Havdalah

Purity of countenance, fellowship of praise,
kindling of braided wax and flaming wicks.

                       Feel, smell, see, hear, taste
                               — for the Lord is good.

Soaked in wine, spices, candle and prayer —
cordiality stirred with gentleness and kindness.

Pot-stirrers of all that is good —
smiles, good humor and tongue.

Havdalah!

12/13/2019

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Chaim Wilson

Date: 3/3/2020 11:00:00 AM

Hi Kim, Great read!It resonates, Shabbos candles are one of my favorites! My wife and I have family I call their bent curved beauty "Dr. Suess" candlesticks! Havdallah is well described in your "Emesdik" poem. We do yoga and the candle meditation is on battery operated candles nothing like the real thing. I'm a Ger, and there's nothing comparable to Judaism in so many arenas, I wish I could write verse as well as you so as to celebrate life's real moments and share! Kol Tuv, Chaim

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 3/3/2020 11:15:00 AM

Keep writing. Study poetry forms. Read and reread your poems. Thank you so much!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/19/2019 1:47:00 AM

"pot-stirrers of all that is good" made me smile.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 12/19/2019 9:22:00 AM

So glad, dear one!

Matthew Anish

Date: 12/14/2019 8:00:00 PM

Havdalah is indeed a nice ceremony! I usually go to pray on Friday nights. Sometimes I go to Central synagogue where they have a Korean woman rabbi!! Peace & Love Best of the Season! Matthew Anish

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 12/14/2019 8:07:00 PM

Sounds so wonderful! Be blessed!

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 12/13/2019 3:47:00 PM

Very joyous imagery of a time-honored rite of sharing, Kim! This sparkling poem is so informative rich. Ty for this PSoup delicious treat. Love and best wishes for the holidays.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 12/13/2019 4:39:00 PM

Thank you, Freddy! Merry Christmas!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/13/2019 12:49:00 PM

Wow. What a pleasant surprise to find 'Havdalah' here on the Soup. It IS a wonderful ceremony, of course. Thank you so much for posting this one, Kim! Never would have thought of making a poem about this myself. Goes to show you: Good for you! Blessings and Joy, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 12/13/2019 12:54:00 PM

I was watching Fiddler on the Roof. I have seen it many times but this time noticed the braided candles so I looked them up and found this gift of Havdalah...had never heard about this...and what a beautiful video I found. Feeling blessed. Even had my husband watch it.