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submitted: Jul 18th 2008 | by: JacobLumbroso | Total views: 2 | Word Count: 463 | |

Next to lighting candles on Friday just before sunset, or singing Shalom Aleichem, the Kiddush cup is among the most common symbols of the Jewish Sabbath. The word Kiddush is derived from the Hebrew word Kedushah, which means holiness or separation. Reciting Kiddush marks the special nature of the Sabbath day.

In Judaism, the Sabbath is considered set apart from the rest of the days of the week. The Bible commands "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Kiddush then is a ceremony in which the holiness of the Sabbath or of a holiday is proclaimed. The Talmud interprets this to means that the holiness of the Sabbath must be recognized in speech.

Reciting or singing it is considered a positive commandment or mitzvah. Men and women are obligated to recite it, though in a married household, the husband will recite it. While reciting it is the most important element, a custom from the early rabbinic period sees the act of sanctification as being tied to saying blessing for a glass of wine before the evening meal. The drinking of wine, in addition to some additional paragraphs makes up what is known as the Friday evening Kiddush.

According to the Talmud, Kiddush can be traced back to the time of the Great Assembly. The existence of discussions dating from the first century of the Common Era on the subject of Kiddush make it clear that the ritual is ancient.

At the beginning of Sabbath two loaves of bread are laid down in memory of the double portion of manna that was gathered on Friday, with a white cloth under and over them. There is no true Kiddush except at the place of the meal. There is a custom however among some communities to pronounce Kiddush at the end of the evening service in the synagogue.

Although the Talmud states that strong alcoholic drinks other than wine are not "ideal"for the Kiddush , such drink, out of necessity, once took the place of wine in northeastern European Jewish communities. It is regarded, however, as more dignified, where wine is not available, to pronounce the Kiddush over the bread than to substitute beer or brandy.

It is customary to recite Genesis. 2: 1-3, the account of the Sabbath of Creation, before reciting Kiddush in keeping the Talmudic dictum that one who recites it makes himself, in a sense, a partner with God in the work of creation.

A kiddush cup is used in other ceremonies where drinking wine is part of the occasion or ritual. These includes Havdalah (the ceremony demarcating the end of the Sabbath from the coming week), as well as at weddings ceremonies, among others.

About the Author

Jacob Lumbroso writes articles on Jewish History, foreign cultures, and Judaism. For Silver Shabbat Kiddush Cups or other Jewish culture related to the Shabbat, visit http://www.judaicaquest.com

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