KIDDUSH (Hebrew "sanctification") and Habddlah (He brew, "separation") are in Judaism respectively the beginning and concluding ceremonies of sabbaths and festivals. The former rite includes the blessing or sanctification of the day (Hay Yom), of the wine (`Al Hay-Ydyin) and of the bread (Al Hal-Lehem) and is recited at the first of the three statutory meals. The last two items, which were the earlier, are pronounced at other meals. From these, which, however, possess no sacramental significance, the eucharist may have been derived. The term Habdalah is ap plied (a) to the paragraph in the Amidah of the evening service proclaiming the distinction between light and darkness and mark ing the boundary between sacred and secular days: (b) to the subsequent synagogal and domestic ceremony which contains the four blessings of Habdalah, wine, light (Nei.) and spices (Besa mim). At the conclusion of festivals and fasts alterations and omissions are introduced. The prohibition against kindling fire on sabbath (Exod. xxxv., 3) is modified on festivals (Ib., xii., 16)
hence the festival Habdalah lacks the blessing over the light. The origin of this blessing may, however, be symbolical, as may be that of the spices or myrtles (`Asabim) which are substituted in the East. The spices may recall the bowl of incense used after ban quets in Roman days.