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| Why Do Jews Recite Kiddush |
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| Written by Jacob Lumbroso |
| Thursday, 24 July 2008 20:15 |
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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. The Sabbath is considered holy or set apart from the rest of the days of the week. The Bible states "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Kiddush then is a ceremony and prayer in which the holiness of the Sabbath or of a holiday is proclaimed. According to the Talmud this means that its holiness must be recognized in speech during the day. 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 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. On Friday evening, two loaves of bread are laid on the table in memory of the double portion of manna that was gathered on Friday. For most communities, there is no true Kiddush except at the place where the meal is eaten. 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. Before these benedictions it is customary to recite Genesis. 2: 1-3, the account of the Sabbath of Creation, in obedience to the saying of the Talmud 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 history, foreign cultures, and Judaism. For Silver Shabbat Kiddush Cups or other Judaica related to the Sabbath, visit http://www.judaicaquest.com Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 31 July 2008 22:05 |
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