Havdalah

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Havdalah is the ceremony of separation between every Shabbat and weekday, Yom Tov and weekday, or Shabbat and Yom Tov. Havdalah is said after Shabbat and Yom Tov during Shemone Esrei of maariv within the bracha of ata chonen, and when on Yom Tov, within the bracha of ata vchartanu. It is recited another time over a cup of wine.

Obligation

  1. There's a dispute whether the obligation to recite havdalah is of biblical or rabbinic nature. The obligation to recite havdalah over wine is certainly rabbinic.[1]
  2. Even though one says havdalah during davening at maariv (ata chonantanu), one must still recite havdalah over a cup of wine.[2]

Havdalah for Yom Tov

  1. After Yom Tov, which is followed by a regular weekday or a day of Chol HaMoed, one should say Havdalah. However, if a Yom Tov is followed by a Shabbat, there is no Havdalah.[3]
  2. Havdalah at the end of Yom Tov only consists of the bracha of hamavdil, and there is no bracha of besamim or ner.[4]

When Motzei Shabbat is a Yom Tov

  1. If motzei shabbat is yom tov, one may use the Yom Tov candles for havdalah.[5]
  2. It is preferable not to hold the two candles together.[6]

Who is Obligated?

Women

  1. There is a dispute as to whether women are obligated in havdalah.[7]
    1. According to Sephardim women may make havdalah for themselves.[8]
    2. Some Ashkenazim say that women should not recite havadalah for themselves, while others say that they may.[9] Many say that preferably a woman should hear havdalah from a man to avoid questions of bracha l'vatala, but if she cannot find someone from whom to hear havdalah, then she should recite it for herself.[10]
      1. When a women makes a havdala, she should certainly recite the brachot of hagefen and besamim.[11]
      2. Most say that a woman can even recite the beracha on the fire.[12] Others disagree.[13]

Children

  1. Once a child has reached the age of Chinuch (5 or 6), the parents should train him in hearing havdalah.[14]

Havdalah in Davening

  1. See the Atta Chonantanu page.
  2. If Motzei Shabbat is a Yom Tov, in middle of Atta Bechartanu, one should insert VeTodiyanu in place of Atta Chonantanu.[15]

Havdalah in Shul

  1. The chazan recites havdalah in shul on behalf of those who have no wine or who will not recite havdalah for themselves at home.[16]
    1. Whoever wishes can listen to the chazan's havdalah in shul and fulfill his obligation, even though he is not holding a cup of wine.
      1. It is a widespread minhag in our times for the chazan to recite havdalah in shul, and there is no need to protest the custom. It should be made clear to the congregation, however, that everyone must recite Havdalah at home on behalf of his family members who have not heard it in the synagogue, even though he himself did hear it.[17]
    2. If one plans on saying havdalah at home for his family, then he should not have kavana to fulfill his obligation with the chazan.[18]
  2. The opinion of the Geonim is that whoever recites Kiddush or Havdalah must drink at least melo lugmav of the wine, and if he does not, then he has not fulfilled his obligation. A person should be strict for this opinion.[19]
    1. Therefore the person who is chosen to recite Havdalah in the synagogue must be someone who will be able to drink melo lugmav. If the only person capable of reciting Havdalah is someone who cannot drink that much wine, then he should recite Havdalah, taste a sip of the wine, and then give it to another person who can drink melo lugmav. He should inform that person beforehand that he should have in mind when listening to the blessing of boreh peri hagefen that he will drink from the cup afterward.[20]
  3. If someone is not sure whether or not he will have wine available at home for havdalah, he should listen to the chazan recite havdalah in shul, but stipulate in his mind that he wishes to fulfill his obligation only if he has no wine at home. Then, if he finds that there is wine available at home, he may recite havdalah for himself in accordance with the condition he made.[21]

Havdalah on a Cup of Wine

The Order of Havdalah

  1. The order of the Brachot of Havdalah is Yayin (Hagefen), Besamim, Ner (Meorei HaEsh), Havdalah (Hamavdil).[22]
  2. The custom is to add several pesukim prior to Havdalah for a good sign. For the full Ashkenazic text see here. For the full Sephardic text see here.[23]
  3. If the cup of havdalah falls and spills out completely they should get a new cup of wine and recite a new hagefen. If they already got involved in another activity (hesech hadaat) they need to recite havdalah again.[24]

Wine vs Other Beverages

  1. If one has wine, wine has precedence over any other drink.[25]
    1. Red wine is preferable, but white wine is permissible if only white wine is available.[26]
    2. One may use grape juice for havdalah.[27]
    3. One may not use bread for havdalah, even though one may use it for kiddush Friday night.[28]
  2. However, if one prefers chamar medina (see below section), then they may make havdalah on it, even if they have wine available.[29]

What if There's no Wine / Grape Juice?

