The Beginner's Guide: What is the Farewell Ceremony Held Every Saturday Night?

Not everyone experiences the mood drop on Saturday night, but many are familiar with this feeling. After a long week, Shabbat arrived, bringing with it a breath of fresh air. Without work, errands or tasks on our minds and without the never-ending daily chores, we spent an entire day disconnected for the daily grind, dedicated to family, Torah study, peace and holiness. And suddenly, in one moment, we part from this oasis, and return to the routine.

This drop is not just a psychological-emotional state, but a real spiritual shift that the soul experiences. Every Jew who is fortunate enough to observe Shabbat receives an additional soul on Shabbat, known as the 'additional soul', which is a high spiritual part that joins their soul. The sages explain that the additional soul has many effects on a person, including spiritual elevation, added wisdom, joy, and it is said in the holy Zohar that it provides protection against evil spirits and accusers. When Shabbat ends, the additional soul departs, and the soul senses the spiritual decline and grieves because of it.

In Havdalah, we bless Hashem for the gift of Shabbat that He has granted us, and we mention the greatness and holiness of Shabbat in our farewell from it. Just as we are commanded to mention the holiness of Shabbat upon its entry through Kiddush, we are also commanded to mention the greatness of Shabbat and its distinction from the rest of the week through Havdalah upon its departure.
This obligation is learned from the verse 'Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it' (Exodus 20:8), which implies that we should verbally mention the sanctity of Shabbat, and Maimonides explains 'It is a positive biblical commandment to sanctify the Sabbath day with words, as it is said 'Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it'. That is, remember it with a mention of praise and sanctification, and you need to remember it both at its entry and its exit. At its entry - with the Kiddush of the day, and at its exit - with Havdalah' (Laws of Shabbat, Chapter 29). In the Book of Education, the mitzvah of Havdalah is mentioned in the verse 'to sanctify Shabbat with words', and its wording is: 'To speak words on the Sabbath day upon its entry and its exit, which mention the greatness of the day and its superiority and its distinction for praise from other days'.

Why Do We Recite These Four Blessings in Havdalah?

In Havdalah, four blessings are recited:
A. The blessing of 'Creator of the fruit of the vine' – anything said over a cup of wine is considered of importance, and therefore, the sages instituted saying Havdalah over a cup of wine.
B. The blessing of spices – the spices smelled during Havdalah provide comfort to the soul, as fragrance is a spiritual pleasure and thus alleviates the soul's sorrow.
C. The blessing of 'Creator of the lights of fire' – this is a blessing of enjoyment, intended to thank Hashem for granting us the fire, the source of light and heat. On the first Saturday night of creation, Hashem revealed fire to Adam, and therefore we bless the light of the fire during this creation.
D. The blessing of separation – the fourth blessing is the main blessing, in which we thank Hashem for separating us, the Jewish people, from the rest of the nations, and for granting us Shabbat, a day of holiness distinct from the other days of the week. The words of this blessing speak for themselves: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, who separates between holy and secular, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of labor. Blessed are You, Hashem, who separates between holy and secular."

The Weekly Challenge

Equip yourself with a wine goblet, spices (aromatic plants or clove spices), a Havdalah candle with two wicks, and perform Havdalah on Saturday night.

Also read:

Illustrated Havdalah Text of the Sephardic Tradition, Including Basic Laws

The Havdalah Text