Besamim for havdalah designed like a windmill - .925 silver - Israel - Mid 20th century

A magnificent Jewish spice container / besamim Hand crafted by an artist in israel - circa 1950 Solid silver - signed 925& israel - unique delicate work of silver filigree wires The top opens up to insert the spices Can be used during the ritual ceremony of havdalah Havdalah (Hebrew: הַבְדָּלָה, "separation") is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and ushers in the new week. The ritual involves lighting a special havdalah candle with several wicks, blessing a cup of wine and smelling sweet spices. [1] Shabbat ends on Saturday night after the appearance of three stars in the sky. [2] : 137 Some communities delay the Havdalah in order to prolong Shabbat. Customs\t. Edit Like kiddush, havdalah is recited over a cup of kosher wine or grape juice,[3] although other beverages may be used if wine or grape juice are not available. [2] : 141 Spices, called besamim in Hebrew, often stored in an artistically decorative spice container in order to beautify and honor the mitzvah, are handed around so that everyone can smell the fragrance. [2] : 143 In many Sephardi and Mizrahi communities, branches of aromatic plants are used for this purpose, while Ashkenazim have traditionally used cloves. A special braided Havdalah candle with more than one wick[2] : 145 is lit, and a blessing is recited. [2] : 144 If a special havdalah candle is not available, two candles can be used, and the two flames joined when reciting the blessing. [4] When reciting the words "Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, bo're m'orei ha'esh," it is customary for the participants to hold their hands up to the candle and gaze at the reflection of the light in their fingernails. [2] : 145 At the conclusion of Havdalah, the leftover wine is poured into a small dish and the candle is extinguished in it, as a sign that the candle was lit solely for the mitzvah of Havdalah. Based on Psalms 19: 9, "the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes," some Jews dip a finger into the leftover wine and touch their eyes or pockets with it. Because it was used for a mitzvah, the wine is considered a "segulah," or good omen. After the Havdalah ceremony, it is customary to sing "Eliyahu Hanavi" ("Elijah the Prophet") and/or "Ha. Mavdil Bein Kodesh Le. Chol" (Who separates Holy from ordinary/weekday) , and to bless one another with the words Shavua' tov (Hebrew) or Gute vokh (Yiddish) (Have a good week) . Havdalah is also recited at the conclusion of the following biblical holidays: Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; the first days of Sukkot; Simchat Torah; Passover, both its first and last days; and Shavuot. The blessing over the wine is said, as well as the prayer separating the holy from the everyday, but not the prayers over the havdalah candle or the spices (except for the conclusion of Yom Kippur when the prayer over the havdalah candle is recited) . When a major holiday follows Shabbat, the Havdalah service is recited as part of the holiday kiddush and the blessing over spices is not said. The special braided Havdalah candle is not used since it may not be extinguished after the service, but rather the blessing is recited over the festival candles. The prayer "distinguishes holiness from the everyday" is changed to "distinguishes holiness from holiness" signifying that the holiness of the holiday is of a lesser degree than the holiness of the concluded Shabbat.