886. When to Recite Kiddush and Havdalah - HaShoneh Halachos 2: Mishneh Torah

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, MS Ed., is Torah Content Editor at the Orthodox Union. He is the author of nine books, including The Tzniyus Book, The Taryag Companion, The God Book and Ask Rabbi Jack. His two-volume The Complete Targum Onkelos is available from Kodesh Press as well as on Amazon.

Shabbos 29:3

Next, the Rambam provides the text of havdalah:

Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, Who separates between the holy and the mundane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the other nations, and between the seventh day and the six days of labor. Blessed are You, Hashem, who separates between the holy and the mundane.

Shabbos 29:4

The mitzvah of sanctifying Shabbos is to be performed at night. If one does not recite kiddush at night, whether by choice or by accident, he may recite it at any point during the day. If one did not recite havdalah at night, he may do so the next day; in fact, one may recite havdalah through Tuesday (until nightfall, which would be Wednesday in halacha). The blessing recited over a flame, however, is only said on Saturday night.

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