Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 259:12-260:5

A Flame Carried Through Time: The Radiant Havdalah of Sephardi & Mizrahi Traditions

Hook

Imagine the lingering scent of myrtle and sweet wine, the warm glow of a flickering flame reflecting in polished fingernails, and a melody, ancient yet vibrant, carrying the sweetness of Shabbat into the promise of the week ahead – this is the soul-stirring transition of Havdalah, a moment imbued with unique resonance in Sephardi and Mizrahi homes.

Context

Place

Our journey spans a breathtaking mosaic of Jewish life, reaching from the sun-drenched courtyards of Marrakech and the bustling souks of Aleppo, across the historic lanes of Salonica, through the desert oases of Yemen, and further east to the ancient Jewish quarters of Baghdad and Bukhara. These aren't just geographical points; they are crucibles where Jewish practice intertwined with local cultures, forging distinct, yet interconnected, expressions of faith. From the Iberian Peninsula (Sepharad) to the lands of the East (Mizrahi), a rich tapestry of Jewish heritage unfurled, marked by shared halakhic foundations but vibrant local adaptations. Each community, whether in Cairo, Istanbul, or Isfahan, contributed its unique thread to the grand design of Sephardi and Mizrahi Judaism, making the observance of mitzvot like Havdalah a truly global symphony.

Era

This tradition is a continuous river flowing through over a millennium of Jewish history. It echoes the intellectual brilliance of the Geonim in Babylonia, the philosophical depth of the Golden Age of Spain, and the resilience forged in the aftermath of the 1492 expulsion. It thrived in the flourishing communities of the Ottoman Empire, the enduring Jewish presence in Persia, and the ancient lineages of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. From medieval academies to modern-day synagogues, these traditions have been meticulously preserved and dynamically adapted, ensuring that the light of Torah remained bright through empires and epochs. The halakhic discussions we explore today are not dusty relics, but living guides that have shaped practice across centuries, reflecting a remarkable continuity despite vast geographical and temporal distances.

Community

We speak not of a monolithic entity, but of a family of diverse Jewish communities—Moroccan, Syrian, Iraqi, Yemenite, Persian, Bukharian, Turkish, Greek, and many more. While each possesses its own distinct culinary traditions, linguistic nuances (Judaeo-Arabic, Ladino, Judaeo-Persian), and liturgical melodies (nusach), they are united by a common halakhic framework. This framework is often rooted in the rulings of the Rishonim from Spain and Provence, and codified by giants like the Rambam and, crucially, by Rav Yosef Caro in his Shulchan Arukh, which became the bedrock for much of Sephardic and Mizrahi halakha. Their shared spiritual DNA is expressed through a profound reverence for Torah, a love of piyutim (liturgical poems), and a deep commitment to minhagim (customs) that enrich Jewish life, transforming the abstract into the deeply felt and lived experience.

Text Snapshot

Let us turn our attention to the Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 259:12-260:5, a foundational text that meticulously details the laws of Havdalah. Written by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein in 19th-century Belarus, it provides a comprehensive overview of halakha, often incorporating Sephardic perspectives and the rulings of the Shulchan Arukh. Here, we find the practical essence of this sacred transition:

"אף על פי שאחר כך אירע לו שנכבה הנר, מברך על הנר קודם שיכבה... וסדר ברכות ההבדלה היא יקנה"ז..."

"Even if it happens afterwards that the candle is extinguished, one recites the blessing over the candle before it goes out... And the order of the Havdalah blessings is YaKNeHaZ (Wine, Spices, Candle, Havdalah)..."

"וכל משקה שיש בו שיכרות ומרווה, מברכין עליו בורא פרי הגפן... ואם אין לו יין, מברכין על חמרא דמדינה..."

"And for any intoxicating and satisfying drink, one recites 'Borei Pri HaGafen'... and if one does not have wine, one recites the blessing over chamra d'medina (the drink of the land)..."

This passage anchors our understanding of Havdalah, clarifying the sequence of blessings, the role of the candle's light, and the flexibility regarding the Havdalah beverage—details that have been interpreted and embellished through the rich tapestry of Sephardic and Mizrahi minhagim.

Minhag/Melody

The Candle's Reflection: A Sign of Blessing and Renewal

The Arukh HaShulchan explicitly discusses the beracha (blessing) over the Havdalah candle, emphasizing the importance of its light. For many Sephardic and Mizrahi communities, this flickering flame is not merely a source of light for a blessing, but a conduit for profound spiritual meaning and a harbinger of blessing for the coming week. One of the most cherished and widespread minhagim (customs) connected to the Havdalah candle involves looking at one's fingernails in its light. This is not a casual glance, but a deliberate act steeped in layers of symbolism.

As the beracha of "Borei Me'orei HaEsh" (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who creates the illuminations of fire) is recited, congregants and family members—especially children—will hold up their hands, often with palms facing up and fingers slightly splayed, allowing the Havdalah flame to reflect upon their fingernails. The light glinting off the nails, sometimes enhanced by the subtle shadows created, is seen as a siman shel beracha—a sign of blessing.

