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Why Do Jews Recite Kiddush?

by: JacobLumbroso
Total views: 14 | Word Count: 442

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.

It is considered a positive commandment and both men and women are bound to recite it. While the recitation is the most important element, an old custom, dating from the time of the Mishnah sees the Sabbath and the holidays as being sanctified over a glass of wine before the evening meal. The drinking of the wine, with the recitation of some additional paragraphs constitutes the ceremony of Kiddush , in which husband, wife, children, take part together.

According to the Talmud, Kiddush can be traced back to ancient times. 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.

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About the Author

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

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More Articles from: Judaism

1: Why Do Jews Recite Kiddush?
    (By: JacobLumbroso, On: Jul 18th 2008, Words: 442, Views: 14)

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FollowText.com » Religion-and-spirituality » Judaism » Why Do Jews Recite Kiddush?

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