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Forum -> Yom Tov / Holidays -> Other special days
What Spice(s) do you use for Havdala?



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Pita




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:11 pm
I am just curious.

I know cloves are traditional. Some use myrtle. I love the smell of Cardamom, so often use that. Once when camping I used a bag of chocolate chip cookies (they smelled great)!

What do you use? Is it always the same thing, or do you switch out?
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amother
Azure


 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:12 pm
I grew up using hadasim leaves but now I am boring and use cloves.

ETA: we also used bits of the branches and said "borei atzay besamim" instead of "borei minay besamin". Former sefardi.
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ra_mom




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:14 pm
Cloves
My pesach jar actually has star anise, not cloves.
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Elfrida




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:25 pm
I like to pick a sprig of either mint or sheba from the bushes growing outside the window. Both, if there's a crowd. In the winter the mint dies down so then I stick to sheba. There is cinnamon or cloves in reserve in the kitchen.

(Sheba is a common Israeli herb, known in english as wormwood or artemisia.)
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estreya




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:32 pm
Mint and/or shiiba (when we can get it) or mix of cinnamon sticks, cloves [and dried orange peel]
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bigsis144




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 4:50 pm
We usually use cinnamon because it’s always on hand.

When I was a kid, we picked a fresh sprig of rosemary from a bush on our yard. So good!
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Pita




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 5:00 pm
Does anyone use perfume?

I love the "borei atzay besamim"!
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avrahamama




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 5:01 pm
Right now cardamon pods.

I like to use orange blossom water or rose water but my husband doesn't.
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freilicheima




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 5:16 pm
Cloves, Cinnamon and Lavender.
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Pita




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 5:41 pm
avrahamama wrote:
Right now cardamon pods.

I like to use orange blossom water or rose water but my husband doesn't.


I LOVE those scents!
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Ima Piano




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 5:45 pm
We use cloves
I didn't know ppl use other things
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Teomima




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 6:09 pm
Grew up using cloves or fresh springs of rosemary. Now we use mostly cinnamon, sometimes rosemary.
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amother
Ginger


 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 6:30 pm
Pita wrote:
Does anyone use perfume?

I love the "borei atzay besamim"!


I think one is not allowed to use perfume, it has to be a plant

It is best not to use manmade substances for the besamim, as some are of the opinion that a blessing should not be recited on them (V’Zos HaBracha 19:4).
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icedcoffee




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 6:45 pm
We use cloves and rosewater!
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Pita




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Mar 04 2021, 9:56 pm
I heard a Chabad rabbi one say that when he worked in a perfume store he would say "borei minei besamim" every time he entered the store. That doesn't mean it can be used for Havdala, but I didn't realize the bracha could be an issue. Thank you for bringing that to my attention!
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