  1. If there is no wine or grape juice available, then one can use chamar medina for havdalah.[30] What is chamar medina?
  2. Chamar Medina (lit: wine of the land)[31] includes beer[32] or cognac[33].
    1. There is a debate in the poskim whether chamar medina is still relevant today.[34]
  3. List of beverages:
    1. The following are NOT chamar medina: water[35], soda/lemonade[36], oil[37]
    2. The following ARE chamar medina: beer[32], hard liquor (schnapps)[38]
    3. The following are debatable: coffee[39], milk[40], juice[41], tea[42]
      1. Generally ashkenaz poskim allow these, whereas sephardi poskim do not.

How Much to Drink

  1. The one reciting havdalah should ideally drink a reviyit, in order to be able to recite a bracha achrona. After the fact, if they drank a melo lugmav, it is sufficient (and they just shouldn't make a bracha achrona). If someone drank only a tiny sip of the wine and not a melo lugmav, some say that they did not fulfill their obligation even after the fact,[43] while others hold that one fulfilled the mitzvah but just not in the ideal way.[44]
  2. Those listening to the havdalah initially should not talk until after the one who recited havdalah drank melo lugmav. After the fact, if they talked after he drank a sip they fulfilled their obligation.[45]

Besamim

See Besamim

  1. The Ashkenaz minhag is to make Boreh Minei Besamim (בורא מיני בשמים) which is the general Bracha for nice smells at Havdalah no matter what’s being used for besamim. Ideally, one should use a besamim spice that is indeed minei besamim, such as cloves.[46]
  2. According to Sephardim, one should make the appropriate Bracha for that besamim.[47] There is a Sephardic practice to use hadasim when possible.[48]
  3. Someone who can't smell should not recite Besamim unless he is fulfilling the obligation of someone who can smell.[49]
  4. If someone doesn't have fragrant spices for besamim one doesn't have to go out of his way to get them and can recite havdalah without them.[50]
  5. If someone made havdalah without spices and gets spices later on Motzei Shabbat he can recite the bracha of besamim on them at that point.[51]
  6. If one isn't sure if the spice has a smell may smell it in advance without a bracha.[52] If the spice container is old and in fact doesn't smell and one only realizes after the bracha, the bracha he recited is invalid and the hagefen was also interrupted. Therefore, he should recite another hagefen and a new besamim on another spice if it is available.[53]

Fire

  1. The minhag is to look at one's fingernails during the havdalah in order to indicate that one is getting benefit from the candle to see the difference between one's nails and flesh.[54]
  2. A person needs to be able to benefit from the fire in order to recite the bracha over it. Therefore, some turn off the electric lights when making Havdalah,[55] but others hold that the strict halacha doesn't require turning off the lights.[56]
  3. Some poskim allow one to use an electric light in place of a Havdala candle in a time of need.[57] In fact, it is reported that Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky would always use an electric bulb for Havdala in order to demonstrate how strongly he felt that electricity is to be treated exactly like fire from the perspective of halacha.[58]
  4. Nevertheless, there are those authorities who discourage the use of an electric light for Havdala. Among their opposition to is the fact that the blessing recited upon the Havdalah candle includes the word "fire" which seems to imply the need for actual fire, not merely light. As such a light bulb would not be acceptable according to this view.[59] Even among the authorities who permit the use of electric lighting when needed many would disqualify the use of fluorescent bulbs as they work differently than standard light bulbs.[60]

Saying Havdalah Early

  1. If one is has an extreme need such as a need to travel to the end of the Techum for the purpose of a mitzvah after Shabbat one may pray Arvit starting from Plag Mincha (ten and three quarter hours into the day). In such a case one may also say Havdalah early but one may not say the Bracha on the candle (Meorei HaEsh). Even in such a case it is certainly forbidden to do Melacha (activity which is forbidden on Shabbat) until Tzet HaKochavim.[61]

Until When Can One Say Havdalah?

