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Three stars have appeared in the sky. Havdalah, or the "Separation" of the holy day from the days of work begins. We give thanks for the Sabbath day that is now ending. We are grateful for its many blessings: for peace and for joy, rest for the body, and refreshment for the soul. We hope that something of its meaning and message remains with us as we enter the new week, lifting all that we do to a higher place of holiness.
The solemn Havdalah is recited both in synagogue and at home.
Havdalah means distinction: This marks the distinction between sacred and ordinary.
The service will starts when three stars are visible. This is traditionally observed by the woman. This marks the end of the Shabbat. She will then say, "O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, guard thy people. The beloved Shabbat is departing." She will then light a single candle and exclaim, "A good week, a full week, a fortunate week, on us and on all of Israel. Amen." "A good week " is the greeting as the men come home.
Reader: Behold, God is my deliverance; I will trust, and will not be afraid; truly the L-rd is my strength and my song; He has delivered me indeed. Joyfully shall you draw upon the fountains of deliverance. It is for the L-rd to bring help; my God, thy blessing be upon thy people. The L-rd of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Stronghold. L-rd of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in thee. O L-rd, save us; may the King answer us when we call. The Jews had light and joy, gladness and honor. So be it with us. I will take the cup of deliverance, and will call upon the name of the L-rd. (Is. 12.2-3; Ps. 3.9; 46.12; 84.13; 20.10; Est. 8.16; Ps. 116.13)
(Fill the cup till it overflows. Do not drink any. Recite the following blessing while holding cup up, and fingers pointing up.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu melech ha-olam, borey p'ri ha gafen.
Blessed art thou, L-rd our God, King of the universe, for creating the fruit of the vine.
(Lift the spice box to God while reciting the following blessing)
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-Olam, Borey Miney V'Samim.
Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our God, King of the universe, who creates various kinds of spices.
(Pass the spice box around. The spice box is not used if the next day after the Shabbat is a festival.)
(Lift the candle to God while reciting the following blessing)
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-Olam, Borey Norey Ha aish.
Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our God, King of the universe, who creates the lights of fire.
Reader: God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and His radiance filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from His hand, where His power was hidden. (It is from Hab. 3.5)
(After the candle is lit the reader hold his hands before the candle till see the light seep through his hand and fingers without burning himself)
Eliyahu Hanavi
(Elijah the Prophet)
Eliyahu Ha-navi, Eliyahu Ha-tishbi
(Elijah the prophet, Elijah the Tishbite)
Eliyahu, Eliyahu, Eliyahu Ha-giladi
(Elijah, Elijah, Elijah the Giladite)
Bimheira v'yameinu yavo eileinu Im Mashiach Ben David
(May he come soon in our time and bring Messiah son of David)
(This song is song because of the traditional belief, that Messiah will not return on a Shabbat, due to its sacredness. So, once the Shabbat is over, Elijah is called to arrive because he must appear before the Messiah, in order to announce him.)
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheynu melech haOlam. Hamavdil bain kodesh l'chol bain l'choshech bain
Yisrael la-amim, bain yom hash-vii l'shaishet y'mai hama-asheh. Baruch ata Adonai hamav-dil bain-kodesh lichol.
Reader and group: Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our God, King of the universe, who has made a distinction between the sacred and the ordinary, between light and darkness, between Israel and the other nations, between the seventh day and the six working days. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd, who has made a distinction between the sacred and the profane.
(Drink the wine and pass it around for all to sip or have individual wine cups filled for all)
King of the Universe, O Father, who is merciful and forgiving, in Your goodness favor us with peace as we start the six working days; free us from all sin and transgression and cleanse us from all iniquity and wickedness. Please cause us, O Merciful God and King, to cling to the study Of Your Word, and to occupy ourselves with the doing of good deeds. May it be your will, that we hear, in the days to follow, news of gladness and joy. Keep us free from the envy of any man, and may we envy none. O Father of Mercy, bless and prosper the work of our hands, and the work of all who have thoughts of good in their hearts towards us, and your people Israel; but for all those who plan evil against us, and your people Israel, frustrate them and prevent them from carrying out their wicked schemes. As it is said, "Take counsel together, and it shall be brought to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us." O Father, in your mercy and forgiveness, open the gates of light and blessing, of redemption and salvation. Guide our feet to walk in Your ways and fill us with rejoicing, peace, and holiness. Direct us into the study of your Torah and inspire us to pray without ceasing; and in us fulfill the scripture:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that announces peace, the harbinger of good tidings, that announces salvation; that says unto Zion, Thy God reigns! Amen. (Selah). Yeshayahu 52.7 (Isaiah)
(The candle is put out with the wine that overflowed from the cup...as this ends the service)
Some like to make the candle fight to stay lit, this shows the reluctance to let the Sabbath to end.
(A finger is dipped in the wine and passing it over the eyes alludes to Psalm 19.9 where God's commands are described as "enlightening the eyes.")
The twisted candles... They represent a couple of things: It first represents a link between creation and redemption. The candle used in the Havdalah services has two wicks because it is to be a torch. A torch is something with at least two wicks. The Hebrew for torch is l'pidot. It is a synonym for the Messiah. Refer to the vision Avraham had of the torch between the two halves of the bull in Gen. 15. Also it is a picture of both Jews and Gentiles being the "one people of God" as we see from the Scriptures (one faith and the two sticks in Joseph's hand becoming one).
The overflowing cup..The glass represents as a visual sign of the fullness and completion of the week. As the wine spills, the Shabbat departs and reminds us that God's blessing both in this life and the life to come are more than we could ever ask for or deserve.
Putting out the candle...It shows the Shabbat ending which is sad because each week the people look forward to the Shabbat
Spice box...It is to cheer the soul since the Shabbat is departing and the realization that God's ultimate manifestation of redemption and Eternal Life must wait....as we experience it only symbolically in this life and the full manifestation of it awaits God's eternal sabbath. The intention is that this last fragrance will carry you through the pressures of the week until once again you can celebrate the Shabbat.