Jessie Taylor
Havdalah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the 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. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the leftover wine is poured into a small dish, and the candle is extinguished in it. This is done to demonstrate that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah. Some people also dip a finger into the leftover wine and touch their eyes or pockets with it. This article will explore the different ways to extinguish the Havdalah candle and the cultural and religious significance behind the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | The Havdalah candle is not blown out but extinguished in wine, whiskey, vodka, or water. |
| Reason | Extinguishing the candle in wine demonstrates that it was lit solely for a mitzvah, and not as a regular source of light. |
| Symbolism | The leftover wine is considered a "segulah" or good omen. |
| Ritual | After the candle is extinguished, it is customary to sing "Eliyahu Hanavi" and/or "HaMavdil Bein Kodesh LeChol". |
| Timing | Havdalah is performed when three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night, marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week. |
| Participants | Traditionally, women do not drink the leftover wine, but if a woman makes Havdalah for herself, she should drink the wine. |
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What You'll Learn
Use wine to extinguish the candle
Havdalah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the 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. The candle is then extinguished in the wine to conclude the ceremony.
The custom of extinguishing the Havdalah candle in wine is symbolic. It is done to show that the candle was lit only for the mitzvah of Havdalah. The spilling of wine is also seen as a sign of blessing and generosity with mitzvahs. The Talmud says, "Wine spilling like water is a sign of blessing." The act of spilling wine is meant to start the week off right, filling the cup of Havdalah so that a little spills out.
While it is common to extinguish the Havdalah candle in wine, it is not a requirement. Some people may choose to dip the candle into a small amount of wine on a saucer, or even extinguish it in water or a mix of wine and water. The important thing is that the candle is not simply blown out.
To extinguish the Havdalah candle in wine, you can follow these steps:
- Use a small-ish wine cup to reduce the amount of wine needed.
- Do not drink all the wine, but leave a little in the cup.
- Pour a small amount of water into the cup with the remaining wine.
- Carefully pour the mixture of wine and water over the candle to extinguish it.
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Do not blow out the candle
The Havdalah candle should not be blown out. Instead, it is customary to extinguish the candle in the remaining wine or grape juice. This practice is derived from the Talmud, which states that "wine spilling like water is a sign of blessing". By filling the cup so that a little spills out, we are symbolically starting the week off with blessings.
Another reason for not blowing out the Havdalah candle is rooted in Kabbalistic tradition. According to this tradition, it is improper to make use of the names of holy angels. Blowing out the candle with force produces a sound that is similar to the name of an angel, and therefore, it is avoided.
Additionally, the Torah compares man's soul to a 'breath' or flame' from Hashem. Using one's breath to blow out the candle's flame can be seen as using one 'soul' to extinguish another, which is considered an ironic gesture.
The act of extinguishing the Havdalah candle in wine also holds symbolic meaning. It demonstrates that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah and not as a regular source of light. This is further emphasised by the fact that the wine used for this ritual is considered a "segulah", or good omen, as it was used for a sacred purpose.
The Havdalah ceremony is a beautiful ritual that marks the end of Shabbat and ushers in the new week. It involves lighting a special braided candle with multiple wicks, blessing a cup of wine, and smelling sweet spices. The candle is then extinguished in the wine, symbolising a final goodbye to Shabbat and carrying its blessings into the week ahead.
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Use your hand to extinguish the candle
Using your hand to extinguish the Havdalah candle is a customary practice. The candle is typically extinguished by dipping it into the leftover wine, which is a sign that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah. This practice is rooted in the Talmud, which states that "wine spilling like water is a sign of blessing".
There are several reasons why people may choose to extinguish the Havdalah candle by hand. One reason is to avoid blowing out the candle, as this can be considered ironic, using one 'soul' (in the form of breath) to extinguish another. This belief stems from the Torah's depiction of the human soul as a 'breath' from Hashem.
Another reason for extinguishing the candle by hand is related to Kabbalistic tradition. According to this tradition, it is improper to make use of the names of holy angels. Blowing out the candle with force produces a sound that may be similar to the name of a holy angel, and therefore, many people choose to avoid this by using their hand instead.
Extinguishing the Havdalah candle in the leftover wine is a symbolic gesture that connects the flame and the mitzvah. It is also a way to start the week off right, as the spilling of wine is considered a blessing. This practice ensures that the candle is not used as a regular source of light and is only lit for the sacred purpose of the Havdalah ceremony.
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Reuse the candle for the next ceremony
The Havdalah ceremony is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the 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.
The Havdalah candle is traditionally extinguished by pouring leftover wine into a small dish and dipping the candle wick into it. This is done as a sign that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah. The leftover wine is considered a "segulah", or good omen.
If you would like to reuse the candle for the next ceremony, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure to only light the candle for a short time during the ceremony. This will ensure that there is enough wax left to light the candle again. You can then gently extinguish the flame by dipping it into the leftover wine, being careful not to burn yourself.
After the ceremony, you can store the candle in a safe place until the next Havdalah. Make sure to keep the candle away from any open flames or heat sources that could melt the wax or cause a fire hazard. You can also trim the wick if it becomes too long, to ensure that it stays lit during the next ceremony.
By reusing the candle, you can continue to uphold the traditions and symbolism of the Havdalah ceremony while also being mindful of resources.
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Use water to extinguish the candle
While it is customary to extinguish the Havdalah candle in a small dish of leftover wine, it is also possible to use water. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Prepare the necessary items
Firstly, gather the required items: a braided Havdalah candle with multiple wicks, a spice box filled with fragrant spices, and a kiddush cup for wine or grape juice. If a special Havdalah candle is unavailable, two regular candles can be used instead.
Form a circle and begin the ceremony
In a fairly dark room, form a circle with the people participating in the ceremony. The Havdalah blessings are then recited in Hebrew or English, either by one person or all together.
Pass around the spices and candle
As each blessing is said, pass around the relevant item. The kiddush cup is held up for all to see, but the wine is not sipped yet. The spices are passed around so that each person can smell their fragrance. The candle is held high, and everyone puts their hands up to the candle's light, turning their hands over and bending their fingers to see the light reflected in their fingernails and, sometimes, in the eyes of those nearby.
Sip the wine and extinguish the candle with water
After the blessings are concluded, each person takes a sip from the wine. Instead of pouring the leftover wine into a non-flammable dish to extinguish the candle, as is customary, you can use water instead. Simply pour water into a non-flammable dish or basin and extinguish the candle in it.
It is worth noting that the use of wine in the Havdalah ceremony is significant. Wine is considered symbolic, representing joy and sanctifying the moment. The spilling of wine, as mentioned in the Talmud, is also seen as "a sign of blessing." Therefore, while water can be used to extinguish the Havdalah candle, it does not carry the same symbolic significance as wine.
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Frequently asked questions
The Havdalah candle is traditionally extinguished by pouring leftover wine into a small dish and then dipping the candle wick into it. This is done as a sign that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah.
Putting out the Havdalah candle in wine is a symbolic gesture. The spilling of wine is considered a "sign of blessing" and filling the cup so that it overflows symbolises starting the week with blessings.
According to Kabbalistic tradition, it is improper to make use of the names of holy angels. Blowing out the candle with force produces a sound that is similar to the name of an angel. Therefore, people extinguish the candle by hand to avoid pronouncing the name of this angel.
The leftover wine can be used in any way you like. Some people dip a finger into the wine and touch their eyes or pockets with it. As the wine was used for a mitzvah, it is considered a "segulah", or good omen.
