Holidays
Havdalah on Motzaei Yom Kippur, How Is It Done?
Question
With the rabbi's permission,
I would like to ask a question about Havdalah on Yom Kippur.
1. If Yom Kippur falls on Motzaei Shabbat, do we make Havdalah? If so, how is it done?
2. Why is Havdalah after Yom Kippur made over fire that already exists?
1. This year, please G-d, Yom Kippur will fall on Shabbat. Do we make Havdalah with fire that was lit before Shabbat, or is that not necessary? Can it be done as usual, like any Havdalah?
Thank you, Rabbi
Answer
Hello and blessings
This year, when Yom Kippur falls on Motzaei Shabbat, Havdalah is made like on any Motzaei Shabbat, and there is no need for existing fire.
On every Motzaei Shabbat we recite the blessing over fire, since fire was first created on Motzaei Shabbat; therefore, one may recite the blessing over any fire.
On Motzaei Yom Kippur, we recite the blessing because all day long we were prohibited from using fire, and now, on Motzaei Yom Kippur, its use has been permitted to us; therefore, we bless only over fire that existed during Yom Kippur and there was a technical possibility to use it, but it was forbidden only for halachic reasons. However, a new fire that did not exist during Yom Kippur cannot be blessed over, because it was not present at all during Yom Kippur and was not permitted now.
With blessings,
Benjamin Shmueli
