Skip to content

Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

Symbol

Kiddush cup

כּוֹס קִדּוּשׁkos kiddush
Awaiting expert review

A wine cup over which kiddush and havdalah are recited on Shabbat and festivals.

01

Origin

Halakhah

The Talmud interprets the commandment "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" as an obligation to pronounce the sanctification of Shabbat over wine.1,2

02

Meaning

Interpretation

In tradition, wine is a symbol of joy and festivity; the cup of blessing (kos shel berakhah) expresses gratitude.3,4

03

Use

Halakhah⁂ To verify

The cup should hold at least a revi’it; its conversion into modern measures varies among authorities (roughly 86–150 ml). The cup is held in the right hand, and both the person reciting kiddush and the others drink from the wine.5

Halakhah⁂ To verify

Grape juice may be used; if there is no wine, kiddush on Friday evening may be said over bread.6

04

Historical development

HistoryCzech lands

Decorated silver cups have been a common form of Judaica since the early modern period; many were made in the workshops of non-Jewish goldsmiths. The collections of the Jewish Museum in Prague include cups from the Czech lands.7

05

Related traditions

Minhag

At the seder four cups are drunk, and a special cup is poured for the prophet Elijah.8

Folk custom

The cup is often a family heirloom or a gift for a bar mitzvah or wedding.

FAQ

Does a kiddush cup have to be silver?

No. Any intact vessel of the right volume will do; silver is an expression of reverence (hiddur mitzvah).

Can kiddush be said over grape juice?

Yes, according to most authorities.

Sources

Secondary literature

  1. 7Jewish Museum in Prague text ↗

See also