HAVDOLOH



This happens at the close of The Shabbos, when you see 3 stars in the sky.



Song: Behold, HASHEM Is My Salvation



(The following is Ashkenaz pronounciation.)NOTE: As to not take Hashem's name in vain I am typing HASHEM in place of Ad-noy, or Ad---NOY with the O missing, I am slao adding a K in EloKeinu. We never say G-d's name (A----y)unless we are actually daveing (praying), saying a borucha, or the men are reading from the Sefer Torah. There is also the issue according to some that if it is on your computer screen, when you turn the screen off it erases the name of G-d. So, we do these precautionary things of of love, respect and awe of Hashem our G_d.


Hinay Ayl yeshu-osi, evtach v'lo efchod ki ozi v'zimros Yoh Ad-noy, vay-hi li lishu-oh. Ush-avtem ma-yim b'soson, mima-ainay hai-shu-o. L'Ad--oy haishu-o, al am'chovircosecho selo. Ad--noy Tz'vo-os imonu misgov lonu EloKhay ya'akov selo. Ad--oy Tz'v'os, ashray odom, botay-ach boch. Ad--noy hoshi-o, Adonoy hoshi-o, hamlech ya-anaynu v'yom kor-aynu La-y'hudeem hoy-so oro v'simcho v'soson vikor. Kayn tee-yee lonu. Kos ye'shu'os eso. uvshaym Adonoy ekro.

Behold, HASHEM is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for HASHEM, is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation. Therefore with joy will we draw water out of the wells of salvation. Salvation belongs to HASHEM ; your blessing be upon your 'people, SELAH!

HASHEM master of legions is with us; a stronghold is the G_d of Ya'akov. Blessed is the man trusts in you. May the King answer us the day we call. For the Jews had light and joy, gladness and honor. So be it with us. I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of HASHEM.

The Heart of the Havdoloh service is its four blessings.



1. Boruch ato Ad--noy ElohKainu melech ho'olam boray p'ri hagafen.

Blessed are you, HASHEM our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Everyone present says..."Omeyn!"

The spice box is taken and the following is said:

2. Boruch ato Ad--oy ElohKainu melech ho'olam borai minai v'somim.

Blessed are you, HASHEM our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who creates various kinds of spices.

After saying the previous borucha Demonstrate sniffing the spice box and Pass it around for everyone to enjoy the scent.

As the next blessing is said everyone extend your fingers toward the flame, straight out or cupping them with the palms facing up, so that the light of the candle is reflected in the fingernails and in the shadows cast by the bent fingers over the palms.

3. Boruch ato Ad--noy ElohKainu melech ho-olam m'orai ho-aysh.

Blessed are you, HASHEM our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who creates the light of fire.

Everyone present say... "Omeyn!"

Finally, the fourth blessing over divine acts of separation, and of distinguishing a holy day from secular. The Havdolah leader holds the cup as he recites this blessing:

4. Baruch atah Ad---noy ElohKainu melech ho'olam, hamavidil bayn kodesh l'chol, bayn or l'choshech, bayn Yisrael l'amim, bayn yorm hashvi-I leshaishes y'may hama'ase. Boruch ato Ad--noy, ha-mavdil bayn koidesh l'chol.

Blessed are you, HASHEM our G_d, Ruler of the universe, who made a distinction between holy and profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six working days. Deserving of praise are you, HASHEM, who distinguishes between holy and profane.

After all the blessings are completed the leader or someone else that was present should drink the most wine(he is not driving tonight. grin) pour a little wine into the havdoloh set's tray, and the candle is then dipped into it, extinguishing the light. (crackle crackle)

Everyone present say... "Omeyn!"

It is customary for everyone present to dip there fingers into the wine in the saucer and touch the eyelids and inner pockets with them, This, according to some, symbolizes the light of mitzvo that will The Ruach haKoidesh will use to guide us for the coming week.




The person who recited the havdoloh, or someone else that was present should drink the most wine (someone not driving. grin!)

Now that you have had a taste of a Havdolah in print form, get yourself a Siddur and do it yourself. I reccomend The Artscroll Nusach Ashkenaz transliterated for beginners, which would be similar to what I had prepared here, or if you are fluent in Hebrew, either the regular Nusach Ashkenaz or Nusach Sephard Artscroll Siddur will do. Remember, follow the leading of your Rov, use the one in accordance with his pronounciation, he will follow the way of his father's decent.



When Shabbos ends the spiritual trauma which we as Jews may feel at this loss is subtly indicated in the word "vayinafash" (Shmos 31:17, Ex 31:17) which describes G-d's rest following the six days of creation. This can be read as a combination of two words "vay nefesh" which means "woe to the soul which has been lost."

To ease this loss, our Sages instituted the practice of smelling "besamim" (fragrant spices) during the havdalah service at the Shabbos conclusion. Fragrance is the only earthly thing which the soul enjoys, and it is this nourishment which enables the remaining soul to overcome the shock of losing its Shabbos companion, which we call our kallah (bride).




Although we cannot' copyright The traditional havdalah event itself, this EXACT copy as it appears here is copywritten, and so is the picture.


© Copyright 1999 by T.O.M.J. BEIS

This article may be used with prior written permission, proper credit given, and a link back to ©T.O.M.J. BEIS.



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