  1. If one forgot to say Havdalah on Motzei Shabbat one can say it until Tuesday.[62]

Standing or Sitting for Havdalah

  1. According to Sephardim, one should sit during Havdalah. However, the Ashkenazic minhag is to stand during Havadalah.[63]

Doing Work before making Havdalah

  1. Before one says Havdalah, one may not doing any Melacha. If one made Havdalah in Tefillah, one may do Melacha. If one needs to do Melacha before saying Havdalah in Tefillah, one should say "HaMavdil Ben Kodesh LeChol" (which is not a bracha) and then do Melacha.[64]
  2. One shouldn't say "Baruch hamavdil ben kodesh lechol" in a bathroom.[65] If one needs to, one should say "Hamavdil ben kodesh lchol" without the word baruch.[66]
  3. One may not eat until one made Havdalah over a cup of wine.[67] This prohibition begins from after sunset even though it is halachically twilight.[68]
  4. It is permissible to use a non-religious Jewish taxi driver on Motzei Shabbat even though the taxi-driver didn't make Havdalah.[69]

Links

Sources

  1. ↑ Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) writes that the command of "Zachor Et Yom HaShabbat" (Shemot 20:7) - to remember the Shabbat - includes the positive mitzvot of Kiddush and Havdalah every week, as these mitzvot serve to mark the beginning and end of shabbat and distinguish it from the rest of the week. Other Rishonim agree with Rambam, including Ravi’ah Brachot 3:1, Ritvah as quoted by the Nimukei Yosef Pesachim 55, and Sefer Hachinuch Mitvah 31. However, Tosfot (Tosfot Nazir 4a s.v. My Hee in name of Rabbenu Tam) and the Rosh (Sh"t 11:3) hold that only kiddush is deorayta, but havdalah is drabbanan. Mishna Brurah 296:1 quotes both opinions and adds that if one said havdalah in Tefillah, then the havdalah on the wine is certainly drabbanan.
  2. ↑ The gemara brachot 33a states that one who says havdalah during davening (as one is supposed to do), must still say havdalah over a cup of wine as well (המבדיל בתפילה צריך שיבדיל על הכוס). This is codified by Rambam hilchot shabbat 29:6, and Shulchan Aruch 294:1.
  3. ↑ Mishna Chullin 26b, Gemara Shabbat 114b, Rambam Shabbat 5:21 and 29:18, Shulchan Aruch 491:1
  4. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 491:1, Mishna Brurah 491:1
  5. ↑ Or Letzion (v. 3, 18:6)
  6. ↑ Or Letzion (v. 3, 18:6) based on Biur Halacha 514:2 s.v. veyechabeh. Yom Tov Sheni Khilchato ch. 1 fnt. 67 quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Moshe Feinstein (quoted from Rav Efraim Greenblatt) as explaining that although generally we prefer to use a torch with two or more wicks for havdalah, on Yom Tov we avoid this. The reason is that on yom tov holding two candles together is likely going to come to an issue of extinguishing one of the candles more quickly. Even if they are touching it is permitted to detach them. Yet he also cites Rabbi Eider (Halachos of Shabbos 266 fnt. 34) who in the name of Rav Moshe permits putting them together. He concludes with a citation of Rabbi Akiva Eiger OC 669 and YD 1 that even on a regular motzei Shabbat two candles next to one another is sufficient, yet we don't generally follow that opinion (Magen Avraham 298:4).
  7. ↑ Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) writes that havdalah is a positive biblical mitzvah, just like Kiddush. Maggid Mishna (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) understands from the Rambam that women are obligated in havdalah just like they are obligated in Kiddush (since we compare "zachor" to "shamor"). Maggid Mishna suggests that even according to those who argue on the Rambam and hold that havdalah is only drabanan, women are still obligated, since presumably the rabbis instituted havdalah to be just like Kiddush (כל דתיקון רבנן כעין דאורייתא תיקון). Beit Yosef cites from Rabbenu Yonah who agrees that women are obligated in havdala just like kiddush.
    • However, Beit Yosef 296 cites from the Orchot Chaim (Hilchot Havdalah 18) that women shouldn't make havdalah for themselves since perhaps they aren't obligated and it would be a bracha l'vatala. Mishna Brurah 296:34 explains that the reason why women wouldn't be obligated is if we view havdalah as a regular positive time-bound mitzvah, from which women are exempt. Even though havdala is connected to shabbat, since its actual performance takes place after shabbat, it is not viewed as fundamentally a "shabbat mitzvah" and hence not included in the hekesh of "zachor v'shamor". Nonetheless, Shulchan Aruch 296:8 rules as Stam (anonymous opinion) that women are obligated in Havdalah.
  8. ↑ Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:27.
