Havdalah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath and ushers in the new week. The word “Havdalah” means “differentiation” in Hebrew, and the ceremony distinguishes the holiness of the Sabbath from the ordinary days of the week. Havdalah typically takes place at nightfall on Saturday. During the Havdalah ceremony, a particular set of blessings is recited over wine or grape juice, fragrant spices (often cloves or cinnamon), and a multi-wicked candle. The candle is lit, and the blessings are recited over each item. The wine represents joy, the spices symbolize the senses’ reviving after the Sabbath’s departure, and the candle represents the division between the sacred and the ordinary. 

Havdalah is a meaningful and symbolic ritual in Jewish tradition, often accompanied by the singing of traditional songs and prayers. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the transition from the sacred time of the Sabbath to the workweek.