This custom carries multiple interpretations. Some connect it to the idea of parnassah (livelihood) and growth, as fingernails are a constantly growing part of the body, symbolizing the hope for increasing blessings and prosperity in the new week. Others link it to the creation of light on the first day of creation, reminding us of God's initial act of bringing light into the world, and by extension, bringing light and clarity into our endeavors for the coming days. The Rema (Rav Moshe Isserles), a prominent Ashkenazi authority, also mentions this custom, but its emphasis and specific performance are often deeply felt and visually distinctive in Sephardic and Mizrahi contexts.

In communities like those from Morocco, Syria, and Iraq, this moment is often accompanied by a quiet prayer or intention for a blessed and successful week. The act itself is a moment of connection, a silent plea for divine favor as the sacred calm of Shabbat yields to the mundane rhythm of the week.

Beyond the visual, the sensory experience of Havdalah is deeply woven with melody. While not explicitly mentioned in the Arukh HaShulchan, the piyut (liturgical poem) "Eliyahu HaNavi" is almost universally sung after Havdalah across Sephardic and Mizrahi communities. The longing for Elijah the Prophet, who is believed to herald the coming of Mashiach, beautifully encapsulates the hope and anticipation that follows the departure of Shabbat. The melodies for "Eliyahu HaNavi" are incredibly diverse, reflecting the musical traditions of each locale. In Moroccan tradition, it might be sung with a slow, soulful maqam, while in Syrian communities, it could be more uplifting and rhythmic. These melodies, passed down through generations, transform the halakhic framework into a vibrant, communal experience, imbuing the simple act of Havdalah with profound spiritual depth and cultural identity. The sweet, hopeful strains of "Eliyahu HaNavi" are an auditory bridge, ensuring that the spiritual uplift of Shabbat resonates long into the new week, accompanied by the visual blessing of the candle's reflected light.

Contrast

Havdalah Candles: Braided vs. Single Flame and the Act of Extinguishing

While the Arukh HaShulchan discusses the requirement for a candle with "light that gives light" for the Havdalah blessing (259:15), the precise form of this candle, and the custom for extinguishing it, often varies between Sephardic/Mizrahi and Ashkenazi traditions, demonstrating respectful differences in practice.

In many Ashkenazi communities, the custom is to use a distinctively braided Havdalah candle, often with multiple wicks intertwined, emphasizing the idea of "illuminations of fire" (מאורי האש). This braided candle is then typically extinguished by dipping its flame into the small pool of wine collected in the Havdalah saucer, which is often done to symbolize bringing the light of Shabbat into the everyday and to prevent waste.

Conversely, in numerous Sephardic and Mizrahi traditions, a single, large, robust candle is often preferred for Havdalah. This candle provides a strong, clear flame, fulfilling the halakhic requirement without the need for braiding. The act of extinguishing the candle also frequently differs. Instead of dipping the candle into the wine, it is common in many Sephardic households to pour a small amount of the leftover Havdalah wine over the flame, extinguishing it in a more symbolic and often elegant gesture. This wine is sometimes poured into a bowl or onto the ground (or into a sink), with the understanding that the blessed wine and the flame should not be desecrated. This practice is also sometimes linked to segulot (auspicious practices) for blessing and prosperity, as the wine that extinguishes the flame is then sometimes dabbed on the eyelids or behind the ears as a sign of blessing, particularly for good eyesight or a good week. Both customs, whether using a braided candle or a single flame, and their respective methods of extinguishing, are deeply meaningful and rooted in valid halakhic interpretations and cherished communal practices, each adding its unique texture to the beautiful tapestry of Jewish observance.

Home Practice

To bring a piece of this rich tradition into your own home, you can adopt a simple yet profound Sephardic/Mizrahi custom during Havdalah: As you recite the blessing "Borei Me'orei HaEsh" over the Havdalah candle, take a moment to hold up your hands, palms slightly open, and observe the light of the candle reflecting on your fingernails. Allow yourself to pause and reflect. As the light dances on your hands, inwardly articulate a personal hope or blessing for the coming week. It could be for good health, success in an endeavor, peace, or simply for spiritual clarity. This simple act transforms the physical light into a spiritual intention, connecting you to generations of tradition that saw the Havdalah flame as a powerful symbol of renewal, growth, and divine blessing for the days ahead.

Takeaway

The Havdalah of Sephardi and Mizrahi traditions is a testament to the enduring vibrancy and adaptability of Jewish life. Far from being static, it is a dynamic, textured experience where halakha, poetry, melody, and deeply cherished customs converge to create a powerful spiritual bridge from Shabbat to the new week. It reminds us that sacred moments are not just rituals, but opportunities for profound personal and communal connection, imbued with unique flavors and sounds that celebrate the global tapestry of Jewish heritage. Each flickering Havdalah flame, each shared melody, and each nuanced custom carries the proud legacy of communities who, across vast distances and centuries, kept the light of Torah shining brightly, enriching the Jewish world with their distinctive radiance.