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If you've converted to a Torah observant life like Ruth did, perhaps you'd enjoy learning to do Havdalah, to mark the end of Shabbat.
The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. It should be performed no earlier than nightfall on Saturday night. Nightfall is the time when three stars can be seen in the sky. It is normally about 45 minutes to an hour after sundown.
You will need three things for this ritual: a glass of wine or other liquid, some fragrant spices, and a special Havdalah candle. The candle should have at least two wicks to symbolize the weaving of the end of Shabbat into the beginning of the new week. You can warm two thin candles in the microwave, then twisted them together and melted any cracks that developed with a lighter to make your own. Since this candle only burns for a short time before it is extinguished, it will be used for many Shabbats before it must be replaced.
Wine
The first of the four havdalah blessings is made over wine or another liquid. If the blessing is made over wine, recite this blessing:
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei p’riy ha-gafen. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Amen)
If the blessing is made over another liquid, recite this blessing:
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, she-ha-kol nih'yeh bid'varo. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, by Whose Will all things exist. (Amen)
Spices
The second blessing is recited over fragrant spices. The spices represent a compensation for the loss of the special Sabbath spirit. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei minei b'samim. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, who creats varieties of spices. (Amen)
Fire
The third blessing is recited over the special, multi-wicked Havdalah candle.
Lighting a flame is a vivid way of marking the distinction between the Sabbath and the weekday, because we cannot kindle a flame on the Sabbath.
After the blessing is recited, hold your hands up to the flame with curved fingers, so you can see the shadow of your fingers on your palms. This is done because it is considered improper to recite a blessing for something and then not use the thing.
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei m'orei ha-eish. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, who creates the light of the fire. (Amen)
Havdalah
The final blessing is the havdalah blessing itself, the blessing over the separation of different things. The blessing is recited over the wine. After the blessing is complete, the wine is drunk. A few drops of wine are used to extinguish the flame from the candle... so when you pour it, allow it to overflow into the saucer under the cup.
(pour the wine to overflowing as you say...) Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, ha-mavdil bayn kodesh l'chol,
Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular,
bayn or l'choshekh, bayn yisrael la-amim, bayn yom ha-sh'vi'i l'shayshet y'may ha-ma'aseh
between light and dark, between Yisrael and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of labor < br />
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu, ha-mavdil bayn kodesh l'chol. (Amein)
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular. (Amein)
(now extinguish the candle by dunking the wicks into the wine on the saucer)
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