The Closing of the Sabbath

Havdalah means separation, a time to separate the holy from the mundane, and recognise that the Almighty has made a separation between the sacred and the secular, between light and darkness and between shabbat and the rest of the days of the weeks. Havdalah is traditionally commences when there are three stars visible in the sky, that is about 20 minutes after nightfall.

PRAYER TO CLOSE THE DAY

(traditionally done by a woman)

Abba Father, we thank You for this blessed day in Your rest. We thank You for refreshing and restoring us by Your Presence here with us this day. Thankyou for Your Ruach here among us Who has come to dwell with us in Your name. We thank you for our Blessed Messiah, Y'shua, Who is the Light of this World and Who came to redeem it and turn it from darkness to light. May the love and the light which You have imparted to us, radiate through us to the world around us as we go through this coming week. Amen.

LIGHTING THE CANDLES

These two candles represent our recognition of the two aspects of Yahweh God's creative power in the physical creation and also that in the spiritual redemption, manifest through His two witnesses in the earth, the two Houses of Israel. These candles have been twisted together to symbolically represent the different facets of His glory manifest in us, His many-membered Body, His tabernacle upon earth.

Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe, who brings forth the Light from the earth. Baruch Atah Yahweh, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, ha-motsee ha-Or min ha-arets.

(candles are lit)

Blessed are You Yahweh, our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us in Your Word, and given us Y'shua our Messiah, and commanded us to be lights in this world. Amen. Baruch atah Yahweh, Eloheinu, mehlech ha-olam, asher keedshanu beed-varehcha v’nathan lanu et Y'shua M’shechaynu, v’tzeevanu l’heoat oar la-olam. Amein

(It is a tradition to savour the light of the candles and contemplate their significance)

We as believers in Messiah stand together as one to behold these burning lights which remind us that Y'shua said, "I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12)," and that, .. if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Y'shua the Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin. (John 1:7) Blessed are You, Yahweh, for illuminating our hearts with the knowledge of Y'shua.

SCRIPTURE READING

John 1: 1-14; 1 John 1: 1-9

SONG - Psalm 133: 1

HINEY MAH TOV [make a circle and join hands]

THE CUP OF SALVATION

This cup represents the blood of Y'shua which was poured out for our salvation as He said, "This is my blood of the new covenant , which is shed for many" (Mark14:24).

As a symbol of our salvation it also represents the many blessings which are poured out upon us.

Blessed are You, Yahweh, the God of Israel, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Baruch atah Yahweh Elohaynu melekh ha'olam, boray pri hagafen.

"I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of Yahweh" Psalm 116:13 (leader lifts up cup of wine)

(the cup is set down again without drinking)

Leader: Behold, God is my salvation, In Him will I trust and not be afraid, For in strength of faith and a song of praise, the Eternal will be my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wellsprings of salvation. The Lord alone is our Salvation; may Your blessing rest upon Your people, Selah

Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the Eternal of Jacob is a fortress protecting us, Selah.

Hineh El yishuati evtach v'lo efchad. Ki azi vzimrat ya, El vayahee li l'Y'shua. U'shavtem mayim b'sason ha'Y'shua.

La'Adonai ha'Y'shua al amcha birchatecha sela. Yahweh tzvaot imanu misgav lanu elohei yaakov sela.

Congregation: Yahweh of hosts, happy is the one who trusts in You.

Mighty One, redeem us! May You hear us on the day we call upon You.

Leader: There was light and joy, gladness and honor for the Jewish people; may we have the same.

La'yehudim hayta orah v'simcha v'sason v'ikar ken tiyehah lanu.

(Leader lifts the cup)

I will raise the cup of salvation and proclaim the name of Yahweh.

Kos yeshuot esah u'bshem Yahweh ekra.

(the cup of wine is passed around with napkin for wiping the lip of it)

"Then He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Drink from it, all of you." (Matthew 26:27)

We give You thanks, Our Father, for the Holy Vine of Your Son Y'shua; Yours is the glory for ever and ever.

