A Guide to the Havdalah Ceremony

A step-by-step printable booklet on how to do Havdalah at home, including all the blessings and the type of candle and spices you need.

Havdalah—the Hebrew word for “separation”—is a ceremony that marks the end of the sacred time of Shabbat and ushers in the new week.

When darkness has fallen on Saturday night and three stars are in the sky, we conduct the multi-sensory Havdalah ceremony, singing blessings and using wine, fragrant spices (besamim), like cloves or cinnamon, and a special multi-wick Havdalah candle (or two candles held together) to mark this transition.

This easy guide on how to celebrate Havdalah includes the blessings and details about the ritual items you need to conclude Shabbat and welcome a new week.