  9. ↑ The Rama 296:8 states that women shouldn't recite Havdalah for themselves, in order to be chosheish for the shita that perhaps they are not obligated in havdalah, and so saying it would constitute a bracha l'vatala. However, this is very difficult to understand. We know that in general the Ashkenazi shita is that women are allowed to make brachot on mitzvot in which they are not obligated (such as lulav or shofar), so why should havdalah be any different? Indeed, the Bach thinks this question is so strong that he rejects the Rama and concludes that women may recite havdalah lechatchila.
  10. ↑ Magen Avraham 296:11 agrees to the Bach. Mishna Brurah 296:35 concludes that a woman should not recite Havdalah for herself unless she can't find someone to hear Havdalah from. In 296:36 he writes that certainly a woman should recite it for herself if she can't find someone else to recite for her, or the only person available to say it for her already fulfilled his obligation (since for him to repeat havdalah for her would constitute a bracha l'vatala if she is, in fact, not obligated). See audio shiur by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz.
  11. ↑ Magen Avraham 296:11 explains that since these two brachot are made over receiving enjoyment from something (ברכת הנהנין), and are not brachot for the mitzvah of havdala (ברכת המצוה), they may certainly be made by anyone. Biur Halacha (296:8 s.v. lo) cites this Magen Avraham approvingly.
  12. ↑ Biur Halacha (296:8 s.v. lo) discusses whether according to the opinion that women are obligated in havdalah, would they also be obligated in the bracha on the ner. Perhaps since this bracha was really established by chazal to commemorate the fact that fire was created on motzei shabbat, and is thus not intrinsically connected to havdalah (but is rather just said along with havdalah over the cup of wine), it is like any other positive time-bound mitzvah in which women are exempt. One proof that the bracha on the ner isn't really connected to havdalah inherently is the fact that if one doesn't have a fire one is not obligated to go find one, but can just say havdalah on the cup of wine without it (Shulchan Aruch 298:1). Another proof is that one may say the bracha on fire on motzei shabbat outside the context of havdala, whenever one finds a fire. He concludes that they probably are not obligated in the bracha of ner even if they are obligated in havdalah.
    • Even though they are not obligated in the bracha of ner, and even though it is a birchat hamitzvah and not a birchat hanehenin, nonetheless one would think that it should be like any other bracha on a mitzvah, which ashkenazim hold that women may make. Indeed, Sh"t Iggerot Moshe CM 2:47:2, Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 14:43, Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:27, all pasken this way. See also Dirshu Mishna Brurah (siman 296 footnote 34), which cites Rav Elyashiv, Rav Chaim Kanievskt, and the Shoneh Halachot as agreeing.
  13. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat Kihilchita 58:16
  14. ↑ Yalkut Yosef Dinei Chinuch Katan pg. 177
  15. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 491:2, Mishna Brurah 491:4. see Vetodienu
  16. ↑ Tur 295, Shulchan Aruch 295:1.
  17. ↑ Yalkut Yosef, Siman 295, Halacha 1
  18. ↑ Mishna Brurah 295:6 explains that one who does have wine should not fulfill his obligation with the chazan, but rather should wait until he gets home, such that he will be able to say havdalah for his wife and kids. He refers one to the Shulchan Aruch 296:7, who writes that if one doesn't have kavana to be yotzeh havdalah in shul, then they aren't yotzeh and should say it at home. Mishna Brurah 296:33 writes that it's proper for every person to make havdalah at home for their family.
    • Does one have to actively have kavana to NOT be yotzeh in shul, or does it suffice to simply not have active kavana to BE yotzeh? The Mishna Brurah 296:33 writes in the name of the Levush that nowadays since the common practice is that people recite havdalah again when they get home to their family, the default is that people do not have kavana to be yotzeh in shul. Therefore, one does not need to actively think to themselves during the chazan's recital of havdalah that they don't want to be yotzeh. Similarly, one who does want to be yotzeh with the chazan's havdalah, has to actively have in mind that they are fulfilling their obligation with his recital.
