Atta Chonantanu

Atta Chonantanu functions as a Havdalah in Davening, however, most details of Havdalah over a cup of wine are described on the Havdalah page.

Basics

1. On Saturday night (Motzei Shabbat) in the fourth Bracha of Shemoneh Esrei (of Arvit) one should add in the paragraph of Atta Chonantanu which serves partially as Havdalah.
2. On Motzei Yom Tov (night of the conclusion of Yom Tov) one should say Atta Chonantanu in Shemoneh Esrei of Arvit/Mariv even if the Yom Tov is following by Chol HaMoed.

If one forgot Atta Chonantanu

1. If one forgot to say Havdalah in Shemoneh Esrei (Atta Chonantanu in Atta Chonen, the fourth Bracha) once one finished the Bracha even if one didn’t begin the next Bracha one shouldn’t go back to say Atta Chonantanu.
2. If one forgot Atta Chonantanu and finished Shemoneh Esrei one doesn’t have to repeat Shemoneh Esrei, however, if one wanted to be strict on oneself one may repeat it. However, one not be strict upon oneself after having finished the Bracha to go back to the Bracha in order to add Atta Chonantanu.

Cases one has to go back and say Atta Chonantanu

1. If one forgot Atta Chonantanu and then mistakenly ate before making Havdalah one must repeat Shemoneh Esrei with Atta Chonantanu.
2. If one forgot Atta Chonantanu and one knows (thinks) that he will not be able to make Havdalah neither Saturday night nor Sunday then one should repeat Shemoneh Esrei to add in Atta Chonantanu.

VeTodienu

1. When Yom Tov falls out on Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night) one is supposed to say VeTodienu in the Arvit/Mariv Shemoneh Esrei.
2. If one forgot to say VeTodienu one doesn’t have to repeat the Bracha or Shemoneh Esrei like Atta Chonantanu. However, if one ate before making Kiddish one has to repeat Shemoneh Esrei (like Atta Chonantanu).