The Lesson of Fingernails: What Havdalah Teaches About Growth

Shabbat has come to a close, and now we recite the brachos of Havdalah. Many people look at their fingernails in the light of the Havdalah candle while reciting the blessing “Borei Meorei Ha’esh.” But why?

The Practical Explanation

The blessing over fire should be made when we benefit from the light. Fingernails reflect light clearly, and the contrast between the nail and the surrounding skin helps demonstrate that the flame is providing usable illumination.

A Symbolic Idea

Beyond the practical explanation, many commentators note a symbolic meaning.

Fingernails are one of the parts of the human body that grow constantly, yet we rarely notice the growth while it is happening. Only after some time do we realize they have become longer and need to be trimmed. In this way, fingernails demonstrate the power of slow, gradual growth.

In many ways, all growth, whether spiritual or physical, works the same way. Progress usually happens slowly and gradually, often in ways we do not immediately notice. The goal is simply to become a little bit better than we were yesterday. Over days, months, and years, those small improvements will accumulate into meaningful change.

One practical way to support gradual growth in our daily lives is by writing down a small goal at the beginning of the week. Research in neuroscience has shown that writing by hand activates more areas of the brain involved in memory, learning, and focus than simply typing or thinking about a goal. Just by writing down one small healthy habit for the week, such as taking a short walk each day or adding an extra serving of vegetables to a meal, can make that goal more likely to happen. Just as fingernails grow slowly over time, meaningful change often begins with small steps that we commit to consistently.

References:

Mueller, P. & Oppenheimer, D. (2014). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science: students who took notes by hand performed better on conceptual learning tests because handwriting forced them to process and summarize information rather than simply copy it.

Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 298:3: custom to look at fingernails

Mishnah Berurah 298:9: fingernails reflect the light and help demonstrate its benefit.

Mesillat Yesharim, Introduction: The Moshe Chaim Luzzatto explains that spiritual growth happens through consistent gradual improvement, not sudden change.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before starting any exercise, nutrition, or health program, especially if you have any medical conditions or concerns.