Kiddush: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Kiddush Cup.JPG|200px|right]]

==Obligation==

# The mitzvah of Kiddish is a Biblical commandment alluded to in the Ten Commandments. The Torah says "זכור את יום השבת לקדשו" meaning "remember Shabbat to sanctify it," and one fulfills it by saying the text of Kiddish on Friday night. <ref> Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) writes that there's a positive biblical commandment to remember Shabbat based on the pasuk "זכור את יום השבת לקדשו" (Shemot 20:7). In 29:4 he writes that the primary time for the mitzvah is Friday night. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:1 rules like the opinion of the Rambam. [However, it seems to me that Tosfot (Nazir 4a D"H My Hee; first opinion) holds that the mitzvah of Kiddish is Derabbanan and the pasuk of Zachor is only an asmachta.] </ref> In addition, Chazal instituted that Kiddish be made over a cup of wine. <ref> Pesachim 106a states that the Kiddish is supposed to be said over a cup of wine. Tosfot(D"H Zochrayhu; first opinion) and Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:6) write that saying Kiddish over the cup of wine is Derabbanan. Tosfot's second opinion holds saying Kiddish over a cup of wine is Deorittah, but drinking it is Derabbanan. </ref>

==Kiddish in Shul==

# In the days of the gemara, the Rabbis instituted a Kiddish in shul for the travelers who would eat and drink in the Shul. Even though nowadays this isn't the case, some hold that the practice remains, while others say that it's preferable not to make Kiddish in Shul. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 269:1 writes that it's preferable not to follow this minhag. However, Mishna Brurah 269:5 writes that this is the common minhag and one shouldn't uproot it. </ref>  

# The one making Kiddish in shul shouldn't drink from the wine but rather give it to children to drink. Some say that the children should be below the age of chinuch (6 or 7) while others say that it's better to give it a child above that age. If one doesn't have children there to give the wine the onw making Kiddish should drink a reviyit, make a bracha achrona and have intent to fulfill the mitzvah of kiddish. <ref>Mishna Brurah 269:1 </ref>

# The minhag is to stand for this kiddish. <ref> Rama 269:1 </ref>

# The proper practice is to sit during Kiddish. However, some have a Minhag to stand for Kiddish and have what to rely on. <ref> (1) Sources that one should sit: Tosfot 43a writes that to be included in Kiddish one should sit. [Additionally, from the discussion of the Rambam (Hilchot Succah 6:12) writes that one the first night of Sukkot one should say the Kiddish standing so that one can make the bracha of LeShev BaSukkah before sitting down, implying that during the rest of the year one should say Kiddish sitting.] (2) Reasons one should sit: Mishna Brurah 271:46 brings the reason of the Kol Bo that one should sit as a part of Kiddish BeMakom Sueda making Kiddish in the place one will eat, and the reason of the Gra that because sitting represents an established setting and one is able to fulfill the obligation of others only is such a setting. Mishna Brurah extrapolates from the Gra's reasoning that even those who listen should preferably sit, and if they are not only standing but even moving here and there during Kiddish one certainly doesn't fulfill his/her obligation. Chaye Adam (Shabbat 6:13) writes that it's preferable to sit during Kiddish so one can see the cup (like the Rama writes 271:10 that one should look at the cup) and one's family as one makes Kiddish. (3) Practices: Therefore, S"A 271:10 rules that one should stand for Vayichulu implying that one should sit for the rest of Kiddish. However, Arizal (quoted by Aruch HaShulchan 271:21) held one should stand for Kiddish out of respect for the Shabbat queen (similar to the reason Ashkenazim stand for Havdalah, see Mishna Brurah 296:27). Lastly, Rama 271:10 writes that one is permitted to stand for the entire Kiddish, but it's preferable to sit for Kiddish.  Sh"t Igrot Moshe 5:16 writes that even the Rama only writes that it's permissible to stand for Kiddish but preferably one should sit, and so if one doesn't have a custom one should follow the S"A. </ref> Nonetheless, one should stand for Vayichulu. <ref> S"A 271:10 rules that one should stand for Vayichulu. Mishna Brurah 271:45 explains that the one should stand for Vayichulu because it acts as a testimony which in court would require one to stand. Rama 271:10 writes that the Minhag was to sit for Vayichulu except for the beginning of Vayichulu (during the words of Yom HaShishi Vayichulu HaShamayim because the first letter of those words spell Hashem's name). Mishna Brurah 271:47 explains that one can sit for Vayichulu because once one stood while it's said in Shul it can be said seated during Kiddish. Nonetheless, Mishna Brurah 268:19 writes that the minhag is like S"A to stand for Vayichulu. See further: download.yutorah.org/2009/1109/735392.pdf </ref>

# For Shabbat day, the accepted custom is to sit. <ref> Rav Moshe Shternbuch (Teshuvot V’hanhagot #254) writes that even those who stand for Friday night Kiddish should sit for Shabbat day Kiddish because the reason of standing for Vayichulu and continuing doesn't apply as there is no Vayichulu, nor is there a Shabbat queen to greet. </ref>

==If there is no wine or grape juice==