Monday, August 3, 2015

Shabbat and Havdalah

Friday evening through Saturday evening is the ritual day of rest. Preceding it is a candle lighting ceremony to welcome the 'bride' and Saturday after sundown the Havdalah ritual is performed to bid the day adieu until the next week. You can read about all the symbols here that will explain them more authoritatively than I ever could.

I was welcomed into a Chabad community near my home to take these photos before and after this past Shabbat.

Lighting the Shabbat candles:



Saying the ritual blessing to welcome in the day of rest:



Saying the Kiddush (blessing over wine) at the Havdalah ritual. The silver container next to the prayer book holds spices, such as cloves, that are sniffed during the ritual:




Dousing the candle flame with the Kiddush wine:



Dipping fingers into the spilled wine: