Havdallah Learning with MH Murray Hill

Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ze'irah: That light functioned thirty-six hours--twelve on Erev Shabbat [i.e. Friday], twelve during the night of Shabbat, and twelve on Shabbat [day]. Once the sun began to set at the end of Shabbat, and the darkness began, Adam was afraid, as it says, Surely the darkness will strike at me (Psalms 139:11), [meaning,] “The one, about whom it is written (i.e., the snake), ‘He will strike at your head and you will strike at his heel’ (Genesis 3:16), will come and attack me!”

What did the Blessed Holy One do? God showed him two rocks and he struck one against the other and light (of the fire) came from them. He blessed the light, as it is written...Which blessing did he recite? “Creator of the fire’s lights.”

This agrees with Samuel, for Samuel said: "Why do we recite a blessing over the light [fire] at the close of Shabbat? Because it was then created for the first time."

A person should always enter an unfamiliar city at a time of good, i.e., while it is light, as the Torah uses the expression “It is good” with regard to the creation of light (see Genesis 1:4). This goodness is manifest in the sense of security one feels when it is light. And likewise, when one leaves a city she should leave at a time of good, meaning after sunrise the next morning, as it is stated in the verse: “And none of you shall go out of the opening of his house until the morning” (Exodus 12:22).

Behold, God is my constant help; I will trust in God and will not fear. Adonai is my strength and song; my Deliverer.