סימן צו סעיף ג
כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמִצְוָה לְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת הַשַׁבָּת בִּכְנִיסָתָהּוֹ עַל כּוֹס יַיִן, כָּךְ מִצְוָה לְקַדְֹּשָּהּ בִּיצִיאָתָהּ עַל כּוֹס יַיִן, דְּהַיְנוּ בְּהַבְדָלָה. וּמְבָרְכִים גַּם עַל הַבְּשָׂמִים וְעַל הַנֵּר. וְגַם נָשִׁים חַיָּבוֹת בְּהַבְדָלָה, וְעַל כֵּן יִשְׁמְעוּ הֵיטֵב בִּרְכַּת הַבְדָּלָה. בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין לִמְצוֹא יַיִן מַבְדִּילִין עַל שֵׁכָר אוֹ מֶעד [מֵי דְבַשׁ] אוֹ שְׁאָר מַשְׁקֶה, שֶׁהוּא חֲמַר מְדִינָה (עַיֵן לְעֵיל סִימָן מ"ה סָעִיף א'), חוּץ מִן הַמָּיִם (רצ"ו).
Just as it is a mitzvah to sanctify Shabbos upon its arrival over a cup of wine, so, too, it is a mitzvah to sanctify it at its departure over a cup of wine, which is done at Havdalah.11The author seems to imply that just as Kiddush is a mitzvah de’oraisa, so, too, is Havdalah. Many Rishonim (Mefaresh, Tosafos Rid, Tosafos Harosh from Rabbeinu Klonimus [Maseches Nazir 4a]) hold this view. However, the Rashba (vol. IV Resp. 108) implies that though the Havdalah blessing is de’oraisa, the cup of wine is derabanan. Still others hold that the entire mitzvah of Havdalah is derabanan. [Rabbeinu Tam, Shibolei Haleket, Magid Mishnah 29: 1] A berachah is also recited over aromatic spices and over a candle. Women, too, are obligated [to recite] Havdalah.12Just as they are obligated in kiddush. [Shulchan Aruch 296: 8] Others maintain that Havdalah is זְמַן גְרָמָא, i.e., a mitzvah that is dependent on a prescribed time period, from which women are exempt. [See Shulchan Aruch ibid. and Mishnah Berurah.] Due to this controversy, it is preferable that, if possible, women hear Havdalah recited by a man. [Rema; Magein Avraham, Eliyahu Rabbah; see also Rabbi Akiva Eiger— Orach Chaim 488: 9] When reciting Havdalah for themselves, women probably should not recite the blessing for fire over the Havdalah candle. [Biur Halachah] They should, therefore, be very attentive to the Havdalah berachah. When wine is unavailable, Havdalah is recited over beer or mead, or any beverage considered a popular drink with the exception of water.13Tea and coffee are commonplace and are like water. [Mishnah Berurah 296: 10—unlike Chayei Adam who permits coffee when nothing else is available.] The use of milk is questionable. [Maharsham in Commentary on Orechos Chaim 296: 5]
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא שנאמר הליכות עולם לו אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות (נדה ע"ג.)