Why Jewish tradition mandates sanctifying Shabbat with a cup of wine or grape juice

Food & Drink · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kiddush, meaning sanctification, is a ritual blessing over wine or grape juice that marks the holiness of Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Rooted in the biblical command to remember the day, this practice transforms a simple meal into a sacred act, reflecting deep historical customs and evolving communal traditions.

The ritual of Kiddush serves to fulfill the biblical commandment to remember Shabbat, complementing the requirement to refrain from 39 prohibited categories of work. While the Friday night Kiddush is a biblical obligation, the morning version, known as Kiddusha Rabba, is of rabbinic origin. The ceremony typically involves a cup holding a revi'it of liquid—a measurement debated by authorities like Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz and Rabbi Avraham Chaim Naeh, ranging from approximately 90.7 to 161.5 millilitres.

Customs surrounding the ritual vary significantly. For instance, while wine is preferred, traditional communities often permit grape juice. Some Ashkenazic communities may even substitute the blessing over bread for wine on Friday nights. During the 17th century, David HaLevi Segal famously advised using white wine instead of red in regions facing persecution to avoid blood libels. Other practices include standing during the recitation of Genesis 2:1–3 to provide formal testimony, or adding water to wine to symbolize mercy or historical dilution practices.

Beyond the formal blessing, the term Kiddush also describes the social repast held after prayer services. These gatherings, often featuring foods like gefilte fish, kugel, or dairy dishes on Shavuot, serve as communal celebrations for life events such as births, weddings, or birthdays. While the Shulchan Aruch dictates that Kiddush should precede the main meal, some traditions allow for the use of mezonot or even liquor under specific circumstances, illustrating how a singular ritual adapts to diverse cultural and halakhic interpretations.

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