Hamavdil
bein kodesh l’chol. Sizzle. My
favorite sound of the week. The sound made when the Havdalah candle is extinguished
by the wine is like nothing else. It may just be the sound of a fire going out,
but it represents something so much more. Havdallah is meant to end Shabbat,
and begin the new week, distinguishing the sacred, “kodesh,” from the everyday,
“l’chol.” We aren't just ending Shabbat, we are turning over a new leaf,
beginning a new week full of new opportunities and new chances. For us here on
EIE, that is especially fitting. Yes, we are separating Shabbat from the rest
of the week, but we are also separating our lives back home and our new lives
here in Israel. We all come from different places and backgrounds, and now we
are one Kehilla Kedosha. We are
here together now, and we all have the opportunity to start anew. We can be
whoever we want here, regardless of our actions or reputations at home. We can
be better people, we can be more ourselves, there is nothing holding us back. The transition has been made, and we’re finally here! And what better way to symbolize that,
than with a Havdalah service on one of our first days together?
The service was particularly special
for me. In terms of our traditions and actions as Jews, prayer is probably my
favorite. Growing up at URJ Eisner Camp and now being in NFTY, I've truly grown
to love services and prayer. Shabbat and weekly T’fillot are great, but Havdalah
has always been my favorite. It’s more special to me, and of course the music
and prayers and fantastic. So for me, my passion and enjoyment were immensely
escalated this time around. Not only did we have Havdalah in Israel, but we did
it at the Kotel. Something about singing those same songs and seeing the same
sights I've always seen during
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