עברית
Halachot and Customs
How much wine should one drink at Havdalah?
Question
Shalom,
I make Havdalah at home, and at the end I drink the wine. How much do I need to drink? I was told that I should drink until I can see the bottom of the cup, and then pour the rest onto the candle. Is that correct?
Thank you
Answer
Shalom,
In order to fulfill the obligation of Havdalah, one must drink a mouthful of wine, called malei lugmav (Mishnah Berurah, siman 296, seif katan 9), meaning the amount of wine that fills the cavity of his mouth when he puffs out one cheek (see Shulchan Aruch, siman 271, seif 13, and Mishnah Berurah, seif katan 66).
It is also best to be careful to drink at least a reviit (81 ml), because if one drinks only malei lugmav(cheekful), there is doubt whether one may recite the after-bracha (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, siman 210, seif 1, and Mishnah Berurah, seif katan 12 and siman 296, seif katan 6).
With blessing,
Hillel Meirs
