How to Make a Homemade Havdalah Candle
Recently, I shared a tutorial on how to create a b’samim (spice) pouch for your Havdalah celebration. This week, I’m excited to walk you through making your very own Havdalah candle—a meaningful addition to your Shabbat traditions.
What is Havdalah?
Havdalah, meaning "separation" in Hebrew, marks the conclusion of Shabbat once three stars are visible in the night sky. It’s a tradition that separates the “holy” from the “mundane”—Shabbat from the week ahead.
Just as Shabbat begins with the lighting of white candles on Friday evening, Havdalah concludes with a beautiful, colorful, intertwined candle. This transition, filled with blessings, creates a sensory and spiritual rhythm that frames the sacredness of Shabbat.
When my daughter was a newborn, I didn’t know any nursery rhymes, so I sang her the Havdalah melodies instead. These ancient Hebrew liturgies remain a precious part of our family’s faith journey. If you’d like to learn them, I recommend downloading this app with audio recordings or checking out the blessings in the back of this Bible.
Havdalah is how we put Shabbat to bed.
What You’ll Need for Havdalah
Havdalah is a multi-sensory experience, incorporating:
A glass of wine or grape juice (Kedem Blush is our family favorite)
A b’samim pouch (check out my tutorial to make your own!)
A Havdalah candle (let’s make one together below!)
Here’s How to Make a Homemade Havdalah Candle
1. Gather Your Wax Supplies
To simplify the process, I used this Beeswax Candle Rolling Kit from Amazon. It includes everything you need: pre-colored sheets, wicks, and instructions. Plus, the variety of colors allows for creativity that matches different seasons or personal preferences.
2. Choose Your Colors
Select the colors you want for your candle. Each color represents one braid in the candle. For example, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are perfect for harvest season, while cool tones like blue and green are beautiful for seedtime.
Choose the number of colors based on how many strands you want to braid. Share your combinations with me on Instagram @Ourshabbathome—I’d love to see them!
3. Cut the Wax and Wicks
Cut each wax sheet into 2-inch-wide strips. Then, cut the wicks 1 inch longer than the wax strips. I used my old fabric cutter, and it worked perfectly (no judgment from my sewing friends, please!).
4. Warm the Wax and Roll Each Strand
Using a hairdryer, warm each wax strip slightly—just enough to make it pliable without melting. Place a wick in the center of each strip and gently roll it into a candle strand.
Tip: If the wax crumbles, it’s too cold; if it sticks to the surface, it’s too warm. Adjust the heat as needed.
5. Braid the Strands
Here’s the tricky (but fun!) part. Lay the strands side by side and warm them briefly with the hairdryer so they stick together at the top. Slowly braid the strands, reheating as necessary to prevent breaking.
For a 5-strand braid, focus on moving the outermost strands toward the center. If you'd like a video tutorial, leave a comment on this post—if there’s enough interest, I’ll create one for you!
6. Use Your Candle for Havdalah
Bring your homemade candle to your next Havdalah celebration. Whether in your home or with your community, this candle is a beautiful way to honor the transition from Shabbat to the week ahead.
My First Havdalah Experience
My first introduction to Havdalah was at Baruch HaShem in Dallas, TX, where the service included blessings and Israeli dancing. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced and left a lasting impression.
Every family and community has its own way of celebrating Havdalah, but the beauty of this tradition lies in its multi-sensory elements: the light of the candle, the fragrance of the spices, and the taste of wine or grape juice.
Share Your Creations!
Crafting your faith is such a joy! If you make a Havdalah candle using this guide, I’d love to see your creations. Share your photos and color combinations with me on Instagram @Ourshabbathome.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to make Havdalah even more special for your family. Shavua tov and blessings as you transition into a new week!
