Omer Learning 2019: Day 38 | Siddur Q & A: The siddur marks the end of Sh…

Today is 38 days, which is 5 weeks and 3 days of the Omer

Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating new Siddurim on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this wonderful occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to learn about the siddur.

Enjoy today’s siddur related question and answer, which was provided by Malcom A..

The siddur marks the end of Shabbat with Havdalah. What’s the symbolism of the candle, spices and wine in this context?

Spices: Based on my sources, I can infer that the spices symbolize the last few sweet moments of Shabbat. A second similar theory states that the spices help hold on to happiness after Shabbat ends. I also think that in the days of the early rabbis, people rarely bathed and were very smelly, so the spices made them smell sweeter at Havdalah time.

Candles: The candles serve a more practical role, however, showing that Shabbat is over by doing something forbidden on Shabbat. I also believe that since Shabbat ends at after dark the rabbis did not want to have Havdalah in the dark.

Wine: Wine is often used in rituals and can show that something is holy. Of course it could be that the rabbis liked wine and wanted to drink more wine.

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