Havdalah — The Ceremony of Separation

The Order of Havdalah

 

— Ashkenazic Rite —

 

Take the cup in hand and say:

 

Behold, God is my salvation — I will trust and will not fear.

For my strength and song is Adonai, and He has become my salvation.

You will draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.

Salvation belongs to Adonai; upon Your people is Your blessing, Selah.

Adonai of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold, Selah.

Adonai of Hosts — blessed is the person who trusts in You.

Adonai, save us; may the King answer us on the day we call.

For the Jews there was light and joy and gladness and honor —

So may it be for us.

I will lift the cup of salvation and call upon the name of Adonai.

 

With your permission, my masters and teachers.

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

 

[Take the spices in the right hand and recite:]

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the various kinds of spices.

 

[Recite the blessing over the candle:]

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the lights of fire.

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe,

who distinguishes between sacred and ordinary,

between light and darkness,

between Israel and the nations,

between the seventh day and the six days of work.

Blessed are You, Adonai, who distinguishes between sacred and ordinary.

 

— Sephardic / Mizrachi Rite —

 

A herald to Zion — behold, here they are; and to Jerusalem I will give one who brings good news.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy — though I have fallen, I have risen;

though I sit in darkness, Adonai is a light to me.

For the Jews there was light and joy and gladness and honor.

And David prospered in all his ways, and Adonai was with him.

And Noah found favor in the eyes of Adonai —

so may we find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of Adonai has shone upon you.

For behold, darkness covers the earth and thick cloud the peoples,

but upon you Adonai will shine, and His glory will be seen over you.

 

[Take the cup in hand and say:]

 

I will lift the cup of salvation and call upon the name of Adonai.

Please, Adonai, save us now. Please, Adonai, save us now.

Please, Adonai, grant us success now. Please, Adonai, grant us success now.

Grant us success; make our paths successful; make our learning successful;

send blessing, relief, and prosperity upon all the work of our hands,

as it is written: He will receive blessing from Adonai, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

For the Jews there was light and joy and gladness and honor.

And it is written: David prospered in all his ways, and Adonai was with him —

so may He be with us always.

 

With your permission, my masters. [Response:] To life!

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

 

[On a festival that does not follow Shabbat, the blessings over spices and fire are omitted.]

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the trees of (the grasses of) (the various kinds of) spices.

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the lights of fire.

 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe,

who distinguishes between sacred and ordinary,

between light and darkness,

between Israel and the nations,

between the seventh day and the six days of work.

Blessed are You, Adonai, who distinguishes between sacred and ordinary.