When we make the blessing on the havdalah candle during the post-Shabbat havdalah ceremony, there is a custom to gaze at our fingernails in the light of the candle.When we make the blessing on the havdalah candle during the post-Shabbat havdalah ceremony, there is a custom to gaze at our fingernails in the light of the candle.Benefitting From the Flame. The basic reason for this custom is that one should should not recite a blessing over the fire unless he is close enough to its light to benefit from it and differentiate between the coins of one country and the coins of another.(1) Therefore, people examine their nails in the candlelight, since it takes a similar amount of light to differentiate between the nails and the skin (2) (remember, before havdalah one shouldn’t have any coins on him).Sign of BlessingAs we prepare to embark on the adventures of another week, we gaze at our fingernails, which are a sign of abundant blessing, as they never stop growing. (3) Remnant of Adam and Eve’s ClothingAccording to the Midrash, originally Adam and Eve were created with translucent nail-like suits that served as clothing. (4) As we explained in Why Do We Make a Blessing on Fire at Havdalah ? one of the reasons we make this blessing is that when the sun began to set at the termination of Shabbat, darkness set in for the first time, terrifying Adam, who thought that the darkness would engulf him. G‑d then inspired Adam, who took two stones and struck them against each other, and fire burst forth. At that moment, Adam praised G‑d and said the blessing “Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d . . . who creates the lights of fire.”When Adam looked at himself in the fire, he saw that his nail-like garment was gone, except for the actual nails.(5) Nails of Fire According to one Midrashic tradition, the fire Adam created actually came out of his fingernails. We therefore gaze at our nails when we make the blessing on the fire.(6) Subduing Negative Forces Some explain that as we enter the mundane week, we must once again combat negativity, strife and challenge. The negative spiritual forces are at times associated with the nails (which is why nail clippings must be disposed of in a special manner, etc.). When we gaze at the fingernails in the light of the havdalah candle, we symbolically “weaken” their energy. (7) What to Look at ? In addition to the fingernails, it is also customary to look at the palms, because there is a sign that leads to blessing in the creases on one’s palms. (8) Therefore, the custom is to clench the four fingers over the thumb so that the nails and palm can be viewed at once. (9) There are some, such as Chabad, (10) who have the custom to then spread out their four fingers and look at the backs of their hands, gazing at their nails. (11) When to Look ?There are different customs as to whether one should gaze at his fingernails before or after the blessing is said.The debate is dependent upon the reason for the blessing (see Why Do We Make a Blessing on Fire at Havdalah?). If it is primarily a blessing of praise (birkat hashevach) for the natural phenomenon of fire, then the blessing should follow the experience, just like the blessings after lightening and thunder.If, however, the reason for the blessing is similar to a blessing of benefit (birkat hanehenin) like the blessing over food, then we should first make the blessing and then enjoy the fire.The more common practice (and the standard Chabad custom) is to gaze at the fingernails only after the blessing of fire is made. (12)
NOTES
1. Talmud, Berachot 51b and 53b. 2. See Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer, ch. 20; Siddur Rav Amram Gaon; Rosh, Talmud, Berachot 8: 3;Tur, Orach Chaim 298; Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chaim 298:6.3. Rav Hai Gaon, quoted in Shaarei Simchah, Hilchot Havdalah; Tur, Orach Chaim 298; Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chaim 298:6. 4. Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer 14; Bereishit Rabbah 20:12. 5. Midrash, cited by Kol Bo 41. Based on this reason, some have the custom that women don’t gaze at their fingernails, since it was Eve who first sinned with the forbidden fruit—see Badei HaShulchan96:8. 6. Midrash, cited Kol Bo 41.7. Sefer Taamei Haminhagim 415. 8. Rav Hai Gaon, quoted in Tur, Orach Chaim 298. 9. This follows the teaching of the Zohar that you look only at the outer side of the fingers where the nails are, but not the inner side of the fingers. See Zohar 1:20b; Rema, Orach Chaim 298:3. Additionally, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi writes in his Siddur that one’s fingers should cover his thumb. See Piskei Siddur Admur HaZaken. 10. The Lubavitcher Rebbe would curl his fingers over his thumb, with his palm facing upward, and look at his nails. Afterwards he would turn his hands over, extend his fingers, and look at his nails again. 11. See Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chaim 298:6. 12. See Siddur HaTanya; Siddur Yaavetz; Siddur HaGra; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 96:9; Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 5:9:9. See, however, Mishnah Berurah 296:31, who holds that one should make the blessing only after gazing at his fingernails.BY YEHUDA SHURPIN