Havdalah marks the close of Shabbos and the return to the new week, separating the holy from the everyday through a beautiful and multisensory ritual involving wine, spices, and a braided candle. At Eichlers, we carry complete havdalah sets and individual pieces in silver and elegant designs, suited to weekly use and as meaningful gifts for a bar or bas mitzvah, a wedding, or any new home.
Havdalah is recited on Motzaei Shabbos, after nightfall once Shabbos has ended, marking the formal transition back into the week. The ritual involves a blessing over wine, a blessing over besamim, fragrant spices, smelled to comfort the soul as the extra neshama yeseira of Shabbos departs, and a blessing over the flame of a braided havdalah candle, viewed by the light it casts on the fingernails. The final blessing distinguishes between holy and ordinary, between Shabbos and the six days of the week, closing the day with a sense of both reflection and renewal.
The havdalah candle is traditionally braided, made up of multiple wicks twisted together so the flame burns as a single torch-like fire, fulfilling the halachic requirement of a flame substantial enough to see its light reflected. Braided candles come in various colors and braiding styles, with some featuring multiple colors woven together for a more decorative appearance. A proper havdalah candle holder keeps the candle stable and upright during the brief ritual, and many households keep a dedicated holder specifically for this purpose.
A besamim box holds the fragrant spices smelled during havdalah, traditionally cloves or other aromatic spices, though many households use specially blended havdalah spice mixes available for this purpose. Besamim boxes range from simple, functional designs through elaborately crafted silver pieces, often shaped like miniature towers, fruits, or other decorative forms that have become traditional in different communities. A well-made besamim box typically includes small holes or a perforated top that allows the fragrance to be smelled without spilling the spices themselves.
The cup used for the wine blessing during havdalah is often the same kiddush cup used throughout Shabbos, though some families maintain a separate cup designated specifically for havdalah. As with kiddush, the cup is traditionally filled to overflowing, symbolizing the hope for a week of abundance and blessing ahead, with the overflow caught in a small plate or saucer beneath the cup.
A complete havdalah set typically includes a coordinated cup, besamim box, and candle holder, designed to be displayed and used together as a unified piece. Having a matched set creates a more polished presentation for this meaningful weekly ritual and makes it easy to gather everything needed for havdalah in one place rather than searching for individual pieces scattered around the home. Sets are available in sterling silver, silver-plated, and a range of decorative finishes to suit different tastes and budgets.
A havdalah set is a meaningful and practical gift for nearly any Jewish occasion, particularly for a bar or bas mitzvah, a wedding, or a family establishing their own Shabbos traditions. Because havdalah is performed weekly throughout the year, a quality set becomes a fixture of family life used every single Motzaei Shabbos for years to come. Browse our full wedding gifts and Judaica collection for more meaningful pieces, or our bar mitzvah gifts collection for a boy taking on more responsibility in Shabbos observance.
Wipe wax drippings from the candle holder promptly once cooled to avoid buildup that's difficult to remove later. Empty and clean the besamim box periodically to keep the spice fragrance fresh and prevent residue buildup inside the holes. Polish silver pieces with a polish formulated for sterling or plated silver, and store the complete set together in a soft cloth or display case between uses to keep all the pieces protected and easy to find each week.
A havdalah set closes out the Shabbos experience each week. Eichlers carries everything else you need for the full Shabbos table.
The braided design combines multiple wicks into a single torch-like flame, fulfilling the halachic requirement for a flame substantial enough to see its light reflected on the fingernails during the blessing over fire.
Cloves are a traditional choice, though many families use specially blended havdalah spice mixes designed specifically for this purpose. Any pleasant-smelling spice is acceptable according to most opinions.
Yes. Many families use the same cup for both kiddush and havdalah throughout Shabbos, though some prefer to maintain a separate, dedicated cup specifically for the havdalah ritual.
Yes. As a bar mitzvah boy takes on greater responsibility in Shabbos observance, a havdalah set is both a meaningful and practical gift he can use weekly. Browse our bar mitzvah gifts collection for more ideas.
Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before gently removing it to avoid scratching the surface. Regular prompt cleaning after each use prevents wax buildup from becoming more difficult to remove over time.
A complete set offers a coordinated, polished look and keeps everything together in one place. Individual pieces work well if you already own some items or prefer to mix and match styles based on personal preference.