Havdalah, Hebrew for "separation," marks the end of Shabbat and separates it from the week to come. A special braided candle is lighted for the ceremony and a blessing for wine or grape juice is said. Then a box of spices is passed around for all to breathe in the fragrance, a reminder of the sweetness of Shabbat until the next Friday. Learn more about Havdalah with these picture books.
Recommended for children 2 to 4 years old
Ever wonder how a dinosaur celebrates Shabbat? Well, wonder no more! But get ready to clean up after him...
Recommended for children 3 to 4 years old
A young boy visiting his grandparents for Shabbat has a wonderful time despite (or maybe, in part, because of) a rare Georgia snowstorm that causes the power to go out.
Recommended for children 7 to 8 years old
In this Algerian folktale, Yosef is determined to keep the Sabbath--even though he is in the middle of a dangerous desert journey. But he knows he’ll be all right because he is getting help from a powerful friend.
Recommended for children 4 to 5 years old
Jonah got the hiccups--and it’s Shabbat! How can he get his hiccups to quiet down? Everyone has a remedy.
Recommended for children birth to 2 years old
With the sunset on Friday night and the appearance of stars on the following evening, with the kindling of Shabbat candles and the extinguishing of a Havdalah candle, this book shows how light marks the start and finish of the Jewish Sabbath..
Grown-Up Read:
“What I Learned from Celebrating Havdalah with My Family” by author Carla Naumburg
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December 8, 2020