Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz:
During havdalah on Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night) we recite a bunch of seemingly random verses and blessings on spices and fire. Why do we do this after Shabbat but not after Yom Tov?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Two Actions, One Reason
Let’s begin by understanding the mitzvah (commandment) of havdalah. People think that havdalah and kiddush are two different mitzvot, but havdalah is actually part of the mitzvah of kiddush.
Set Aside
Kiddush means “to set aside.” When something is holy, clear boundaries are required to distinguish it from the mundane. For example, the Beit Hamikdash (temple) is a holy place, and its boundaries are defined by physical walls.
Similarly, Shabbat and Yom Tov are holy times, and must be clearly separated from the ordinary days around them. At the onset of Shabbat and Yom Tov, we recite kiddush, marking the beginning of these holy days and separating them from the ordinary days before. And at their conclusion, we recite havdalah, meaning “separation,” distinguishing these days from the mundane days that follow. This is the main mitzvah of havdalah.
Staying Connected To The Source
The reason we add special pesukim (verses) after Shabbat is to help us stay connected to the unique holiness of the day as it is the source of all blessings, a day when Hashem (God) is close to us, bringing heightened blessing and protection. As we bid farewell to this wonderful day, we are frightened at the thought of the loss of this connection and protection.
So we add these pesukim, which highlight Hashem as our salvation (yeshuati), strength (ozi), and Source of blessing, asking that the blessings and spiritual energy of Shabbat continue to guide and protect us throughout the week.
One pasuk we say is: “LaYehudim haysa orah vesimcha vesasson vikar” – The Jews had light, joy, gladness, and honor which the Gemara tells us refer to Torah, Yom Tov, Brit Milah, and Tefillin. These are mitzvos that particularly express our closeness to Hashem, and by mentioning them, we are praying that the connection we had with Hashem on Shabbat continues into the days ahead, through these mitzvot.
Shabbat: The Holiest Day
Although Hashem is close to us on all Yomim Tovim (plural for Yom Tov), Shabbat is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when Hashem is closest to us, so we reserve these pesukim for the havdalah recited after Shabbat.
To Lift Us Up
Smelling besamim (spices) is a ritual in place to lift our spirits as Shabbat ends. On Shabbat, we are given a neshamah yeteirah (an extra soul) that allows us to connect to Hashem on a higher level, even more than on Yom Tov. As Shabbat ends and this extra soul departs, we are saddened by its absence, so we seek to revive our spirits, as the Gemara explains, the sense of smell is the most intangible and spiritual of the five senses, making it something our neshamot can appreciate. Thus, the spices act as a spiritual “smelling salt,” helping to uplift our spirits after the additional soul has departed.
Remembering Adam
We recite a blessing over fire specifically on Motzei Shabbat because that was when fire was first discovered – when Adam rubbed two stones together after Shabbat (Pesachim 54a). The Rishonim add that since we cannot kindle a fire on Shabbat, it is considered a renewed benefit after Shabbat, making it a good time to express our gratitude to Hashem for this wonderful gift. We thank Hashem for all His blessings, and fire is certainly a significant one, providing a source for light, warmth, cooking and baking, as well as myriad other benefits (Rabbeinu Bechai to Parshat Vayakhel).
In Short:
Havdalah, like kiddush separates the holiness of Shabbat and Yom Tov from other days. The special pesukim sustain the blessing, protection, and closeness we experienced with Hashem on Shabbat. Besamim lift our spirits after we lost the neshamah yeseirah. We thank Hashem for the wonderful gift of fire, which was created on Motzei Shabbat, and is renewed after Shabbat.
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