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DAAT · LEVEL 1 — INTRODUCTION
Siman רצ״ו · 8 Seifim
Havdalah on wine (motzaei Shabbat) — to discover and understand
סימן רצ״ו
דִּינֵי הַבְדָּלָה עַל הַיַּיִן
🌱 Beginners Level · מתחילים
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First approach to Siman רצ״ו: full Hebrew text of the Mechaber, fluent English translation, pedagogical explanations of the halachic concepts, modern practical cases and summary.
Topic: Havdalah on wine (motzaei Shabbat)
Source: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים סימן רצ״ו (8 seifim)
Compilation: רב יוסף חיים סממה
DAAT · daattorah.com
📑 Study outline
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch — the 8 seifim of the Mechaber
2. General context
3. Key halachic concepts
4. Detailed seifim
5. Mishnah Berurah
6. The Rama's position
7. Modern practical cases
8. Practical summary
9. Comprehension questions
1. The text of the Shulchan Aruch
Siman רצ״ו contains 8 seifim of the Mechaber codifying the laws relating to havdalah on wine (motzaei Shabbat).
Seif א — The order of havdalah: YBN"H + cup not "pagum"
דיני הבדלה על היין. ובו ח סעיפים:
סדר הבדלה יין בשמים נר הבדלה וסימנך יבנ״ה וצריך ליזהר שלא יהא הכוס פגום: הגה ונהגו לומר קודם הבדלה שעושים בבית הנה אל ישועתי וגו' כוס ישועות אשא וגו' ליהודים היתה אורה וגו' לסי' טוב ובשעת הבדלה יתנו עיניהם בכוס ובנר ונוהגין לשפוך מכוס של יין על הארץ קודם שיסיים בורא פרי הגפן כדי שלא יהיה הכוס פגום וטעם השפיכה דאמרי' כל בית שלא נשפך בו יין כמים אין בו סי' ברכה ועושין כן לסי' טוב בתחלת השבוע גם שופכים מן הכוס לאחר הבדלה ומכבין בו הנר ורוחצים בו עיניו משום חבוב מצוה:
Translation: "The order of havdalah: Yayin (wine), Besamim (spices), Ner (candle), Havdalah — and your mnemonic is "YBN"H" (= יבנ״ה, same letters as the city Yavneh). One must be careful that the cup is not "pagum" (used/blemished). Rama: We have the custom to say before havdalah at home: "Hinei Kel yeshu'ati..." + "Kos yeshu'os essa..." + "La-yehudim hayta orah..." — for a good omen. During havdalah, one looks at the cup and the candle. We have the custom to spill a little from the cup on the ground before completing Borei pri ha-gafen, so that the cup not be pagum. The reason for the spilling: "Every home where wine is not poured like water has no sign of blessing" — we do it for a good sign at the start of the week. We also spill from the cup after havdalah, extinguish the candle in it, and wash our eyes with it — for chibuv mitzvah (love of the mitzvah)."
The YBN"H (יבנ״ה) mnemonic: 4 stages of havdalah in this order:
- Yayin (יין) — "Borei pri ha-gafen" on the cup.
- Besamim (בשמים) — "Borei minei besamim" on the spices.
- Ner (נר) — "Borei me'orei ha-eish" on the candle.
- Havdalah (הבדלה) — "ha-Mavdil bein kodesh le-chol" (the great havdalah).
"Kos pagum": a used cup / from which one has drunk. For havdalah and Kiddush, the cup must be full, intact, undrunk. If one has drunk part: (a) one pours a little more wine to "fix" it, or (b) takes a new cup. Source: Berachos 51a, Pesachim 105b.
What this seif says:
- The order of havdalah: wine, besamim, candle, havdalah — the mnemonic יבנ״ה.
- And one must take care that the cup not be pagum (already drunk from).
- Rama's gloss: the custom is to say before havdalah הנה אל ישועתי, כוס ישועות אשא, ליהודים היתה אורה — for a good sign.
- Rama's gloss: during havdalah one rests one's eyes on the cup and on the candle.
