#164: The Latest Time for Havdalah

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. If one was unable to recite Havdalah on Motzai Shabbat, there is a machloket whether one may recite Havdalah through Sunday or Tuesday (Shulchan Aruch 299:6). Ashkenazim follow the lenient opinion that one can recite it until Tuesday (Rema; Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 58:20). Some Sephardim are strict not to recite Havdalah after Sunday (Kaf Hachaim 299:26).
  2. All agree that the berachah and smelling of “besamim” (spices) and the berachah of “Borei Meorei Ha’eish” on fire are only recited on Motzai Shabbat. Therefore, one who recites Havdalah on Sunday for some reason (such as where Shabbat ends too late in the summer to stay awake, which is common in northern Scandinavia and Russia), recites only the berachah on the wine and the berachah of Hamavdil, and omits the berachot on besamim and fire.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.