The mitzvah
Havdalah means “separation.” On Saturday night, after nightfall, a short ceremony with wine, fragrant spices and a braided candle marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the new week.
The sources
The Men of the Great Assembly established Havdalah for the Jewish people.
Fire was first made by Adam on the night after the first Shabbat — so we bless the light as Shabbat ends.
What you need
- A cup of wine or grape juice
- Spices (cloves, cinnamon, or a spice box)
- A braided candle with several wicks (or two candles held together)
- A siddur
Step by step
- Wait until nightfall — three stars in the sky (check your local time).
- Light the braided candle; have someone hold it.
- Hold the cup in your right hand. Many begin with a few verses from the siddur.
- Say the blessing on the wine, then put the cup down.
- Say the blessing on the spices and smell them; pass them around.
- Say the blessing on the fire and hold your fingers up to see the light reflected on your fingernails.
- Pick up the cup and say the final Havdalah blessing. Drink.
- Put out the candle in a little spilled wine. Wish everyone “Shavua tov” — a good week.
What to say
English first, then the words to say out loud — sounded out so anyone can say them.
This page contains Hebrew prayer text with the Divine Name. If you print it, please treat it respectfully and dispose of it appropriately (in genizah).
Questions people ask
Can I do things before Havdalah?
After nightfall, if you need to do work before Havdalah, first say: “Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” — Blessed is He who separates between holy and ordinary (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 299:10).
No braided candle?
Hold two regular candles so their flames touch.
Why look at the fingernails?
It is an old custom (Orach Chaim 298:3): we benefit from the light, so we look at it before blessing it.
Your family’s way
Many Sephardim bless “borei atzei v’samim” when the spices are wood-based (like cinnamon). In some families women do not drink the Havdalah wine. Follow your custom.
The inner dimension
Shabbat gives us light; Havdalah asks us to carry it into Sunday through Friday. The first thing we do in the new week is bless fire — the first human creation.
This Saturday night, make Havdalah — five minutes, one candle.
These are general guidelines. Customs differ between communities, and for a personal question, ask a rabbi you trust.