Seif ב — Not on bread; beer OK if chamar medinah
אין מבדילין על הפת אבל על השכר מבדילין אם הוא חמר מדינה וה״ה לשאר משקין חוץ מן המים: הגה וטוב יותר להבדיל על כוס פגום של יין מעל שכר (אבודרהם) ונהגו להבדיל במוצאי פסח על שכר ולא על יין משום דחביב עליו ובי״ט שחל להיות במוצאי שבת שיש בו קידוש שהוא נאמר על הפת יש אומרים שאגב הקידוש מבדילין גם כן עליו וי״א שיותר טוב לומר הקידוש והבדלה שניהם על השכר הגה [והסברא ראשונה עיקר]:
Translation: "One does not make havdalah on bread. But on beer (shechar), one makes havdalah if it is chamar medinah (honorable drink of the country). And similarly for other beverages, except water. Rama: It is preferable to make havdalah on a pagum cup of wine than on beer (Avudraham). And we have the practice of making havdalah on motzaei Pesach on beer and not on wine, because beer is dear/pleasant [after a week of Pesach without beer]. And on Yom Tov falling on motzaei Shabbat (where there is Kiddush that can be said on bread): some say that along with Kiddush, one also says havdalah on bread. But others say it is better to say both (Kiddush and havdalah) on beer. Rama: And the first opinion is the main one."
Hierarchy for havdalah:
- Whole wine (not pagum) — ideal.
- Pagum wine or fresh wine added — preferable to beer.
- Beer / other beverages (chamar medinah) — if no wine.
- Bread — forbidden for havdalah (unlike Kiddush).
- Water — absolutely excluded.
What this seif says:
- One does not make havdalah over bread.
- Over beer — yes, if it is chamar medinah; and likewise other drinks, excepting water.
- Rama's gloss: it is better to make havdalah over a pagum cup of wine than over beer.
- Rama's gloss: and the custom is to make havdalah at the departure of Pesach over beer and not over wine — since it is dear to him.
Seif ג — No drink available: defer or use for Birkas ha-Mazon
אם אין לו יין ולא שכר ושאר משקין י״א שמותר לו לאכול וי״א שאם מצפה שיהיה לו למחר לא יאכל עד למחר שיבדיל ואם אין לו אלא כוס אחד ואינו מצפה שיהיה לו למחר מוטב שיאכל קודם שיבדיל ויברך עליו ברכת המזון ואח״כ יבדיל עליו ממה שיברך ברכת המזון בלא כוס לדברי האומרים דבהמ״ז טעונה כוס ולדברי האומרים דאינו טעונה כוס לא יאכל עד שיבדיל ומיירי שכוס זה לא היה בו אלא רביעית בצמצום וכבר היה מזוג כדינו שאם היה משים בו מים יותר לא היה ראוי לשתייה שאל״כ לדברי הכל מבדיל תחלה ושותה ממנו מעט ומוסיף עליו להשלימו לרביעית ומברך עליו ברכת המזון:
Translation (summary): "If one has no wine, beer, or other beverages — some say he may eat [without havdalah], others say that if he expects to have some tomorrow, he shall not eat until tomorrow to make havdalah. And if he has only one cup and does not expect to have one tomorrow: it is better that he eat first and bench (Birkas ha-Mazon) on it, then make havdalah on it — according to those who say BHM requires a cup. According to those who say it does not — he shall not eat until havdalah. Case of the cup with a revi'is exactly at the limit and already mixed..."
Practical rules:
- No drink + expects tomorrow: wait until tomorrow for havdalah. Do not eat in the meantime (Sunday morning remains the time for havdalah).
- One cup only + no hope for tomorrow: eat first → BHM on the cup → havdalah on it.
- Idea: do not lose havdalah for lack of cup — incorporate it into the daily liturgy.
What this seif says:
- If he has neither wine, nor beer, nor other drink: some say he may eat;
- and some say that if he expects to have some tomorrow, he shall not eat until tomorrow, so as to make havdalah.
