Havdalah: the text, the transliteration and how the end of Shabbat unfolds
In short
Havdalah "separates" the holy from the ordinary: it is the ceremony that closes Shabbat, on Saturday night at nightfall. Four blessings are said, in a set order (the wine, the spices, the flame, then the separation), over a cup of wine, a spice box and a braided candle. Below you will find the full text in Hebrew, its transliteration and its translation.
The order of the four blessings
The order is remembered by the initials YaBNeH: Yayin (the wine), Besamim (the spices), Ner (the flame), Havdalah (the separation).
| Order | Blessing | Over what |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The wine | A cup of wine |
| 2 | The spices | A spice box (besamim) |
| 3 | The flame | A braided candle (several wicks) |
| 4 | The separation | Closes the ceremony |
How it is done, in practice
- The four blessings are said in the order above, without interruption.
- At the blessing over the flame, the custom is to look at your fingernails in its light.
- Between the end of Shabbat and Havdalah, one neither eats nor drinks (water is allowed).
- Something urgent to do before the cup? First one says baruch hamavdil bein kodesh lechol.
Customs and particular cases are settled with your rav.
The text of the four blessings
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Baruch ata Hashem, Eloke-nu melech haolam, borei peri hagafen
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים
Baruch ata Hashem, Eloke-nu melech haolam, borei minei vesamim
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who creates kinds of fragrant spices
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ
Baruch ata Hashem, Eloke-nu melech haolam, borei me'orei ha'esh
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who creates the lights of the fire
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ 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
Baruch ata Hashem, Eloke-nu melech haolam, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol, bein or lechoshech, bein Yisrael la'amim, bein yom hashevi'i lesheshet yemei hama'aseh. Baruch ata Hashem, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who separates the holy from the ordinary, light from darkness, Israel from the nations, the seventh day from the six days of labor. Blessed are You, Hashem, who separates the holy from the ordinary
Why the spices
At the end of Shabbat, the extra soul received for the day withdraws: the spices of Havdalah console that departure, like a comfort. It is also what sets Havdalah apart from an ordinary Kiddush: it marks a passage, not simply an entrance.
Frequently asked questions
At what time is Havdalah said? At nightfall on Saturday, when three stars are visible; the exact time is on your community's calendar.
What if I have no braided candle? The braided candle is the custom (several wicks joined together, "the lights of the fire" in the plural). On what may take its place, ask your rav.
Can Havdalah be said later in the week? There are rules for someone who has missed the time. Do not settle it on your own: put the question to your rav.
Step 1 / 5
Put the four blessings of Havdalah back in order (YaBNeH)
0/4 placed
- 1To fill in
- 2To fill in
- 3To fill in
- 4To fill in
The Shabbat guide · The Shabbat Kiddush · What to do with your time
Sources: Talmud Pesachim 103-104; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 296, 297, 298. Hebrew verified; the transliteration and translation are Mazaaal's own. This guide orients, it never replaces your rav's ruling.