    • If the husband does have kavana to fulfill his obligation in shul, then he may not recite havdalah for his wife and kids under the age of chinuch at home, since this might constitute a bracha l'vatala (see Mishna Brurah 296:36). In such a case, the wife, should say havdalah for herself. See above section on Women and Havdalah.
  19. ↑ The Shulchan Aruch 271:13 paskens that one needs to drink a m'lo lugmav of the cup of kiddush, which he thinks is the majority of a reviit. The Mishna Brurah 296:9 cites from the Magen Avraham that the same applies to havdalah as well.
  20. ↑ Yalkut Yosef, Siman 295, Halacha 3
  21. ↑ Yalkut Yosef, Siman 295, Halacha 4
  22. ↑ The Mishna Brachot 51b cites a debate between beit shamai and beit hillel with respect to the proper order of the four brachot associated with havdalah (hagafen on the wine, besamim on the incense, me'orei ha'eish on the fire, and havdalah itself). The gemara 52a cites a beraita in which Rebbe Yehudah explains the position of beit hillel as follows: yayin, besamim, ner, havdalah. The gemara explains that the reason why havdalah comes last is because we want to delay the leaving of shabbat as much as possible. Shulchan Aruch 296:1 paskens like this.
  23. ↑ *The Ashkenazic custom is to say the following text before Havdalah: הנה אל ישועתי אבטח ולא אפחד כי עזי וזמרת יה יהוה ויהי לי לישועה: ושאבתם מים בששון ממעיני הישועה: ליהוה הישועה על עמך ברכתך סלה: יהוה צבאות עמנו משגב לנו אלהי יעקב סלה: יהוה צבאות אשרי אדם בטח בך: יהוה הושיעה המלך יעננו ביום קראנו: ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששן ויקר, כן תהיה לנו: כוס ישועות אשא ובשם יהוה אקרא:
    • The source for the Ashkenazic text is the following: the Rama 296:1 writes that before the Bracha of Havdalah one should say Yishaya 12:2-3, Ester 8:16, Tehillim 116:13. The Aruch HaShulchan 296:8 adds 4 more pesukim after the ones in Yishaya from Tehillim 3:9, 46:8, 84:13, and 20:10. He also adds that after Ester 8:16 one should say 'כן תהיה לנו'.
    • The Sephardic custom is to say the following text before Havdalah: כוס ישועות אשא ובשם ה' אקרא: אנא ה' הושיעה נא אנא ה' הצליחה נא: הצליחנו הצליח דרכינו הצליח לימודינו וכו' ושלח ברכה רוחה והצלחה בכל מעשה ידינו כדכתיב ישא ברכה מאת ה' וצדקה מאלהי ישענו: ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששק ויקר: וכתיב ויהי דוד לכל דרכיו משכיל וה' עמו, כן יהיה עמנו תמיד: ונח מצא חן בעיני ה', כן נמצא חן ושכל טוב בעיני אלוקים ואדם: אלהא דמאיר עננו: ואתם הדבקים בה' אלוקיכם חיים כולכם היום:
    • The source for the Sephardic text is the following: Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat, vol 1, pg 449-50) writes that the Sephardic minhag is to say the following order before Havdalah: Tehillim 116:13, 118:25, a prayer beginning with הצליחנו and ending with a Tehillim 24:5, Ester 8:16, Shmuel 1:18:14, Beresheet 6:8, a prayer beginning with אלהא דמאיר, and Devarim 4:4.
  24. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 296:11
  25. ↑ Mishna Brurah 296:8, citing the Ohr Zaruah.
  26. ↑ Chazon Ovadia, Hilchot Shabbat, Chelek 2, Page 82
  27. ↑ Chazon Ovadia, Hilchot Shabbat, Chelek 2, Page 408 writes that grape juice is practically like wine and is thus more preferable than chamar medina; Chazon Ovadia v. 1 p. 99 writes that grape juice is fit for kiddush and havdalah based on the Gemara Bava Batra 97a. He ends that even though it is pasteurized it is still like wine for all intents and purposes since it tastes like non-fermented wine (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 272:3). This is also in Yalkut Yosef 202 fnt. 8. Listen to Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Matot Masei 5778 min 36) who seems to contradict this as he says that grape juice is unfit for havdalah.
  28. ↑ Tur 296 citing Rav Amram Gaon. Beit Yosef explains that the Friday night kiddush is connected to the meal and so it's reasonable that bread would be a valid substitute for kiddush. But havdalah on motzei shabbat is not connected to any seudah and therefore one may not make havdalah on bread. This is codified in Shulchan Aruch 296:2.
  29. ↑ The Rama 296:2 writes that the minhag is to make havdalah on motzei pesach on beer since at that point it will have been over a week since drinking beer, so people are very excited about drinking it (it's more חביב - precious). The Biur Halacha (296:2 s.v. im hu chamar medina) learns from this Rama that any time one prefers chamar medina to wine, then they may make havdalah on it. He explains that when it comes to kiddush, there is a debate in the rishonim whether one can fulfill their obligation with chamar medina, and so we try to avoid it. However, everyone agrees that one can fulfill their obligation of havdalah with chamar medina, and so we are less hesitant to do so.