- And if he has only one cup and expects none tomorrow — better that he eat first, say birkas hamazon over it, and then make havdalah over it.
Seif ד — Not enough money for Kiddush + havdalah: prioritize havdalah
מי שאין ידו משגת לקנות יין לקידוש ולהבדלה יקנה להבדלה דקידוש אפשר בפת:
Translation: "One who cannot afford to buy wine for Kiddush and havdalah — shall buy for havdalah, since Kiddush can be said on bread [like Kiddush on challah]."
Logic: Kiddush has an alternative (bread → "lechem mishneh"), whereas havdalah has no alternative without liquid. So in need, one directs resources to havdalah.
What this seif says:
- One whose means do not suffice to buy wine for kiddush and for havdalah —
- he buys for havdalah: for kiddush can be made over bread.
Seif ה — Chanukah + havdalah: Chanukah first
אם אין ידו משגת לקנות שמן לנר חנוכה ויין להבדיל נר חנוכה קודם:
Translation: "If one cannot afford to buy both oil for Ner Chanukah and wine for havdalah — Ner Chanukah first [priority]."
Why is Ner Chanukah prioritized? Because there is pirsumei nissa (publicizing the miracle) — a mitzvah with collective and public force. Havdalah is more "personal" and can be deferred or made on chamar medinah. It is a halachah codified in Shabbos 23b.
What this seif says:
- If his means do not suffice to buy oil for the Chanukah light and wine for havdalah —
- the Chanukah light takes precedence.
Seif ו — Position (seated/standing) + right/left hand
אומר הבדלה מיושב: הגה וי״א מעומד [אגודה וכל בו ואגור] וכן נוהגים במדינות אלו. ואוחז היין בימין וההדס בשמאל ומברך על היין ושוב נוטל ההדס בימין והיין בשמאל ומברך על ההדס ומחזיר היין לימינו:
Translation: "One says havdalah seated. Rama: And some say standing (Aguda, Kol Bo, Agur), and so is our practice [Ashkenazi]. And one holds the wine in the right hand and the hadas (myrtle = besamim) in the left hand, blesses on the wine, then takes the hadas in the right and the wine in the left, blesses on the hadas, and returns the wine to the right."
Sephardi/Ashkenazi difference on posture:
- Mechaber (Sephardi): seated — as for a meal ("kove'a se'udah").
- Rama (Ashkenazi): standing — like accompanying the departure of a king (Shabbos = Queen).
What this seif says:
- One says havdalah seated.
- Rama's gloss: and some say standing — and such is the custom in these lands.
- Rama's gloss: he holds the wine in the right hand and the hadas in the left, and blesses over the wine; then he exchanges hands to bless over the hadas, and returns the wine to his right.
Seif ז — Redo havdalah at home even if heard in shul
אפילו שמעו כל בני הבית הבדלה בבית הכנסת אם נתכוונו שלא לצאת מבדילין בבית:
Translation: "Even if all members of the household heard havdalah in shul, if they had the intention not to be yotzei, they make havdalah at home."
Force of inverse kavanah: hearing the chazzan's havdalah does not automatically release from the obligation. One needs positive kavanah to be yotzei. If one had the intention not to be yotzei (in order to make havdalah at home with personal berachos, for the children, for the family mitzvah, etc.) — one redoes it. It is the standard halachah of "shomeia ke-oneh" (hearing = answering) which depends on kavanah.
What this seif says:
- Even if all the household heard havdalah in shul —
- if they intended not to fulfil their obligation, they make havdalah at home.
Seif ח — Women are obligated (with discussion)
נשים חייבות בהבדלה כשם שחייבות בקידוש ויש מי שחולק: הגה ע״כ לא יבדילו לעצמן רק ישמעו הבדלה מן האנשים:
Translation: "Women are obligated in havdalah as they are obligated in Kiddush. And there is one who disagrees. Rama: For this reason, they shall not make havdalah for themselves, but shall listen to havdalah from the men."
Machlokes between Mechaber and Rama:
- Mechaber (Sephardi): women obligated like men. They may make havdalah for themselves — current Sephardi practice depends on the Rav.
