Maddie James
The Havdalah ceremony marks the conclusion of Shabbat and the transition to a new week in Judaism. It involves the lighting of a braided candle with multiple wicks, known as a Havdalah candle, which symbolises the unity and diversity of the Jewish people. The candle is often made of beeswax and can be crafted with different colours to represent various seasons or personal preferences. While the number of braids can vary, a 5-strand braid or a braid with at least three wicks is commonly used, with each wick requiring a separate strand of braided wax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of braids | 3 |
| Maximum number of braids | 5 |
| Number of wicks | 3 or more |
| Colors | Red, orange, yellow, Blue, Green |
| Wax type | Beeswax |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of Havdalah
The word Havdalah means "separation" in Hebrew, and it refers to the symbolic end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week. It is a Jewish religious ceremony that involves lighting a special candle with several wicks, blessing a cup of wine, and smelling sweet spices. The ceremony marks the transition from the holiness of Shabbat to the ordinary days of the week ahead.
Havdalah is performed when three stars are visible in the night sky on Saturday night, marking the end of the Jewish day. The ritual is a multi-sensory experience that includes fire, spices, and wine. The leader recites a series of nine joyful quotes from the Hebrew Bible, followed by the hagafen blessing, which is always said before drinking wine. The participants respond with a "Amen". The reader then says another blessing, after which everyone takes a whiff of aromatic herbs, oils, or spices. This is followed by another blessing, and participants then hold their hands close to the candle flame to see the light reflected on their fingernails. A longer blessing is recited, followed by a final "Amen", and then the participants drink the wine.
The blessings during Havdalah talk about the distinctions between the holy and the everyday, light and darkness, the people of Israel and other peoples, and the seventh day of rest and the six days of work. The wine is a symbol of joy and is used to sanctify the moment. The spices represent the sweetness of Shabbat, which participants hope to carry into the new week. The candle, with its multiple wicks, signifies the multiple blessings of the ceremony.
The conclusion of the ceremony involves pouring leftover wine into a small dish and extinguishing the candle in it. This act symbolizes that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah. Some dip their fingers into the wine and touch their eyes or pockets, considering it a "segulah" or good omen. After the ceremony, participants sing "Eliyahu Hanavi" ("Elijah the Prophet") and/or "HaMavdil Bein Kodesh LeChol" ("Who separates Holy from ordinary/weekday"), wishing each other a good week.
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How to make a braided candle
The Havdalah ceremony is a meaningful addition to your Shabbat traditions. It marks the conclusion of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week when three stars are visible in the night sky. The ceremony includes blessings, Israeli dancing, spices, wine or grape juice, and a braided candle with at least three wicks.
The number of braids in a Havdalah candle depends on the number of colours or strands you choose. Each colour represents one braid in the candle. For example, warm colours like red, orange, and yellow are perfect for the harvest season, while cool tones like blue and green are beautiful for seedtime. You can also choose to make a 5-strand braid by focusing on moving the outermost strands toward the centre.
To make a braided candle, you will need wax strips, wicks, and a hairdryer. Cut the wax sheets into 2-inch-wide strips and the wicks 1 inch longer than the wax strips. Warm each wax strip slightly using the hairdryer, just enough to make it pliable without melting. Place a wick in the centre of each strip and gently roll it into a candle strand. Lay the strands side by side and warm them briefly so they stick together at the top. Slowly braid the strands, reheating as necessary to prevent breaking.
You can also purchase a DIY Havdalah candle kit, which includes everything you need to make a braided candle, such as flexible candles, a Styrofoam ball, cloves, and a clip to help with braiding. These kits are a fun activity for families and children and can be purchased at a lower cost by using only three candles for braiding instead of six.
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The significance of three wicks
The Havdalah candle is a meaningful addition to Shabbat traditions. It marks the conclusion of Shabbat and the transition to the week ahead. The candle is lit when three stars are visible in the night sky on Saturday evening. The braided candle with multiple wicks symbolises the diversity of the Jewish people, woven together in unity, strength and love. It also represents the separation of the "holy" from the "mundane".
The Havdalah candle typically has three wicks, though some sources suggest that it can have more. The three wicks are significant because they produce more light than three single candles. This represents the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The three wicks also symbolise the three pillars of Judaism: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim. Torah represents the study of Jewish law and ethics; Avodah refers to the worship and service of God; and Gemilut Chasadim stands for acts of loving-kindness towards others.
The number three holds spiritual significance in many religious and cultural traditions, including Judaism. In the context of Havdalah, the number three may also represent the three blessings recited during the ceremony: the blessing over the wine, the blessing over the spices, and the blessing over the candle. These blessings create a sensory and spiritual rhythm that frames the sacredness of Shabbat and prepares individuals for the week ahead.
The braiding of the wicks is also symbolic. The intertwining of the wicks represents the interconnectedness of the Jewish community and the idea that their strength lies in their unity. The act of braiding can also be seen as a meditative practice, bringing a sense of calm and focus to the ceremony. Additionally, the braiding adds to the aesthetic appeal of the candle, making it a visually striking element of the Havdalah tradition.
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The colours of the braids
The number of colours chosen for the braids usually corresponds to the number of strands in the braid. For example, a 5-strand braid can be created using five different colours, with each colour representing a strand. This approach adds visual interest and complexity to the candle's design.
Some sources suggest that the colours of the braids may hold symbolic meaning in the context of the Havdalah ceremony. The intertwined candle braids, with their vibrant colours, can represent the separation of the "holy" from the "mundane" and the transition from Shabbat to the new week. This transition is marked by blessings and traditions that engage the senses, including the candle's light and colour.
While the specific colours chosen for the braids may vary, the overall effect is intended to be aesthetically pleasing and meaningful. The colours come together in the braided candle, creating a unique and personalised symbol of the Havdalah tradition. The candle's warm and vibrant colours illuminate the ceremony, enhancing the spiritual and sensory experience for those in attendance.
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The history of braided Havdalah candles
The Havdalah ceremony marks the conclusion of Shabbat, the day of rest in Judaism, and the start of a new week. It involves blessings, spices, wine or grape juice, and a candle. The candle is used to signify the transition from the "'holy'" Shabbat to the "mundane" week ahead.
The history of the braided Havdalah candle is a little unclear. Most sources refer to the Ashkenazi tradition, where candles were used instead of oil for lighting. The braiding of the candle may have been a way to create multiple wicks, as required for the Havdalah candle. R. Mordechai Eliyahu is quoted as saying that the intertwining of the candle strands signified "Shamor" and "Zachor", which were "be-dibbur ehad ne'emru". This interpretation does not seem to be limited to the Ashkenazim, but to anyone who uses a candle for Havdalah.
The Alter Rebbe, in the Shluchan Aruch, writes that beeswax candles are preferable for Havdalah, based on the kabbalistic teachings of the Arizal. This text does not specify the number of braids required, but it does mention the preference for beeswax, which is often used in braided candles.
The number of braids in a Havdalah candle is not fixed, and sources suggest that it can vary from a 5-strand braid to a simple 3-strand braid. The braids can be made up of different coloured wax, with each colour representing a different strand. The colours chosen can be based on personal preference or the time of year, with warm colours like red, orange, and yellow being popular for the harvest season, and cooler tones like blue and green for seedtime.
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Frequently asked questions
A Havdalah candle should have at least three braids, which represent the diversity of the Jewish people and their unity, strength and love.
The braid in a Havdalah candle symbolises the coming together of the Jewish community in strength and love. The braids also represent the various colours of fire, alluded to in the blessing's plural form of "illuminations of fire".
A Havdalah candle should have a minimum of three wicks.