  30. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 296:2
  31. ↑ The Rashbam (cited in the Tur siman 272) holds that for a drink to be considered chamar medina, there has to be no wine available in the entire city. The Tur then cites a yesh mefarshim that a beverage can only be chamar medina if there is no wine within a day's journey of the city. However, from the Rambam (hilchot shabbat 29:17) it sounds like he thinks that as long as people in that locale typically drink this beverage instead of wine ("מדינה שרוב יינה שכר"), this is good enough to consider that beverage chamar medina. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Iggerot Moshe OC 2:75 defines chamar medina as something you would serve to guests who you want to show respect to. Halachot Ketanot 1:9 writes that chamar medina must have alhocol, although see below for other poskim who argue.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Shulchan Aruch O.C. 296:2 writes that one may make Havdalah on beer (שכר) if it is Chamar Medina or other drinks besides for water.
  33. ↑ Yalkut Yosef 296:8
  34. ↑ Mishna Brurah (272:24) cites from the Magen Avraham that to be considered chamar medina, there has to be no wine available in the city that year, and this beverage has to be the primary beverage of the city. This is based on the Rashbam and the yesh mefarshim cited in the Tur (see previous note). However, in the Biur Halacha (272:9 s.v. shemikadshin) he cites the position of the Rambam that as long most people in the city drink this beverage then it is considered chamar medina (מדינה שרוב יינה שכר), even if there is wine available in the city. Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Kovetz Teshuvot 1:57 asked Rav Elyashiv whether a sick person could recite havdalah on tisha b'av on wine or chamar medina. Rav Elyashiv responded that they should use beer or another drink that is chamar medina. Rav Chaim responded that the Chazon Ish thought that nowadays nothing, including beer, is chamar medina since wine is so common (presumably based on the Magen Avraham cited above). See Dirshu Mishna Brurah (296 ft. 12) who cites this position of the Chazon Ish. As noted, Rav Elyashiv disagrees and thinks that even though wine is available nowadays everywhere, nonetheless there is still chamar medina because most people don't drink wine as part of a regular seudah, but rather other beverages (he relies upon the position of the Rambam cited in the biur halacha).
  35. ↑ Shulchan Aruch 272:9 explains that water is definitionally not able to be considered chamar medina. Mishna Brurah (272:25) explains that even if the city drinks only water and nothing else, it still cannot be considered chamar medina. Mishna Brurah (296:10) explains that this is because water isn't considered "חשיב" (lit: important, significant).
  36. ↑ Sh"t Igrot Moshe 2:75 rules that soda is just like water and can not be used for kiddush. Rav Avigdor Neventzahl in Biyitzchak Yikare 272 fnt. 25 agrees. Sh"t Vayan Avraham (Izrael) Siman 34 (pg 63) writes that he remembers in the holocaust the question arose whether lemonade could be used for Havdalah and he concludes that it just like water and can’t be used for Havdalah.
  37. ↑ Mishna Brurah 272:25
  38. ↑ Mishna Brurah 272:30. This seems to have been the common minhag in Ashkenaz, to make kiddush shabbat day on schnapps despite the availability of wine. See the Bach (272:10 s.v. v'ikah) who is perplexed by this minhag and attempts to justify it. See Mishna Brurah 272:29 who explains that perhaps it is because wine is expensive and kiddush shabbat day is only drabanan anyway, so we can be lenient and use schnapps and not be concerned with the Rambam's shita that is invalid for kiddush. Mishna Brurah 272:30 seems to imply that another reason to use schnapps would be if you prefer it (similar to the discussion regarding making kiddush on bread Friday night).
  39. ↑ Halachot Ketanot 1:9 writes that Chamar Medina must have alhocol and so coffee is not Chamar Medina. Yalkut Yosef 296:8 writes that one may not use coffee, tea, orange juice, or soda for Havdalah, but one if there's no wine in the city, one may use beer or cognac which are considered Chamar Medina; Chazon Ovadia, Hilchot Shabbat, Chelek 2, Page 408 specifies that coffee, tea, milk, and fruit juice are not considered chamar medina, and therefore one may not make havdalah with them. More sources can be found in Yabia Omer OC 3:19 for this approach.
