Kiddush facts for kids

A special silver Kiddush cup

Kiddush is a special blessing that Jewish people say. They say it at the beginning of meals on Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) and on other Jewish holidays. The word "Kiddush" also means a small snack or meal. This snack is often served in a synagogue after long morning prayers on Shabbat or holidays. The word itself comes from Hebrew and means "holy."

Kiddush for Shabbat Meals

A beautiful, hand-carved silver Kiddush cup

Jewish people do many things to celebrate Shabbat. One important way is to say a blessing. This blessing is "Blessed are You, God, Who makes Shabbat holy."

The Talmud, a book of Jewish teachings, says this blessing should be said with a cup of wine. Because of this, the Friday evening meal in a Jewish home starts with a special ceremony. During this ceremony, the blessing is said over a cup of wine. In many Jewish homes, this blessing is said in Hebrew.

A flat-bottomed Kiddush cup

There is also a different Kiddush ceremony for the Shabbat morning meal. This ceremony helps make the meal feel more special. For the morning Kiddush, a person reads verses from the Torah about Shabbat. These verses are usually from Exodus 31:16-17 and Exodus 20:7-10. The person then finishes with the same blessing over the wine.

Kiddush on Important Jewish Holidays

Kiddush is also said on several important Jewish holidays. Saying Kiddush helps to make these holidays feel special and holy.

A collection of sterling silver Kiddush cups

The Jewish holidays where Kiddush is said include:

• Passover
• Shavuot
• Sukkot
• Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
• Rosh Hashanah

The Kiddush Cup

Jewish people often use a special cup for Kiddush. This cup is usually very fancy. The most common material for a Kiddush cup is silver. However, cups made from other materials are also used. These can include ceramic, glass, and wood. The most important thing is that the cup is special and unique. This shows honor for the blessing and the holy day.

Images for kids

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  Kiddush at the start of the Friday evening Sabbath meal, as usually recited by the father (Israel, 1963).

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  Chaplain Abraham Dubin, making the Blessing over challah (India, 1944).

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  Silver kiddush cup, inscribed in Hebrew with the words (en. translation): “Remember the Sabbath day and sanctify it.” Basel 1850s, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland’s collection.

See also

In Spanish: Kidush para niños