leader: In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath begins Friday night, and ends Saturday night.

participant: Our sages taught us that part of the recognition of the Sabbath is a declaration of Separation or Division, called Havdalah, at the conclusion of the Sabbath.

participant: There are three main symbols of Havdalah, the wine, the spice, and the candle.

participant: The wine is used at all holidays, to sanctify the holiday.

participant: The symbolic significance of the fragrant spices is that the sweet smell is regarded in rabbinical sources as a delight for the soul, rather than for the body. It refreshes in some small way, making up for the loss of the "additional soul" which takes leave at the end of the Sabbath, and the for loss of the spiritual strength this entails.

participant: The lighting or extinguishing of fire is not permitted on the Sabbath. It therefore is considered proper that its very first use after the Sabbath be for a religious purpose. It also symbolizes, as the first act of the week, the first act of creation which marked the first day of the week, when it was said "Let there be light."

participant: The Havdalah candle is a special candle that is made of two or more braided wicks, which produce a torch-like light.

participant: Havdalah is a time of moving on, going from the reflection of the Sabbath to the realities of the coming week.

participant: As we look forward, we can work to make the coming week better than the last.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little less impatient.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little less arrogant.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little less intolerant.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little more forgiving.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little more careful to speak with a gentle voice.

participant: Perhaps we can be a little more eager to find joy in life, and help others find joy, too.

participant: Perhaps we can listen more.

participant: Perhaps we can be more committed to friends and family.

participant: Perhaps we can be more decent, honorable, and loving.

all: Blessed art The, who created sweet spices.

leader: It is now customary to briefly examine your hands, or at least the right hand, by the light of the flame so as to get some immediate use from the light, so the blessing was not said in vain.

all: Blessed art thou, who makes a division between the sacred and the secular, between light and darkness, between Israel and other nations, between the seventh day and the six working days.

leader: Blessed art thou, who makes a distinction between the sacred and the secular.

all: AMEN