Header HAVDALAH SERVICE

 

Song: Behold, G-d Is My Salvation

Behold, G-d is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for G-d, the L-rd, 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 the L-rd; your blessing be upon your 'people.
The L-rd of hosts is with us; the G-d of Jacob is our refuge.
In the past 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 the L-rd.

 The Heart of the Havdalah service is its four blessings.

 1. Baruch ata Adonai Elokainu melech ha'olam bori pri hagafen. (she-hakol nee-yeh bidvaro)

 Blessed are you, 0 Lord our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

The spice box is taken and the following is said:

2. Baruch ata Adonai Elokainu melech ha'olam borai minai b'samim.

  Blessed are you, 0 L-rd our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who creates various kinds of spices.

 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. Baruch ata Adonai Elokainu melech ha-olam m'orai ha-esh.

  Blessed are you, 0 L-rd our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who creates the light of fire.

 

Finally, the fourth blessing over divine acts of separation, and of distinguishing one thing from another. The Havdalah leader holds the cup as he recites this blessing:

 4. Baruch ata Adonai Elokainu melech ha'olam, hamavidil bayn kodes l'chol, bayn or l'choshech, bayn Yisrael l'amim, bayn yorm hashvi-I leshaishet y'may hamaaseh. Baruch ata adonai, ha-mavdil bayn kodesh l'chol.

  Blessed are you, 0 L-rd 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, 0 Lord, who distinguishes between holy and profane.

 

After all the blessings are completed the leader drinks the wine and the light is extinguished either by blowing it out or a little wine is poured into a saucer and the candle is dipped into it

 

 

 

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