#171: Machshavah

Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week. While it is often viewed as a bittersweet farewell, the Shelah offers a different perspective. He writes that “one should recite Havdalah with a nice, pleasant tune to properly escort the Shabbat queen out.”

The Shelah compares this to Lavan’s words to Yaakov, where he lamented that had Yaakov not fled, but departed normally, he would have sent him off “with joy and song” (Bereshit 31:27). Just as a dignified farewell is given with celebration and music, so too, we should escort Shabbat out with joyous melodies. This also explains the custom of singing zemirot on Motzai Shabbat (as quoted in MiTal Hashamayim, p.100).

Although one might think that Havdalah is a somewhat somber ceremony as we bid farewell to the departing Shabbat, the Shelah teaches us to see it as a joyous occasion. By giving Shabbat a joyful sendoff through Havdalah, we honor the holiness of the day and allow its sanctity to remain with us as we enter the week.

May our heartfelt singing during Havdalah help carry the spirit of Shabbat into the days ahead, infusing our week with its peace and holiness.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.