Kiddush: Blessing Over the Wine

Customs

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Traditional Rosh Hashanah Evening & Daytime Kiddush

Traditional Rosh Hashanah Evening & Daytime Kiddush

This post offers links to the traditional evening and daytime Kiddush ceremonies performed on Rosh Hashanah. The page for the

Iraqi Tradition of Daytime Kiddush

Iraqi Tradition of Daytime Kiddush

In this 5.5 minute long audio recording, Cantor Moshe Habusha, a Jerusalem-born singer and musician of Iraqi ancestry, presents a slow, soulful

Turkish Tradition of the Daytime Kiddush

Turkish Tradition of the Daytime Kiddush

In this 4 minute audio recording, Cantor Moshe Habusha, a Jerusalem-born singer and musician of Iraqi ancestry, presents a slow, soulful

Home Video of Yemenite Daytime Kiddush

Home Video of Yemenite Daytime Kiddush

This low quality home video from the Shimoni family presents the Yemenite tradition for the daytime Kiddush, including the preceding Psalms and

Reform Daytime Kiddush (Audio & Text)

Reform Daytime Kiddush (Audio & Text)

This post presents the Reform custom for the daytime kiddush, including the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessing

Atkinu Seudata: A Kabbalistic Poem Recited Before Kiddush

Atkinu Seudata: A Kabbalistic Poem Recited Before Kiddush

This post presents an in-depth explanation and the Aramaic, English and transliterated texts of a Kabbalistic poem recited before the daytime Kiddush,

Introduction to Daytime Kiddush (with text)

Introduction to Daytime Kiddush (with text)

This post from Wikipedia offers a brief introduction to the daytime Kiddush, including an explanation of how it differs in

Chabad Daytime Kiddush

Chabad Daytime Kiddush

This printable PDF file presents the Hebrew and English text of the daytime Kiddush according to the custom of the Chabad Lubavitch

Kabbalistic Poems Recited Before Kiddush: Atkinu Seudata & Azamer Bishvochin

Kabbalistic Poems Recited Before Kiddush: Atkinu Seudata & Azamer Bishvochin

This post includes both audio recordings and the Aramaic, English and transliterated texts of two poems that are often recited before

Kiddush & Building Community: Humanistic Liturgy

Kiddush & Building Community: Humanistic Liturgy

This community-centered blessing over the wine was composed by Machar: The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Typical of this movement, founded

Shabbat Evening Kiddush Karaoke: Reform

Shabbat Evening Kiddush Karaoke: Reform

This ‘karaoke style’ video with Hebrew subtitles, demonstrates how to sing the Shabbat evening blessings over the wine, according to

Egalitarian Kiddush and “Shalom Aleychem”

Egalitarian Kiddush and “Shalom Aleychem”

The following post provides information about egalitarian approaches to Kiddush, as well as a video of Cantor Elana Rozenfeld teaching

Traditional Ashkenazi Friday Night Kiddush: Text & Audio

Traditional Ashkenazi Friday Night Kiddush: Text & Audio

This resource includes the complete Hebrew, English, and transliterated text for the traditional Ashkenazi Orthodox Kiddush, including explanations of what motions

Traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi Friday Night Kiddush

Traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi Friday Night Kiddush

This article includes the complete Hebrew, English, and transliterated text for the Sephardic/Mizrahi Orthodox Kiddush, as well as a video with onscreen

Secular/ Humanist Kiddush Texts

Secular/ Humanist Kiddush Texts

The following excerpts from a Secular/Humanist Shabbat Service emphasize both universalistic concepts and the importance of rejoicing in Jewish heritage. Although

Shabbat Kiddush of Liberation: Letting the Land Rest

Shabbat Kiddush of Liberation: Letting the Land Rest

This ecological Kiddush was written for an instance when Shabbat coincided with Tu b’Shvat, the Jewish new year for the trees,

Yemenite Friday Night Kiddush

Yemenite Friday Night Kiddush

This video presents a recording of a traditional Friday night Kiddush according to the Yemenite tradition, recited by Tomer Hatuca, an

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Learn How

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Traditional Rosh Hashanah Evening & Daytime Kiddush

Traditional Rosh Hashanah Evening & Daytime Kiddush

This post offers links to the traditional evening and daytime Kiddush ceremonies performed on Rosh Hashanah. The page for the

For Kids: The Blessing Over Wine & Grape Juice

For Kids: The Blessing Over Wine & Grape Juice

This short, kid-friendly video demonstrates how to say the blessing over wine or grape juice, which is a central part of the the

How to Sing the Reform Daytime Kiddush (Audio & Text)

How to Sing the Reform Daytime Kiddush (Audio & Text)

