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Just as we observe the mitzva of marking Shabbat’s sanctity as it begins by reciting Kiddush over a cup of wine, so too there is a mitzva to mark Shabbat’s sanctity as it ends, by reciting Havdala over a cup of wine. The text of Havdala verbalizes the difference between the holy Shabbat and the mundane weekdays. To ensure people do not forget to make Havdala, the Sages prohibited eating, drinking, and doing melakha on Saturday night before Havdala. Someone who wishes to do melakha before Havdala should first recite: “Blessed is the One Who distinguishes between sacred and mundane.” However, one may not eat and drink until reciting (or listening to someone recite) the full text of Havdala over a cup of wine.
Some stand for Havdala, while others sit. It is customary to begin with a series of positive verses which serve as a good omen and start the week off on a positive note. This is followed by four blessings: Ha-gefen over the wine, Borei Minei Besamim (“Who creates types of fragrance”) over something fragrant, Borei Me’orei Ha-esh (“Who creates the lights of fire”) over a braided candle, and finally Ha-mavdil (“Who distinguishes between sacred and mundane”).
Ideally, wine is used for Havdala. However, one may use ĥamar medina (literally, “wine of the country”), any important alcoholic beverage which people in a particular locale commonly drink. Nowadays this includes beer, vodka, whiskey, and arak. If no alcoholic beverage is available, one may use coffee. Whoever recites Havdala should drink most of the beverage in the cup, which should hold at least 2.5 ounces. The listeners should wait quietly until the person reciting Havdala has finished drinking.
We smell something fragrant (commonly cloves) as part of Havdala, because our spirits are despondent after Shabbat, due to the departure of our expanded soul. To revive them, we smell something fragrant, as the Sages tell us this brings joy to the soul. Smelling the fragrance is required of everyone listening to Havdala; therefore, the person reciting it should wait until all the listeners do so, and only then continue. Someone unable to smell does not recite this blessing.
We use a candle to commemorate God’s granting Adam the insight to strike two stones together to produce fire after the very first Shabbat. Ideally, the blessing is recited over a braided candle with a few wicks that provides ample light. All the listeners need to see the candlelight, and it should be bright enough to provide enough light to distinguish between different coins, or between fingers and fingernails.
