Shabbat Gathering: Havdalah happiness.

Dear Chevra, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 963 5113 1550
Password: 1989
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

CSS has a havdalah hangout havurah. About once a month, members gather in someone’s home to celebrate havdalah and schmooze. What’s havdalah? That’s what we’ll explore this week.

Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week. Because our days begin at sunset, Shabbat begins on Friday night and ends Saturday night. Specifically, havdalah is observed when three stars are visible Saturday night. Once those stars have been witnessed, then it’s time to begin the ceremony. (We usually aren't so strict about this.)

Wine, spice box, and candle.

The ceremonial objects most commonly associated with havdalah are a kiddush cup to hold wine or grape juice, a perforated box to hold aromatic spices, and a braided candle. These objects aren’t necessary to perform the ritual, but they are a “nice to have.” The objects are in keeping with the Jewish notion of hiddur mitzvah, making our rituals more beautiful.

We stand in a circle. We say an initial blessing. Then, we say a blessing over the wine that’s the same as the blessing we say on Friday nights. We don’t sip the wine quite yet. The spice box is passed around and everyone sniffs it. Then, the candle is held high and everyone gazes at it, admiring it. More blessings are said, the wine is sipped, and we put out the candle in the remainder of the wine. We wish each other Shavua Tov, have a great week.

What the symbols mean.

The wine (typically sweet, as it is at Shabbat) reminds us of the sweetness of Shabbat as does the spice in the spice box. The braided candle, with its extra bright flame, represents the first work of the week. We gaze upon the candle, holding up our fingers to see light and the shadow on them. The light and the darkness symbolize wisdom and confusion. Some say that the braided candle reminds us that there is one Jewish faith composed of many different individuals.

Havdalah is the perfect bookend to Shabbat. Just as Friday night blessings mark the separation between the profane and the holy, Havdalah moves us out of the sacred space of Shabbat and back into the world.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Gut Shabbes!

All my love,
brian.

PS

OPINION: Nonbinary genders would have been no surprise to ancient rabbis

“People across the political spectrum often assume religion must be inherently conservative and unchanging when it comes to sex and gender,” writes Sarah Imhoff. But that’s not necessarily true.

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