This post presents the Reform custom for the daytime kiddush, including the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessing

Orthodox Ashkenazi Daytime Kiddush (Text & Audio)

Orthodox Ashkenazi Daytime Kiddush (Text & Audio)

This post presents a printable PDF file containing the Hebrew, English and transliterated text of the daytime Kiddush, as well

How to Recite the Sephardic Daytime Kiddush (Text & Audio)

How to Recite the Sephardic Daytime Kiddush (Text & Audio)

This post offers a two-page step-by-step guide explaining how to recite the daytime Kiddush according to Sephardic tradition, including the

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Daytime Kiddush (Plus Text & Audio)

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Daytime Kiddush (Plus Text & Audio)

This thorough excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik begins with meaningful explanations as to why Kiddush is recited during

Moishe House: Friday Night Shabbat Rituals

Moishe House: Friday Night Shabbat Rituals

This less than 5 minute long animated video introduces the basic Shabbat rituals performed on Friday night, including the candle lighting ceremony,

How To Make Kiddush (Hebrew)

How To Make Kiddush (Hebrew)

This Hebrew video shows a family singing the songs and performing the Kiddush ceremony conducted at the beginning of the Friday night

Students Teach How To Make Kiddush

Students Teach How To Make Kiddush

This short, quirky home video features students from the Conservative Hebrew High School of Congregation Beth El of Voorhees, NJ, acting out

Kiddush 101: Discover Everything About Kiddush

Kiddush 101: Discover Everything About Kiddush

This detailed article by Chaviva Gordon-Bennett explains the meaning, origins, customs, and practical how-to’s of the Kiddush ceremony according to Orthodox Ashkenazi

How to Make Kiddush: A Step-by-Step Guide from Chabad

How to Make Kiddush: A Step-by-Step Guide from Chabad

This article includes a short introduction to the Kiddush from a Chabad-Lubavitch Orthodox perspective, including a breakdown of the structure of

How to Recite the Ashkenazi Friday Night Kiddush

How to Recite the Ashkenazi Friday Night Kiddush

In this 7:42 long video, Cantor Michael Weis explains and demonstrates how to say Kiddush on Friday night, including on-screen Hebrew text

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks & Chabad: How to Perform Friday Night Kiddush

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks & Chabad: How to Perform Friday Night Kiddush

This short video, narrated by Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, provides an introduction to the Friday night Kiddush, as well as

Common Mistakes Made During Kiddush

Common Mistakes Made During Kiddush

In this 8:33 long video, Rabbi Joel Finkelstein of the Modern Orthodox Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Congregation in Memphis, Tennessee, goes through

A Complete Guide to Performing a Traditional Friday Night Kiddush: Text & Audio

A Complete Guide to Performing a Traditional Friday Night Kiddush: Text & Audio

This step-by-step guide  explains how to perform the basic Orthodox Ashkenazi Kiddush, including the Hebrew, English, and transliterated text of the

Learning and Schmoozing with the Rabbis: Making Kiddush

Learning and Schmoozing with the Rabbis: Making Kiddush

In this informative and amusing video, ideal for beginners, Rabbi Rafi Rank and Rabbi Josh Hearshen provide basic information about how to

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Informative Articles & Videos

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A Brief Halachic Exploration of the Shabbat Morning Kiddush

A Brief Halachic Exploration of the Shabbat Morning Kiddush

This 4 minute long audio recording presents the different customs and halachic opinions regarding the wording of the daytime Kiddush.

What is Kiddush?

What is Kiddush?

This short video provides a playful but informative discussion about how and why we make Kiddush. Rabbi John Carrier of

Daytime Kiddush as a Reminder of the Sanctity of Shabbat

Daytime Kiddush as a Reminder of the Sanctity of Shabbat

In this 2.5 minute video, Rabbi Chaim Brovender explains how the daytime Kiddush serves as a reminder of the sanctity

Kiddush as a Bridge Between the Physical & Spiritual

Kiddush as a Bridge Between the Physical & Spiritual

This short video provides a brief and meaningful explanation for why Jews make Kiddush at Shabbat meals. Arik Singer, a former

A Talmudic Analysis of Kiddusha Rabba – The Great Kiddush

A Talmudic Analysis of Kiddusha Rabba – The Great Kiddush

This article is an analysis of the Talmudic passages from which we learn the minimum halachic requirement for the daytime

A Halchic Discussion of the Wording of Kiddush

A Halchic Discussion of the Wording of Kiddush

  This short, technical article discusses which passages should be recited prior to the blessing over the wine as part

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Daytime Kiddush (Plus Text & Audio)

Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Daytime Kiddush (Plus Text & Audio)

This thorough excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik begins with meaningful explanations as to why Kiddush is recited during

JOFA: The Women’s Role in Kiddush, HaMotzi & Havdallah

JOFA: The Women’s Role in Kiddush, HaMotzi & Havdallah

The following excerpt from the article “Halachot of Kiddush, HaMotzi and Havdalah, printed by The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA),

Kiddush: Stand or Sit?