- Rama (Ashkenazi): by doubt (Yesh mi she-cholek), it is better to listen from men. If no men available, they may do it themselves (cf. MB).
Full text: these 8 seifim constitute the entire codification of the Mechaber on this topic.
What this seif says:
- Women are obligated in havdalah — just as they are obligated in kiddush.
- And there is one who disagrees.
- Rama's gloss: therefore they should not make havdalah for themselves, but hear havdalah from the men.
2. General context
What does this siman discuss?
Our siman is the central siman of havdalah on the cup at motzaei Shabbat (at home). It codifies: the order of the 4 berachos (wine, besamim, ner, havdalah), the usable beverages (wine, chamar medinah, not bread or water), cases of lack (priority havdalah vs. Kiddush, vs. Chanukah), the posture (seated/standing), and the obligation of women.
Main Talmudic source: Pesachim 102b-104a — sequence of berachos, Berachos 51a — kos pagum, Shabbos 23b — priorities Chanukah vs. havdalah.
Place in Hilchos Shabbos
- Siman 295 — Havdalah by the chazzan in shul
- Siman 296 — Havdalah on wine at home (our siman)
- Siman 297 — Besamim (spices)
- Siman 298 — Candle (ner) for havdalah
- Siman 299 — Not eating before havdalah
3. Key halachic concepts
1. יבנ״ה (YBN"H): mnemonic for the order of the 4 berachos — Yayin, Besamim, Ner, Havdalah.
2. כוס פגום (Kos Pagum): a used cup / from which one has drunk. Forbidden lechatchilah for havdalah/Kiddush. Repair: add a little fresh wine.
3. חמר מדינה (Chamar Medinah): "wine of the country" — honorable beverage substitute for wine (beer, whisky, cognac). Grape juice is not among them: it is wine, and its berachah is Borei pri ha-gefen (או״ח רע״ב:ב).
4. פרסומי ניסא (Pirsumei Nissa): publicizing the miracle — principle that makes Ner Chanukah prioritized over havdalah (seif ה).
5. חיבוב מצוה (Chibuv Mitzvah): "love of the mitzvah" — minhag of spilling, extinguishing the candle in the cup, washing eyes with the remainder (Rama).
6. שומע כעונה (Shomeia ke-Oneh): "one who hears = one who answers" — principle by which one is yotzei by hearing. Requires kavanah; possible to refuse to be yotzei (seif ז).
7. הדס בשמאל: minhag to hold the myrtle (hadas = classic besamim) in the left hand during the berachah on the wine, then in the right for the besamim berachah.
4. Overview of the 8 seifim
| Seif | Topic | Key halachah |
|---|---|---|
| א | YBN"H order + kos pagum | 4 berachos in order; spill a little before + after |
| ב | Wine or beer | Pagum wine > beer; not on bread; not on water |
| ג | No drink | Wait until tomorrow; or BHM on the cup + havdalah on it |
| ד | Kiddush vs. havdalah | Priority havdalah (Kiddush on bread possible) |
| ה | Chanukah vs. havdalah | Chanukah prioritized (pirsumei nissa) |
| ו | Posture + hands | Seated (Sef.) / Standing (Ashk.); what one blesses on = right hand |
| ז | Redo at home | If kavanah not to be yotzei in shul → redo |
| ח | Women | Obligated (Mechaber); listen from men (Rama) |
5. Mishnah Berurah — first entries
The Mishnah Berurah has 36 entries on this siman. Here are the first ones:
משנה ברורה (א) — (א) סדר הבדלה וכו' - הנה הרמב״ם סובר דמצות הבדלה היא ד״ת כמו קידוש והוא בכלל זכור את יום השבת לקדשו שצריך לזכור אותו ולקדשו בין בכניסתו ובין ביציאתו בכניסה בקידוש וביציאה בהבדלה לומר שהוא מובדל בקדושה בראש ובסוף משאר ימים וי״א שהוא מד״ס ואסמכוהו אקרא. וצריך להיות ג״כ בכוס כמו בקידוש ואם הבדיל בתפלה לכו״ע הבדלה על הכוס דרבנן:
משנה ברורה (ב) — (ב) פגום - היינו שאם שתה אחד מן היין מתחלה נפגם להבדלה וכמו לענין קידוש לעיל בסימן רע״א ס״י ע״ש במ״ב ועיין באחרונים בסימן קפ״ג שאם הכוס בעצמו פגום אין להקפיד עליו אם אין לו אחר:
משנה ברורה (ג) — (ג) יתנו עיניהם בכוס - היינו המבדיל וגם השומעים העונים אמן כדי שלא יסיחו דעתם:
For the full text of the 36 entries, see Sefaria: Mishnah Berurah 296.
