Kiddush: Difference between revisions

# 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. </ref>