Rabbi David Schneyer and Sarah Berry

The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. Three things are required for this ritual: a glass of wine or other liquid, some fragrant spices, and a special Havdalah candle. The first of the four havdalah blessings is made over wine or another liquid. The second blessing is recited over fragrant spices. The spices represent a compensation for the loss of the special sabbath spirit. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box. The third blessing is recited over the special, multi-wicked Havdalah candle, which is the ceremony performed at the Vigil. Lighting a flame is a vivid way of marking the distinction between the sabbath and the weekday, because a flame cannot be kindled on the sabbath. After the blessing is recited, hands are held up to the flame with curved fingers, so the shadow of the fingers on the palms can be seen. This is done because it would be improper to recite a blessing for something and then not use the thing. The final blessing is the havdalah blessing itself, the blessing over the separation of different things. The blessing is recited over the wine. After the blessing is complete, the wine is drunk. A few drops of wine are used to extinguish the flame from the candle.