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"Havdalah" means "differentiation." Havdalah is the ceremony in which we contemplate the distinctions we make between the "special" day and the "common" day, between Shabbat and the rest of the days of the week. Coming at dusk, it is a time to close Shabbat and think about making a fresh start in the week to come. It is a time when we also think about trying to make a difference in this world. Havdalah for some of us is a time to think about what we are feeling connected with and what are we feeling separated from. We are all unique, all distinct from one another, and yet in certain ways we are connected. We try to celebrate our connections and accept our differences. Thinking like this brings to mind present-day issues like separation between opposing factions, Israel and Arab nations, religious and secular. We may celebrate Havdalah with songs and poetry, sharing a glass of wine together, the lighting of the special entwined candle with many wicks, and the smelling of sweet spices to remind of of whatever we did to make Shabbat a special and different day. Here are two Havdalah ceremonies that we enjoy.
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