Ending Shabbat: Havdalah

Home » Shabbat » Ending Shabbat: Havdalah

Shabbat ends when three stars are visible in the evening sky. Havdalah means, literally, separation. It is the ritual that distinguishes between the sacred time of Shabbat and the ordinary time of the rest of the week. Incorporating candles, wine, and spices, havdalah appeals to our senses as we leave the pleasure of Shabbat behind. Many people also use the time occurrence or symbols of havdalah as a basis for other rituals, building on its themes of separation, distinction, and new beginnings.

Latest Rituals

“Our hands open / to receive common bread— / sustaining, nourishing— / as together we walk into widening light.”
A beautiful new addition to Eliyahu HaNavi
Rabbi Jill Hausman shares a contemporary havdalah ceremony.

Custom based on the mystical belief that the restorative waters of Miriam’s Well flow through all wells and natural springs on Saturday night

“We reach out to hold You close a bit longer.”

 

“Blessed are You who distinguishes between life and death”

Havdalah ceremony from Minneapolis honoring the memory of George Floyd

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.

The Reconstructionist Network