Havdalah

Havdalah (Hebrew: הַבְדָּלָה, lit. "separation") is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of the Sabbath and ushers in the new week. It is performed shortly after sunset on Saturday evenings, once three stars are visible in the sky. The Havdalah service includes a blessing over a cup of wine, spices (besamim), and a multi-wicked candle, each symbolizing different aspects of the transition from the holiness of the Sabbath to the mundane nature of the weekdays. The ceremony is rooted in Jewish law (Halakha) and tradition, and it serves to distinguish (hence the name) the sacred from the profane, the holy Sabbath from the ordinary days of the week. In Ladino, the ceremony is referred to as "Avdalá," and in Yiddish, it is known as "Havdole." The Havdalah service is also observed at the conclusion of Jewish festivals that are followed by weekdays, such as Passover and Sukkot.