THE BREAD OF LIFE

Then as regards the broken bread: We give You thanks, O our Father, for the life and knowledge which You did make known unto us through Your Son Y'shua; Yours is the glory for ever and ever.

"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)

(Pass the Sabbath Loaf around)

As this broken bread has been scattered upon the mountains, may it be gathered together to become one, so that Your harvest will be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom; for Yours is the glory and the power and the honour, through Y'shua the Messiah, for ever and ever, Amen.

THE FRAGRANT SPICES (b'sameem)

Reader 1: Song of Solomon 1: 1-4 Reader 2: Song of Solomon 4:12-16

We smell these spices as a reminder of the fragrance we have enjoyed of His Presence on this holy day of Shabbat, so that what our natural senses inhale may be nostalgic to our spirit to linger and remain in spiritual union with Him.

[Pass the spices around for all to smell]

Reader 3: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16: 4: 6-12

Y'shua said, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46)

"Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; .. .. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." (John 12:35-36)

(extinguish the candles)

May we bring the fragrance of Y'shua to the people around us wherever the Almighty has us this week.

HAVDALAH BENEDICTION

Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, ruler of the universe, who makes a distinction the holy from the profane/secular, light from darkness, the seventh day of rest from the six days of work. Blessed are You, Yahweh, who separates the sacred and the profane/secular.

Baruch atah Yahweh Eloheinu melech ha'olam, ha-mavdil bein kodesh lechol bein or lechoshech bein yom ha'shevi'i leshayshet yemei ha ma'aseh.

Baruch atah Yahweh ha mavdil bein Kodesh lechol.

Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord has become my strength and my song. He is also become my Salvation.

(Psalm 23 - optional)

CONCLUSION OF HAVDALAH

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tiding of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7) Let this Scripture be fulfilled in us that we might be bearers of good news, that proclaim salvation and bring peace, who proclaim Your coming kingdom, Abba Father, Amen.

READING OF PSALM 91

We thank You for all the blessings given to us in Your Son, Y'shua our Messiah. We give You thanks, Holy Father, for Your Holy Name, which You have made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You have made known unto us through Your Son Y'shua.

Ruler of the universe, Father of mercy and forgiveness, we ask that You allow us to begin the working days which are before us, in peace toward all men; that You would cause us to walk through this week in Your grace so that we bring blessing, redemption and salvation to those around us.

Bless and prosper the works of our hands in this coming week, to the performance of good works, we ask You.

Our Father and King, we ask You that You would guide our steps that we might walk in the paths of righteousness, that You would preserve us from the snares of the enemy and bring the evil counsels of the wicked to nothing. Incline our hearts to Your Word that we might not sin against You, but that we will glorify You in all we say and do.

Bless us as we follow Your commandments and may our mouths be filled with Your praise. Amen.

Yours is the glory for ever and ever. For You, Almighty One, did create all things for Your Name's sake. For all these things we give You thanks; Yours is the power and glory and the honour for ever and ever. Amen!

Maran Atha! -- Until He comes!

AARONIC BLESSING

Yahweh bless you and keep you. Yahweh make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Yahweh lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Y'shua the Messiah. Amen.

Yahweh v yish-marechah. Yaer Yahweh panav aelechah veechu-nechah.

Yisah Yahweh panav aelechah v ya-saem l chah shalom.

B Shaem Y shua haMashiach, Sar haShalom. Amein.

As we close, wish everyone Shavua Tov! -- Have a good week!

For the Havdalah service, a kiddush cup is traditionally filled to overflowing as an expression of hope that the coming week will be a good one and the candles are extinguished in the spilled wine on the plate. A special twisted candle of several colours is traditionally used for Havdalah to symbolise the various colours of the light spectrum manifest through His Bride which reflects His glory. Revelation 21:10-11; 18-21 A box of spices or pot pourri, fragrant plants or a citron stuffed with cloves is traditionally used as a symbol of the fragrance of the Shabbat experience, in order to savour it's memory during the week.

This service is based on the traditions handed down in Judaism, incorporating portions from the early Messianic Didache.