Background
Transitions are often very difficult in life. It is probably for this reason that I have always loved the ritual of HavdalahLit. Separation A ceremony performed on Saturday night to mark the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the week, using wine, a braided candle, and sweet-smelling spices., which I experience as acknowledging the abrupt transition from the rhythm of ShabbatShabbat is the Sabbath day, the Day of Rest, and is observed from Friday night through Saturday night. Is set aside from the rest of the week both in honor of the fact that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. On Shabbat, many Jews observe prohibitions from various activities designated as work. Shabbat is traditionally observed with festive meals, wine, challah, prayers, the reading and studying of Torah, conjugal relations, family time, and time with friends. to the uncertainty of the coming week. When I got divorced, I used Havdalah as inspiration for creating my own ritual after taking the GetA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian.. I wanted to acknowledge this difficult time in my life with loving friends. Inspired by Rabbi Naomi Levy’s book Talking to God, I composed a booklet of blessings, songs and readings that bring me comfort. Though it was not a Saturday night, I invited close friends to join me. First, we ate. Then we sang the first paragraph of Havdalah together. We passed wine and spices around with blessings, hoping for a joyful, sweet and renewed year ahead. Since this ceremony came just before Rosh HashanahThe Jewish New Year, also considered the Day of Judgment. The period of the High Holidays is a time of introspection and atonement. The holiday is celebrated with the sounding of the shofar, lengthy prayers in synagogue, the eating of apples and honey, and round challah for a sweet and whole year. Tashlikh, casting bread on the water to symbolize the washing away of sins, also takes place on Rosh Hashana., the themes of reflection and renewal in the readings were timely and relevant. Instead of moving from light to darkness with a candle, I offered my own blessing of separation: “…Please guide me in transitioning between darkness and light; between pain, anguish, anxiety to comfort, peace, hope and love.” This ritual provided a language for me to reflect on the painful time and hope for strength in the uncertainty ahead. I learned many are often uncertain how to respond to divorce, as it is both very private and public. This gave my friends access to comfort and support me. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this with others in need.
Prayers and blessings
הִנֵּה אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי, אֶבְטַח וְלֹא אֶפְחָד,כִי עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ ה’, וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה:
וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה:
לה’הַיְשׁוּעָה עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָה:
ה’צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶלָה:
ה’צְבָאוֹת אַשְרֵי אָדָם בֹּטֵחַ בָּךְ:
ה’הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ:
לַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשׂוֹן וִיקָר: כֵּן תִּהְיֶה לָּנוּ.
כּוֹס יְשׁוּעוֹת אֶשָּׂא. וּבְשֵׁם ה’אֶקְרָא:
Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. For God is my strength and my song and God has become (will be) my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Rescue belongs to God; May Your blessing be upon Your people. The Lord of armies is with us, a fortress for us, Jacob’s God. O Lord of armies, happy the man who trusts in You. God, save us! May the king answer us on the day we call. For the Jews there was light, happiness, joy and honor—so be it for us! I will lift the cup of salvation and call in the name of God.
Wine: God, may you please bring us times of joy, happiness… (A blessing for wine.)
Spices. May our year be filled with sweetness. Let this smell of comfort fill my spirit with comfort, renewal and hope. (A blessing for spices.)
From darkness to light: A blessing for separation: God, who separates Kodesh and Chol – the holy and the mundane – – please guide me in transitioning between darkness and light, between pain, anguish, anxiety to comfort, peace, hope and love.
Songs to include in the ritual
שחר אבקשך: שלמה אבן גבירול
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שחר אבקשך צורי ומשגבי
מה-זה אשר יוכל הלב והלשון |
At dawn I seek You, my Rock, my Shelter;
What is there that the heart [mind] and tongue [mouth] |
מי יתנני עוף: דוד שמעוני
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Who will give me wings? |
מי יתנני עוף |
Psalms 30:9, 11
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Unto Thee, O LORD, did I call, and unto the LORD I made supplication Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto me; LORD, be Thou my helper |
:אֶתְחַנָּן אֲדֹנָי וְאֶל אֶקְרָא יְהוָה אֵלֶיךָ לִי עֹזֵר הֱיֵה יְהוָה וְחָנֵּנִי יְהוָה שְׁמַע
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Psalm 23
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Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me |
עִמָּדִי אַתָּה יכִּ רָע אִירָא לֹא צַלְמָוֶת בְּגֵיא אֵלֵךְ כִּי גַּם
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Readings that can be included in ritual
Exodus 15:2
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The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become (He will become) my salvation
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לִישׁוּעָה לִי וַיְהִי יָהּ וְזִמְרָת עָזִּי
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Psalms 116:16
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I beseech Thee, O LORD, for I am Thy servant; |
עַבְדֶּךָ אֲנִי כִּי יְהוָה אָנָּה לְמוֹסֵרָי פִּתַּחְתָּ אֲמָתֶךָ בֶּן עַבְדְּךָ אֲנִי |
Isaiah 56:7
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Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices |
והביאותים אל הר קודשי ושמחתי בבית תפילתי עולותיהם וזבחיהם לרצון על מזבחי כי ביתי בית תפילה יקרא לכל העמים |
KedushaLit. Holiness
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From Your place, our King, You will appear |
ממקומך מלכנו תופיע ותמלוך עלינו כי מחכים אנחנו לך מתי תמלוך בציון בקרוב בימנו לעולם ועד תשכון. תתגדל ותתקדש בתוך ירושלים עירך לדור ודור (לדור ודור) ולנצח נצחים ועינינו תראינה (תראינה) מלכותך כדבר האמור בשירי עוזך על ידי דוד משיח צדקך |
Psalm 23
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A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד ה’ רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר |
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He make sme to lie down in green pastures; He leadsme beside the still waters. |
בִּנְאוֹת דֶּשֶׁא יַרְבִּיצֵנִי עַל מֵי מְנֻחוֹת יְנַהֲלֵנִי |
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He restores my soul; He guidesme in straight paths for His name’s sake. |
נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי צֶדֶק לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ |
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; |
גַּם כִּי אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת לֹא אִירָא רָע כִּי אַתָּה עִמָּדִי |
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Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. |
שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ הֵמָּה יְנַחֲמֻנִי |
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Prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; |
תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי |
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Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runsover. |
דִּשַּׁנְתָּ בַשֶּׁמֶן רֹאשִׁי כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה |
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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; |
אַךְ טוֹב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְּפוּנִי כָּל יְמֵי חַיָּי |
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And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. |
וְשַׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית ה’ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים |
Prayer upon Separating
Creator of the universe, who witnesses the transformation of life, guide me during this moment of release from my marriage. Please help me to learn from the past so that I may grow now and in the future. I seek comfort from You during this time, saddened by what could not be. May I be granted the strength to seek a new life based on love, joy, trust and peace. May God, who brings peace to the universe, bring peace to us and to all the people of IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel..
Excerpt from Psalm 51
Create for me a clean heart, God;
And renew a spirit inside me.
Cast me not away from Your presence;
And do not take Your holy spirit from me
Restore to me the joy of your saving presence.
