- Shabbat and Holidays
- Havdalah
Fire of Havdalah Reflecting on Nails
Question
Can you please explain the reason for having the light of the candle reflect against our finger nails?
Answer
The simple Halachic reason is that we want to benefit from the light to say the Bracha of Meorei Haesh. To show that we are benefiting from the light we look at our fingers to tell the difference between the nails and the skin and to show in that way that the light is bright enough to benefit from it.
However there are esoteric reasons for that custom as well.
The Midrash says that Adam when he sinned he looked at himself and realized he is naked apart from his nails – and that happened on Motzaei Shabbat.
Similarly we want to grow like the nails that constantly grow and we do it on Havdala for a good sign for the coming up new week.

Benching After Maariv on Motzaei Shabbat
Various Rabbis | 4 Cheshvan 5765

Pre Havdala Melacha
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 23 Tammuz 5764

Besamim for Havdalah
Various Rabbis | Iyyar 6, 5768

Havdallah Shabbat vs. Havdallah Yom Tov
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 5 Cheshvan 5763

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
Former Rabbi of Jewish congregation in Perth, Australia

Barefoot Bracha
11 Tammuz 5764

Meat and Dairy prohibition
10 Tammuz 5764

Shaving During the Three Weeks
17 Tammuz 5764

Bnei Noah prayer
14 Tammuz 5764

Happiness in the month of Adar
Various Rabbis | Shevat 29, 5775

colors in creation & Tanach
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 3, 5782

Shaitels for non-married women
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 29, 5779

conversion of pregnant woman
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Shevat 14, 5776

Employer stealing from / cheating customers
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 18, 5783

Thank you
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 17, 5783

Using Father's or Mother's Name in Judaism
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 4, 5783
