Kiddush

From Shabbat

What is the Kiddush?

Kiddush (Hebrew: קידוש, literally, "sanctification") is a blessing recited over a cup of kosher wine or kosher grape juice to sanctify Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) or a Jewish holiday. Because the Torah speaks of Shabbat using the language Shamor v'Zakhor, keep it and remember it, Jews believe that Shabbat law consists both of what one may not do and what one must do in order to make the day special. The ceremony of kiddush before the night meal on both Shabbat and Jewish holidays, therefore, is regarded as mandated by the Torah although it does not appear in the Torah in explicit language; the recital of kiddush at the morning meal on Shabbat and holidays is mandated by the Rabbis of the Great Assembly. Kiddush is not typically recited at the third meal ("Seudah Shlishit") on Shabbat, although Maimonides was of the view that this should be done and some follow this custom. Reciting the Kiddush

To honor the mitzvah of reciting kiddush, an elegant silver goblet is often used. The cup must hold a revi'it of liquid (about 150 milliters), and most of the wine or grape juice should be drunk by the one who recites kiddush or another person present. Small portions of the remaining liquid in the cup may be handed out to those who are sitting around the Shabbat or holiday table.

Before reciting kiddush, the challah, which will be the next food item eaten in honor of the Shabbat or holiday, is first covered with a cloth. Halakhically, the blessing over bread takes precedence over the blessing over wine. However, in the interests of beginning the meal with kiddush, the challah is covered to "remove" it from the table. Some interpret the covering of the challah allegorically, explaining that this action reminds one to be sensitive to others (we do not take honor away from the bread by focusing on the wine while the bread is "watching").

On a Shabbat or holiday morning, kiddush may be recited even if one does not intend to sit down to a regular meal immediately following the morning prayer service. In this case, cake is used as the follow-up food instead of bread (cake has the same status as bread according to the strict Torah view). The cake should also be covered during the recital of kiddush.

In the absence of wine or grape juice, kiddush may also be recited over challah; the blessing over bread will be substituted for the blessing over wine. In that case, the ritual hand-washing normally performed prior to consuming the challah is done before the recitation of kiddush. Some groups follow this routine even if wine is present.

What it means English translation for friday nights

   * [And it was evening and it was morning], the sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. And God finished by the seventh day His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He rested from all His work which God created to function.

   * Attention, Gentlemen! Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine. (Amen)

   * Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, has desired us, and has given us, in love and good will, His holy Shabbat as a heritage, in remembrance of the work of Creation; the first of the holy festivals, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and with love and good will given us Your holy Shabbat as a heritage. Blessed are You Lord, who sanctifies the Shabbat. (Amen)