    • However ashkenazi poskim are more expansive, and do not require the beverage to be alcoholic to be considered chamar medina. Rav Avigdor Neventzahl in Biyitzchak Yikare (siman 272 footnote 25) says that coffee, juice, or tea may be permitted.
  40. ↑ Mishna Brurah (272:25) says that milk is not chamar medina. Dirshu Mishna Brurah (296 ft. 15) cites Rav Shlomo Zalmen that even in a place where everyone drinks milk it still isn't chamar medina because it isn't a chashuv beverage. However, Igrot Moshe 2:75 says that in an extenuating circumstances, milk could be used as chamar medina in a place where it is common to drink. Tzitz Eliezer 8:16 and 14:42 agrees.
  41. ↑ Dirshu Mishna Brurah (296 ft. 16) cites from Rav Elyashiv that juices such as orange juice or grapefruit juice are considered chamar medina. Rav Avigdor Neventzahl in Biyitzchak Yikare (siman 272 footnote 25) says that juice may be permitted.
  42. ↑ Igrot Moshe 2:75 says that in an extenuating circumstances, tea can be considered chamar medina. Tzitz Eliezer 8:16 and 14:42 agrees, as does Rav Avigdor Neventzahl in Biyitzchak Yikare (siman 272 footnote 25).
  43. ↑ Mishna Brurah 296:9, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 60:36
  44. ↑ Shulchan Aruch Harav 190:4, Pri Megadim EA 271:24, Aruch Hashulchan 296:15, Kaf Hachaim 296:16, Or Letzion 2:20:7, Tzitz Eliezer 19:21:1, Yachava Daat 3:40, Yalkut Yosef (Shabbat 1-4, 5773 edition, 296:27), Piskei Teshuvot 296:11, and Rav Ben Tzion Felman in Moriya (257-259 p. 114) quoting Rav Aryeh Leib Shteinmann. Avnei Darech 9:40 rules that after the fact, if the one who made havdalah didn't drink the wine, those who heard it from him still fulfill their mitzvah, but if they want to be machmir to hear havdalah again from someone else then they can. He cites Migdanot Eliyahu 2:24 quoted Rashi, Raavan, and Baal Haitur that melo lugmav isn't maakev for havdalah. He quotes several other sources to this effect: Kaf Hachaim 296:15, Me'at Mayim 73, and Pekudat Eliezer 271 s.v. vtzarich li iyun.
  45. ↑ Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:257
  46. ↑ Mishna Brurah 297:1, Vezot HaBracha (pg 181, chapter 19), The Radiance of Shabbos p. 131
  47. ↑ Mishna Brurah 297:1, Vezot HaBracha (pg 181, chapter 19)
  48. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 297:4
  49. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 297:5, The Radiance of Shabbos p. 131
  50. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 297:1, The Radiance of Shabbos p. 130
  51. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 299:5 rules that the mitzvah of besamim is only on Motzei Shabbat. The Radiance of Shabbos p. 131 adds that if it was omitted in havdalah it can be recited afterwards until Olot Hashachar based on the Eshel Avraham.
  52. ↑ The Radiance of Shabbos p. 132 citing Kaf Hachaim 216:3. He adds that this was the practice of Rav Moshe Feinstein to smell the besamim before the havdalah to check if it smelled.
  53. ↑ The Radiance of Shabbos p. 133
  54. ↑ Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 298:3, Zohar 2:208b:2
  55. ↑ Rivevot Efraim 2:115:32 citing Teshuvot Vehanhagot 6:90
  56. ↑ Chazon Ovadia Shabbat v. 2 p. 439, Yalkut Yosef 298:10 Shabbat v. 1 p. 477. Rav Yitzchak Yosef (Motzei Shabbat Matot Masei 5778 min 49) said that the strict halacha doesn't require a person to turn off the electric lights since if all that is required is that if the lights were to be off it would be possible to benefit from the candle and see the difference between coins which is possible from a distance.
  57. ↑ Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6, Az Nidberu 8:2, Rivevot Ephraim 3:599. see also Mishpitei Uziel OC 1:9
  58. ↑ Shaarim Metzuyanim Behalachah 96:6. Sh"t Nachalat Shimon 15 says this was the practice of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik
  59. ↑ Har Tzvi 2:114, Sh"t Yechave Daat 2:39, Maharshag 2:107, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rabbi Raphael Baruch Toledano pg. 323
  60. ↑ Hachashmal L’or Hahalacha 3:88
  61. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 293:3
  62. ↑ Shulchan Aruch and Rama O.C. 299:6. Even though Rav Ovadia in Yabia Omer 6:48:13 was concerned about Safek Brachot and wrote that one couldn't say it after Sunday in Yabia Omer 7:47 he retracted and followed Shulchan Aruch since the machloket is about the Mitzvah and not the bracha. Yalkut Yosef 299:7 writes that one who recites the bracha past Sunday isn't scorned, however, on the Motzei Shabbat (Matot Masei 5778 min 44-47) shiur he seemed to support the last ruling of Rav Ovadia.
