Arukh HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 268:17-270:1

Hook

As the aroma of fragrant spices fills the air and the first stars emerge, we taste the bittersweet farewell to Shabbat, illuminated by the crescent moon.

Context

Place

Across the lands of the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

Era

From the Talmudic era to the vibrant flourishing of Jewish legal and mystical traditions in the Geonic and Rishonic periods, up to the modern day.

Community

Diverse Sephardi and Mizrahi communities, each imbuing universal Jewish practices with their unique melodies and customs, drawing from foundational texts like the Shulchan Arukh and its commentaries.

Text Snapshot

The Arukh HaShulchan, though an Ashkenazi work, masterfully codifies the universal laws that underpin these beautiful moments of transition: "And it is a mitzvah to perform Havdalah over wine... And the blessing over fire is 'Blessed are You... Who creates the luminaries of fire.' And one should look at the fingernails [in its light]... And for the spices, one recites 'Blessed are You... Who creates various kinds of spices.' These blessings mark the sacred transition from Shabbat to the week." (Adapted from Orach Chaim 269:1, 269:13, 269:16)

Minhag/Melody

In many Sephardi homes, fragrant hadas (myrtle branches) are used for the besamim (spices) during Havdalah, often passed from hand to hand, their scent a potent reminder of the soul's delight. For Kiddush Levana (Sanctification of the Moon), Moroccan and Syrian Jews often joyfully greet the moon with the thrice-repeated declaration of "David Melech Yisrael Chai V'Kayam!"

Contrast

While Ashkenazi communities typically use a multi-wick braided candle for the Havdalah fire, many Sephardi communities, like those from Morocco or Yemen, traditionally use a single candle, sometimes even dipping it into the Havdalah wine to extinguish it—a practice with rich Kabbalistic meaning.

Home Practice

As Shabbat gently recedes, take a moment to truly inhale the aroma of your Havdalah spices, allowing the fragrance to linger and connect your soul to the spiritual essence of the departing day.

Takeaway

These ancient practices of Havdalah and Kiddush Levana, woven into the rich fabric of Sephardi and Mizrahi life, remind us to mark time with intention, to embrace sacred transitions, and to find holiness in the sensory world around us.