How to Make Kiddush on the Jewish Sabbath
The ritual of Kiddush brings the beauty of the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) into the home and initiates the festive meal. Kiddush is a blessing recited over a cup of wine and is a prayer which welcomes the Shabbat and celebrates the holiness of the day. Traditionally, the mother ushers in Shabbat by lighting candles before sundown, and the father recites Kiddush over wine when he returns from the synagogue.
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Instructions
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1
Make sure the table is set with a white tablecloth, and two challot (loaves of special Shabbat bread) are on the table. Cover the loaves with a decorative cloth before beginning Kiddush.
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2
Sing traditional songs for Friday evening printed in your prayer book: Shalom Aleichem ("Peace to You") and Aisches Chayil ("Woman of Valor"). Children should be encouraged to join in.
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3
Place the Kiddush cup on a small plate, pick up the cup with your left hand and fill the cup with wine so that it overflows on to the plate. This symbolizes abundance and recalls the verse in Psalm 23, "My cup overflows." Exchange the cup from your left hand to your right palm.
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4
Recite Kiddush from the prayer book. There is a Kiddush prayer for Friday night and for Shabbat day. Have someone else hold the book open for you if it is hard to handle with the cup of wine.
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5
Look at the candles at least once while reciting the prayer. When you are finished, drink at least two-thirds of the cup of wine at one time.
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6
Distribute wine to others around the table. You can pour the remainder of the wine into small cups or pass around your cup.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have a special Kiddush cup, a regular cup will do.
You can make kiddush over grape juice as well as wine. If you do not have grape juice or wine, you can make kiddush over the challot. Consult your prayer book for instructions.
Do not talk during Kiddush, and avoid any interruptions. Those listening to Kiddush should also be silent until they drink the wine.
