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Havdallah Blessings

Blessings over the wine, spices, candle, and separation between the commonplace and the holy.

Lift the cup of wine of grape juice, and recite the blessing:

Borei pri hagafen
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Hold up the spice box, and recite the blessing:

borei minei vsamim
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam borei minei v'samim.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of all spices.


Circulate the spice box so that all can inhale its fragrance.

Lift the Havdalah candle, and recite the blessing:

borei morei haeish
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei m'orei ha-eish.


We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of fire.

Some follow the custom of looking at the reflection of the light on fingernails and the shadows created by the light.

Hold the Havdalah candle, and recite the blessing:

hamavdil bein kodesh lchol
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam,
hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol, bein or l'choshech,
bein Yisrael laamim,
bein yom hash-vi-i l'sheishet y'mei hamaaseh.
Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe: You distinguish the commonplace from the holy; You create light and darkness, Israel and the nations, the seventh day of rest and the six days of labor. We praise You, O God: You call us to distinguish the commonplace from the holy.


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