HAVDALLAH
BEESWAX AND PARAFIN WAX SHEET CANDLES
Havdallah Rolled Beeswax Sheet Candles
LEVEL: Preschool to Adult
 
What is Havdallah?
Havdallah is the special time/service on Saturday night.
It starts when you see the first
star in the sky.
This signals the end of Shabbat and the start of the work
week.
Prayers are said over Wine, Spices and Candles.
They are to show a
seperation of the holy from the rest of the week.
There are many special customs and
prayers to make this a special time.(see My
Jewish Resource page for more information.) Havdallah candles come in all
sizes and shapes.
All though have two or more wicks.
They symbolize the
togetherness of the holy and the profane.
Its flame should burn really bright
to symbolize:
boldness and self confidence
love and harmony
that we get by being
together on the Shabbat.
Many people buy very large and since they are
handmade very expensive Havdallah candles.
They do this because the candle is
only used for a couple of minutes and then put out.
So a Havdallah candle
handled properly could last months!
Havdallah Rolled Beeswax Sheet Candles General
Directions:
Use
thin wicks, not wire wicks, as it will cause the wax to burn too hot.Tightly
but gently roll all candles. (Air/bubbles will also cause them to burn too
fast.)
I used a safety metal cutter for cutting cane/polymer clay slices. Safe
around children
Style #1 Twisted taper 8"
Materials for one :
2 8 1/2" Thin (small bleached) wicks
2 right triangle sheets of wax (different colors) made from 1/4
sheets. Total for one candle = 1/2 sheet.
Sheet of Wax paper or parchment paper to work on.
Computer label to write children's name on
Directions:
1 Place sheet long wise.
2 Cut into two 8" squares.
3 Cut each square diagonally. (now you have 4 right
triangles.)
 
4 Take two triangles (place like a right triangle) put one on top of the other but NOT even. Raise second
1/2" or more.
5 place one wick on to the bottom edge of the triangle. Press gently. A small
amount should be left over the edge.
6 Roll and gently press down JUST covering the wick. (about 1/4")
7 Keep rolling and gently pressing VERY little at a time.
8 Place second wick after one or two turns.
9 Roll until done.
10 Gently press and roll out any air pockets.
11 Write child's name on label and place on finished candle.
Style #2 Twisted taper 8" Thin
Material needed for one:
2 different colors of wax = 1/8 size triangles of wax. (rest of materials are the same as
above.)
Directions:
1 Lay each sheet down lengthwise.
2 Cut sheet in middle.
3 Cut half diagnally
4 Cut each 1/4 in half diagnally. (you now have 8 right triangles)
See directions above from step 4 on.
Style #3 3 Thin Tapers Briaded 8"
Materials:
3 pieces of wax 8" by 2"
(The rest of materials are the same as above.)
Directions:
Take sheet of wax, lay down on surface horizontally.
Cut wax into two pieces. (now you have 2 squares)
Take 1 square and cut width into 4 pieces. 8" by 2"
Repeat until you have 3 sheets of different colors.
Roll each sheet seperately into long thin candles
When you have finished and have 3 tapers, place them side by side and
carefully braid them.Gently press ends together so they lay side by
side but are touching/stuck next to each other.
Tips:
After helping 100 plus kids and grown ups make Havdallah candles, I had some
adults have some great success with the braided candles. They DID NOT put the
candles down on the table but braided them in their hands. This prevented the
pressure from being down on the table that caused flattening. If you make
the sheets larger the candles will be stronger and look more like a commercially
made one.
PARAFIN WAX HAVDALLAH BRAIDED
CANDLE.Thanks to Jill W. for designing these great
candles. Beeswax honecomb sheets can be also used and come in more colors.
  
 As the
parafin sheets are much easier to roll and braid, then beeswax, this is easier than it looks.
Three pieces of wax cut into a rectangle are rolled individually with a wick
inside. We used as suggested by the manufactor a waxed NONwire core wick. The
wire would burn the candle too fast.
The candles were layed down or held in your
hand a braided like you would braid your hair or bread.
If the student makes some cracks or
mistakes just roll tightly together and the warmth of your hands will fix it.
If using beeswax honecomb sheets, be sure to keep wrapped in plastic when not
used. (Same for parafin sheets but more so with beeswax.)
Check out my Candle Page for more
information on making candles and some pros and cons of parafin vs. beeswaxFor more information about making candles and
where to buy the supplies check out genwax.com. See my Chanukah candles pages for
information on making Chanukah and rolled taper candles using beeswax or parafin
wax.
About.com - Candles and Judaism
Prayers and candle lighting times.
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