Havdalah

Common card · No. 430089

Havdalah (Hebrew: הַבְדָּלָה, romanized: haḇdālā, lit. 'separation', Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: אַבְדַּלְתָּא, romanized: aḇdaltā) is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and ushers in the new week. The ritual involves lighting a special candle with several wicks, blessing a cup of wine, and smelling sweet spices (Hebrew: בְּשָׂמִים, romanized: bǝśāmim, lit. '"besamim"'). Shabbat ends on Saturday night after the appearance of three stars in the sky. If one forgot or was otherwise not able to recite Havdalah earlier, it may be performed as late as sunset of the Tuesday following Shabbat; however, when it is recited after Saturday night the blessings of the spices and candle are omitted, and only the blessings on the wine and the havdalah itself are recited. Havdalah is also recited at the conclusion of the biblical holidays.

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