6. The Rama's position
Wherever the Rama adds a הגהה (gloss), he generally clarifies the Ashkenazi nuances compared to the Sephardi Mechaber.
Important additions of the Rama:
- Seif א: say Hinei Kel yeshu'ati + Kos yeshu'os essa + La-yehudim... before havdalah; spill a little for a good omen; extinguish the candle in the spilled cup + wash the eyes (chibuv mitzvah).
- Seif ב: better havdalah on pagum wine than on beer; minhag of motzaei Pesach on beer (chaviv).
- Seif ו: standing for havdalah (Ashkenazi) vs. seated (Sephardi).
- Seif ח: women do not make havdalah for themselves — they listen from men.
7. Modern practical cases
| Situation | Practical halachah |
|---|---|
| Standard order of havdalah | Hinei Kel yeshu'ati → Borei pri ha-gafen → Borei minei besamim → Borei me'orei ha-eish → Ha-Mavdil bein kodesh le-chol → drink the cup |
| No besamim | Skip this berachah. Continue with ner + Mavdil. |
| No candle | Skip this berachah. But MB prefers to try to find a candle (light 2 wicks, or 2 candles, etc.). |
| Pagum wine / used cup | Add a little fresh wine — restore it as non-pagum. |
| Chanukah + havdalah — little money | Ner Chanukah first; havdalah on chamar medinah or wait. |
| Kiddush + havdalah — little money | Havdalah first; Kiddush on bread ("Lechem mishneh"). |
| Spill a little wine on the ground | Ashkenazi minhag (Rama). Not obligatory but traditional; spill a little before blessing and after. |
| Extinguish the candle in the cup + wash eyes | Chibuv mitzvah. Traditional minhag; not halachically obligatory. |
| Woman alone, husband not there | Makes havdalah herself (all communities). Otherwise, wait until tomorrow or listen by phone (cf. Rav). |
Practical rule: havdalah is a family mitzvah around the cup. Many aspects are minhagim (spilling, extinguishing) — the essential is the 4 berachos in the YBN"H order on an intact cup.
8. Practical summary of the Siman
The 8 key lessons of Siman רצ״ו:
- YBN"H: Yayin, Besamim, Ner, Havdalah — the canonical order.
- Non-pagum cup — prefer pagum wine to beer, but repair if possible.
- Not on bread, not on water — wine > chamar medinah > nothing.
- No wine, expects tomorrow: wait. Otherwise: BHM then havdalah on the cup.
- Priorities: havdalah > Kiddush; Chanukah > havdalah.
- Posture: Sephardi seated, Ashkenazi standing.
- At home: one redoes it even if heard in shul, if kavanah not to be yotzei.
- Women: obligated (Mechaber); listen from men (Rama).
9. Comprehension questions
Check your understanding:
- What does the YBN"H mnemonic mean and what is its link to Yavneh?
- What is a "kos pagum" and how does one repair it?
- Can one make havdalah on beer? On bread? On water?
- If one has little money: Kiddush or havdalah priority? Chanukah or havdalah?
- Why do Ashkenazim make havdalah standing and Sefardim seated?
- If one heard havdalah in shul, can one redo it at home?
- What is the status of women according to the Mechaber vs. the Rama?
- What are the Ashkenazi minhagim of "spilling" and "chibuv mitzvah"?
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