  63. ↑ Tosfot 43a writes that to be included in Kiddish one should sit and then asks on those who stand during Havadalah because of the same issue. Therefore, Shulchan Aruch 296:6 rules that one should sit during Havdalah. However, Rama 296:6 and the Gra (Maaseh Rav pg 103, #150) write that the Ashkenazic practice is to stand for Havdalah. Mishna Brurah 296:27 explains that the reason for the Ashkenazic minhag is to escort the Shabbat queen out and escorting must be done standing. He adds that one can fulfill the obligation of others even when standing because everyone is assembled expressed for that purpose and has Kavana to fulfill their obligation. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Teshuva Siman 3 quoted in back of Radiance of Shabbos) writes that his personal minhag was to sit like his father's minhag but because of the rishonim who hold that one may stand one should not change one's minhag.
  64. ↑ Shulchan Aruch O.C. 299:10. Rav Schachter (Eretz HaTzvi p. 57) permits preparing the wine for Havdalah because Hachana isn’t considered a Melacha and may be done after Shabbat before Havdalah.
  65. ↑ Avnei Yishpeh 6:10:1 writes that one shouldn't say hamavdil ben kodesh lechol in a bathroom since it is doing a mitzvah and similar to divrei kedusha. Dor Hamelaktim v. 2 p. 1072 quotes this from Rav Chaim Kanievsky as well. However, it quotes Minchat Shabbat who permits it.
  66. ↑ Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (Kovetz Halachot Shabbat v. 1 p. 779)
  67. ↑ Mishna Brurah 299:1
  68. ↑ Magen Avraham 299:1, Mishna Brurah 299:1 unlike Taz 299:1 who allows eating during ben hashemashot.
  69. ↑ Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 12:37 writes that saying "Have a good week" does not fulfill the mitzvah of Havdalah. Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 11:34 and 12:38 writes that there's no an issue of asking an non-religious Jew to do work for him after Shabbat since they aren't going to say Havdalah anyway, the prohibition not to do work before Havdalah doesn't set in. Rabbi Mansour on dailyhalacha.com explains this ruling. See also Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz on yutorah.org.
Category Topic
Mitzvot of Shabbat
Kiddush Levana - Enjoying Shabbat - Fourth meal of Shabbat - Havdalah - Having a meal on Friday - In the Spirit of Shabbat - Kiddush - Lighting Shabbat Candles - Making Early Shabbat - Making one hundred Brachot on Shabbat - Preparing foods on Shabbat - Preparing for Shabbat - Shenayim Mikrah - Kavod Shabbat - Shabbos Davening - Seudat Shabbat - Seudat Shelishit - Lechem Mishneh - Motzei Shabbat - When Does Shabbat Start?
Restrictions of Shabbat
Allowing Carrying Using an Eruv Chatzerot - Animals on Shabbat - Asking a Jew to work on Shabbat - Asking a non-Jew to work on Shabbat (Amirah LeNochri) - Benefiting from a Violation of Shabbat (Maaseh Shabbat) - Books, notebooks, and papers - Brushing Teeth on Shabbat - Building a structure on Shabbat (Boneh) - Carrying on Shabbat - Cleaning the dishes - Cleaning and Folding Garments on Shabbat - Clearing the table - Cooking (Ofeh and Bishul) - Cosmetics on Shabbat - Dancing and clapping on Shabbat - Electricity on Shabbat - Eruv Chatzerot - Eruvin - Games on Shabbat - Getting dressed on Shabbat - Giving birth on Shabbat - Grinding (Tochen) - Handling objects on Shabbat (Muktzeh) - Infants on Shabbat - Introduction to the Modern Eruv - Kneading (Lash) - Mail on Shabbat - Medicine on Shabbat (Refuah on Shabbat) - Melacha That Begins Before Shabbat - Opening bottles and containers (Boneh) - Plants on Shabbat (Zoreah) - Preparing for after Shabbat (Hachana) - Reading on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Recreation on Shabbat - Sechirut Reshut - Separating mixtures (Borer) - Squeezing fruits (Sechita) - Speaking on Shabbat (Daber Davar) - Taking a cruise over Shabbat - Taking measurements on Shabbat - Techum - Transactions on Shabbat - Transportation on Shabbat - Going to and Staying in the Hospital on Shabbat - Wages on Shabbat (Sachar Shabbat) - Washing one’s body on Shabbat
Melachos
Introduction to Melechet Machshevet - Marbeh Bshiurim - Plowing - Planting - Harvesting - Gathering - Threshing - Winnowing - Separating - Grinding - Sifting - Kneading - Baking and Cooking - Shearing - Laundering - Combing - Dyeing - Spinning - Mounting warp threads - Making two loops - Weaving - Unraveling fabric - Tying - Untying - Gluing, taping, or stapling - Ripping - Trapping - Slaughtering - Skinning - Tanning - Smoothing - Scoring - Cutting precisely - Writing - Erasing - Building - Demolishing - Completing a vessel - Extinguishing a flame - Kindling a fire - Carrying
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