Hi,
For Havdalah, one may use a candle which was kindled before Shabbat started, but one may not use a candle which was kindled during Shabbat, unless it was kindled on Shabbat in a permitted circumstance, such as being lit as part of an effort to save a life.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Looking at one's fingers by the light of the Havdalah candle
Hi,
As part of the blessing recited over the Havdalah candle, we look at our fingers. This is a means of gaining practical benefit from the light, so that we can thank Gd for that light.
The popular practice is to look at one's fingernails and the palm of one's hand; there are various mystical reasons for choosing this particular benefit, but the simple reason is that one can use the light to see the part where the nails end and the skin begins.
Another reason which is offered is that the fingernails visibly grow, and we are asking Gd for growth. We ask for blessing to be given to the palm of our hand, meaning our work.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:3; Mishneh Berurah 298:9)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
As part of the blessing recited over the Havdalah candle, we look at our fingers. This is a means of gaining practical benefit from the light, so that we can thank Gd for that light.
The popular practice is to look at one's fingernails and the palm of one's hand; there are various mystical reasons for choosing this particular benefit, but the simple reason is that one can use the light to see the part where the nails end and the skin begins.
Another reason which is offered is that the fingernails visibly grow, and we are asking Gd for growth. We ask for blessing to be given to the palm of our hand, meaning our work.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:3; Mishneh Berurah 298:9)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Proximity to the Havdalah candle
Hi,
At Havdalah, one must benefit from the flame's light in order to be able to recite the blessing.
Our standard is that one must be close enough to the flame to be able to identify relatively fine details (difference between currencies, for example) by its light. This is even true when one fulfills his own Havdalah obligation by answering Amen to someone else's blessing - everyone must benefit from the light.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:4; Mishneh Berurah 298:13)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
At Havdalah, one must benefit from the flame's light in order to be able to recite the blessing.
Our standard is that one must be close enough to the flame to be able to identify relatively fine details (difference between currencies, for example) by its light. This is even true when one fulfills his own Havdalah obligation by answering Amen to someone else's blessing - everyone must benefit from the light.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:4; Mishneh Berurah 298:13)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A makeshift multi-wicked flame
Hi,
We have said that one should use a multi-wicked candle for Havdalah. What do you do if there is no multi-wicked candle available?
One solution is to use two normal candles, holding them side-by-side. The basic requirement is just that there be fuel (such as a candle's wax) surrounding each wick, so holding two individual candles together, such that their flames merge, does the job.
(Mishneh Berurah 298:8)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
We have said that one should use a multi-wicked candle for Havdalah. What do you do if there is no multi-wicked candle available?
One solution is to use two normal candles, holding them side-by-side. The basic requirement is just that there be fuel (such as a candle's wax) surrounding each wick, so holding two individual candles together, such that their flames merge, does the job.
(Mishneh Berurah 298:8)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Multi-Wicked Havdalah Candle
Hi,
We try to use a multi-wicked flame for Havdalah, for two reasons:
1. It has a greater light, and
2. The blessing we recite thanks Gd for the "illuminations" of light, plural, and so we use a flame with multiple sources.
(Talmud, Pesachim 103a; Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:2; Mishneh Berurah 298:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
We try to use a multi-wicked flame for Havdalah, for two reasons:
1. It has a greater light, and
2. The blessing we recite thanks Gd for the "illuminations" of light, plural, and so we use a flame with multiple sources.
(Talmud, Pesachim 103a; Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:2; Mishneh Berurah 298:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Candle-less Havdalah
Hi,
One who does not have a candle for the blessing over fire should perform the rest of Havdalah, and then recite the blessing over fire if a candle becomes available later that night.
Once Saturday night is over, though, it is too late to recite the blessing over the candle.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:1; Mishneh Berurah 298:3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
One who does not have a candle for the blessing over fire should perform the rest of Havdalah, and then recite the blessing over fire if a candle becomes available later that night.
Once Saturday night is over, though, it is too late to recite the blessing over the candle.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 298:1; Mishneh Berurah 298:3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Havdalah Candle
Hi,
There are two reasons we recite a blessing over a flame at Havdalah:
1. Per midrashic teachings, Gd gave Adam and Chavah fire immediately after the first Shabbat, and
2. All through Shabbat we were not permitted to use fire, and so we demonstrate that we are now permitted to use it.
(Mishneh Berurah 298:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
There are two reasons we recite a blessing over a flame at Havdalah:
1. Per midrashic teachings, Gd gave Adam and Chavah fire immediately after the first Shabbat, and
2. All through Shabbat we were not permitted to use fire, and so we demonstrate that we are now permitted to use it.
(Mishneh Berurah 298:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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