Kiddush (Hebrew: קידוש, literally,
"sanctification") is a blessing recited
over wine or grape juice to sanctify the
Shabbat or a Jewish holiday. The Torah
refers to two requirements concerning
Shabbat - to "keep it" and to "remember
it" (shamor and zakhor). Jewish law
therefore requires that Shabbat be
observed in two respects. One must "keep
it" by refraining from thirty-nine
forbidden activities, and one must
"remember it" by making special
arrangements for the day, and
specifically through the kiddush
ceremony.
Reciting kiddush before the meal on the
eve of Shabbat and Jewish holidays is
thus regarded as a commandment from the
Torah (as it is explained by the Oral
Torah). Reciting kiddush before the
morning meal on Shabbat and holidays,
however, is a requirement of rabbinic
origin. Kiddush is not usually recited
at the third meal on Shabbat, although
Maimonides was of the opinion that wine
should be drunk at this meal as well. |
