, vayhi li liyshu’a. Ush’avtem mayim b’sason mi-ma’y’nei ha-yshu’a. L’Adonai ha-y’shu’a, al amkha virkhatekha selah. Adonai tz’vaot imanu, misgav lanu Elohei Ya’akov selah. Adonai tz’vaot ashrei adam boteakh bach. Adonai hosheea, ha-Melech ya’aneinu b’yom kor’einu. La-Yhudim hayta orah ve-simcha ve-sason viykar, ken tihyeh lanu. Kos yeshu’ot esa uvshem Adonai ekra.
Behold, God is my unfailing help; I will trust in God and will not be afraid. God is strength and song, my Deliverer. With joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation. God alone is our help; may God bless His people. God of the universe is with us; the God of Jacob is our protection. There was light and joy; gladness and honor for the Jewish people. So may we be blessed. I will lift the cup of salvation and call upon God’s Name.
Blessing over the wine:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei peri ha-gafen.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessing over the spices:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei minei v’samim.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of many kinds of spices.
Blessing over the flames of the Havdalah candle:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, borei m’orei ha-eish.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fire’s light.
Concluding blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל, בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹלבָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, ha-mavdil bein kodesh l’chol, bein or-le’choshekh, bein Yisrael la-amim, bein yom ha-shevi’i l’sheshet y’mai ha-ma’aseh. Barukh ata Adonai, ha-mavdil bein kodesh l’chol.
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the universe, Who distinguishes between the sacred and the profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and other people of the world, between the seventh day and the six days of the week. Blessed are You, Who distinguishes between the sacred and the profane.
Post-Havdalah Songs: Welcoming the Week
Following the Havdalah blessings, it is customary to sing songs that further transition from Shabbat to the week ahead. Often, participants join hands in a circle and sing “Shavua Tov,” meaning “A Good Week” in Hebrew. This song is sung in both Hebrew and English, expressing wishes for peace, gladness, and joy in the coming week.
“Eliyahu HaNavi” (Elijah the Prophet) is another traditional song, sung in Hebrew, invoking the prophet Elijah and his connection to the coming of the Messiah. Some communities also include “Miriam Ha-Nevi’ah” (Miriam the Prophetess), celebrating Miriam’s role in leading the Jewish people to redemption and envisioning a future of repair and healing.
Shavua Tov
Shavua tov (8x)
A good week, a week of peace, may gladness reign and joy increase. (repeat twice)
Eliyahu HaNavi
Eliahu ha-navi, Eliahu ha-Tishbi, Eliahu ha-Giladi. Bimheira v’yameinu yavo eleinu, im mashiach ben David.
Miriam Ha-Nevi’a
Miriam ha-Nevi’a, oz v’zimra b’yadah. Miriam tirkod itanu l’hagdil zimrat olam. Miriam tirkod itanu l’taken et ha-olam. Bimheira v’yameinu, hee t’vi’einu el mei ha-y’shua. El mei ha-y’shua.
May Elijah the Prophet come to us, heralding the Messiah, soon and in our days!
Miriam the Prophetess, strength and song in her hand, will dance with us to repair the world. Soon, and in our days, may she bring us to the waters of redemption!
After singing these songs and wishing each other “Shavua Tov!” – a good week – the lights are turned on, symbolically and literally bringing Shabbat to a close and stepping into the week ahead, carrying the spirit of Shabbat with us.
Note: This article is based on and expands upon information from My Jewish Learning.
