Gratitude Havdala Ritual

Havdala is the Jewish ritual for ending Shabbat.

Havdala is the Jewish ritual for ending Shabbat. The Hebrew word Havdala means "separation” or “distinction”. The ritual takes place on Saturday
 night, when it is dark and three stars can be seen in the sky. It is a liminal rite that helps us move from one time to another while paying attention to the space in between. The magical themes of boundary and sensation are detectable in this ritual. We engage our physical senses- tasting wine, smelling spices or fresh herbs, seeing the light of the two-wicked candle. Tonight, we invite you to incorporate gratitude into the Havdala ritual. You will need a braided, multi-wicked candle (or two candles held together), a cup of wine, and some sweet smelling spices or herbs for this ritual. Begin by lighting the candle and pouring the cup of wine (or grape juice) and then raising up the glass, to recite the ritual… Below is the traditional text of Havdala (according to the Ashkenazi tradition), 
along with some gratitude questions and reflections.

Havdala Ceremony

Recite the opening verses: Behold, God is my savior, I will trust God and not be afraid, for my strong faith and song of praise for God will be my salvation. You will draw water joyously from the wellsprings of salvation.Salvation is God’s; may Your blessing rest upon Your people. God of the heavenly armies is with us; the Lord of Ya'akov is a fortress protecting us. God of the heavenly armies, happy is the individual who trusts You. God, redeem us! The King will answer us on the day we call God. The Jews had light, happiness, joy and honor; may we have the same. I will raise the cup of salvation and call out in the name of the God: 
Raise the cup of wine and bless: Blessed are you, Lord our God, creator of the fruit of the vine. 
Raise the spices, bless and smell the spices: Blessed are you, Lord our God, creator of different spices. 
Lift up the candle, bless and look at its light: Blessed are you, Lord our God, creator of the light of the fire. 
Recite the final distinction blessing: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six working days. Blessed are You, O Lord, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane.

טקס הבדלה

הִנֵּה אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי אֶבְטַח וְלֹא אֶפְחָד כִּי עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ ה’ וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם מַיִם בְּשָׂשׂוֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה לַה’ הַיְשׁוּעָה עַל עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָה ה’ צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶלָה ה’ צְבָאוֹת אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּוטֵחַ בָּךְ ה’ הוֹשִׁיעָה, הַמֶּלֶךְ יַעֲנֵנוּ בְיוֹם קָרְאֵנוּ. לַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשֹׂן וִיקָרּ כֵּן תִּהְיֶה לָנוּ. כּוֹס יְשׁוּעוֹת אֶשָּׂא וּבְשֵׁם ה’ אֶקְרָא בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל.