we say a blessing - "HaMavdil bein kodesh l'chol" - "You separate between holy and profane."
It thanks God for separating holy things, like Shabbat, from the rest of life. It helps us to savor those things that are holy, to appreciate them more.
This past week, the children were pretty wily after their bath. They needed to go to bed. Five minutes ago.
David and I decided that our little family would not survive the schlep back downstairs for havdalah and then back up again without a major meltdown.
So I brought all the havdalah things upstairs, tucking glowsticks between my two free fingers, sealing grape juice in a pop-top water bottle, and flipping over an old cracked laundry bin to use as a table.
The children were as captivated as ever by the dancing multi-wicked light, the opportunity to drink grape juice, and the passing of the sweet spices.
I thought to myself how grateful I am that, for all the times God separates the holy and the profane,
He probably leaves them stuck together five times as much.
Havdalah and a laundry basket table, kiddush in pajamas, separating challah with fingerpaint-stained fingers, and the mispronounced words of birkat ha-mazon shouted at the top of little voices - the holy and profane joyously smooshed together.
Then, of course, there are the whispered "I love yous" while watching TV, the belly laughs during an impromptu living room dance party, and the spontaneous hugs and kisses between brothers and sisters during everyday playtime.
For all these things, I sometimes say, just to myself, "Barch atah HaShem, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, ha lo mavdil bein kodesh l'chol" - "Blessed are You, God, who keeps the holy and the profane together."
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