Before we jump in, what is a Havdalah candle... or Havdalah?!
Havdalah marks the close of Shabbat. It includes blessings over wine and fragrant spices, and the Havdalah candle is lit to signal the first creation of the new week. The candle has multiple wicks braided together because the blessing recited is in the plural.
The masterpiece you make with your DIY Havdalah Candle Braiding Kit, which includes 9 individual beeswax candles you can braid, will last for months and months.
Read these steps or watch the full video tutorial HERE.
Step 1: Before you start, Make sure the candles are room temperature. Take the nine candles and lay them in a straight row on the mat with the wicks facing you.
Step 2: Press the top inch and a half of the candles together tightly and make sure there are no spaces.
Step 3: Use one hand to keep the nine edges in place by holding the part closest to you down lightly. With the other hand, divide the nine candles into groups of three. Move the right and center groups to the right, and the left group to the left.
Step 4: Take the group of three on the right and bend it over the center group towards the left. Make sure you bend it all the way to avoid holes in your candles.
Step 5: Take the group of three on the left and bend it over the center group towards the right.
Step 6: Now, take the group of three on the right and bend it over the center towards the left.
Step 7: Take the group of three on the left and bend it over the center group towards the right.
Step 8: Repeat Steps 4-6 to continue braiding until the candles become too short to bend three at a time.
Step 9: When the candles become too short, start bending one at a time as opposed to all three. First take the candle closest to your right and bend it over the next five (the other 2 of the right group and all 3 of the center group). Continue until the candles become too short to bend three at a time.
Final step: Use scissors to cut off the tips to form an even bottom.
That's it! You've now made a Havdalah candle.
