Kiddush Cup – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed.
On Friday evening at the beginning of the meal and on Shabbat morning, ‘kiddush’ is made: a blessing is pronounced over a cup of wine. This also happens on the evening and morning of feast days. Kiddush means sanctification, in accordance with the commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, that you sanctify it” (Exodus 20:8). The day is therefore set apart from the other days. A cup of wine is poured – preferably so that it overflows a little.
The person making the kiddush takes the cup in his hand and recites Genesis 1:31b-2:3, the text that speaks of the first Shabbat of creation. The words “It had been evening, and it had been morning” are said softly, the rest, from ‘the sixth day’ onwards, aloud. Then he pronounces the blessing over the wine: “Blessed art Thou, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.” The wording of this blessing is very old. In the time of the Second Temple, it was already established and in general use (Matthew 26:29 and the parallel texts in the other Gospels). The blessing over the wine is followed by thanksgiving to God, who sanctifies Israel with His commandments and has given the Sabbath a reminder of His creative work and a memorial of the exodus from Egypt. Finally, God is praised ‘who sanctifies the Sabbath’. They then drink the wine.
The blessing over the wine is followed by thanksgiving to God, who sanctifies Israel with His commandments and has given the Sabbath a reminder of His creative work and a memorial of the exodus from Egypt.
Incidentally, kiddush can also be made with bread. Then two loaves are taken, remembering the double portion of manna in the desert. But wine (or grape juice) is preferred.
To honour the mitzvah (the commandment) to sanctify the Shabbat, a beautiful cup is used, of course, usually made of silver. In fact, in Hebrew, it is called kos shel beracha, cup of blessing, because it is also used at other special occasions, such as the havdalah (closing of the Shabbat), circumcision and engagement and marriage ceremonies. One often sees kiddush sets with one large and several small cups so that everyone can drink from their own cup, while the host makes the kiddush over the large cup.