Kiddush: Stand or Sit?

This responsum, written for Aish.com’s “Ask The Rabbi” column, explains the halachic reasoning behind some of the different customs regarding whether the

How Kiddush Became Part of the Synagogue Service

How Kiddush Became Part of the Synagogue Service

This article by the late German Jewish scholar Rabbi Ismar Elbogen discusses how the Kiddush was introduced into the synagogue service in

Shabbat Home Ritual: Kiddush

Shabbat Home Ritual: Kiddush

In this short post, Sarah Fishman describes the basics of the Kiddush ceremony, as part of an article introducing the

Psalm 23

Psalm 23

The following article outlines the place of Psalm 23 in Shabbat liturgy in various communities, as well as a literary analysis

Kiddush in Kabbalistic Thought

Kiddush in Kabbalistic Thought

In this excerpt from “The Thirteen Petalled Rose,” Talmudic scholar Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz provides a step-by-step interpretation of the ritual

Kiddush: Shabbat and the Possibility of Transformation

Kiddush: Shabbat and the Possibility of Transformation

Using both Hassidic and classic commentaries, these excerpts from the article “Shabbat and the Possibility of Transformation” explore Kiddush as

Shabbat as Rest from Creation

Shabbat as Rest from Creation

In this article, Rabbi David Aaron explores the deeper meaning of rest on Shabbat, as referenced in the Friday night Kiddush, by

Kiddush as a Refelction of the Jews’ Universal and Particular Relationship with God

Kiddush as a Refelction of the Jews’ Universal and Particular Relationship with God

This excerpt from the article “The Dual Nature of Shabbat Observance” provides insight into how the text of Kiddush reflects

Kiddush: At Home or Synagogue?

Kiddush: At Home or Synagogue?

This article, ideal for readers with an interest in the development of Jewish law and custom, discusses whether the Friday

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: Kiddush and the Sanctification of Time

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel: Kiddush and the Sanctification of Time

This excerpt from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s “The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man,” explores the idea of Shabbat as a symbol for

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Music

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A Subtle Melody for the Chabad Daytime Kiddush

A Subtle Melody for the Chabad Daytime Kiddush

This audio recording presents Rabbi Chay Amar singing a subtle melody for the daytime Kiddush, including the preliminary Psalms and

Etti Ankri’s Psalm 23 Recited Prior to Daytime Kiddush

Etti Ankri’s Psalm 23 Recited Prior to Daytime Kiddush

This video presents Israeli singer-songwriter Etti Ankri performing a beautiful rendition of Psalm 23, often recited prior to the daytime

Atkinu Seudata: A Hasidic Melody for a Kabbalistic Poem Recited Before the Daytime Kiddush

Atkinu Seudata: A Hasidic Melody for a Kabbalistic Poem Recited Before the Daytime Kiddush

This video presents a Kabbalistic poem sometimes recited before the daytime Kiddush sung to a melody from the Modzitz Hasidic group,

Kabbalistic Poems Recited Before Kiddush: Atkinu Seudata & Azamer Bishvochin

Kabbalistic Poems Recited Before Kiddush: Atkinu Seudata & Azamer Bishvochin

This post includes both audio recordings and the Aramaic, English and transliterated texts of two poems that are often recited before

Matisyahu’s Kiddush

Matisyahu’s Kiddush

In this video, world-famous Jewish musician, Matisyahu, sings a slow, emotive rendition of the Friday night Shabbat Kiddush according to Orthodox

A Jazzy Kiddush

A Jazzy Kiddush

This creative jazz rendition of the Ashkenazi version of the Kiddush blessing is from the “Hear O Israel: A Prayer

Acapella Kiddush: Soul Key Choir

Acapella Kiddush: Soul Key Choir

In this video, The Soul Key Choir, an all male Israeli acapella group, performs a beautiful harmony of the biblical verses

Rabbi Klatzko’s Musical Kiddush

Rabbi Klatzko’s Musical Kiddush

In this video, Rabbi Benzion Klatzko sings the Shabbat evening Kiddush according to the Orthodox Ashkenazi tradition and pronunciation to a slow,

Kiddush Blues by the Klezmer Company Orchestra

Kiddush Blues by the Klezmer Company Orchestra

This live Hebrew performance by the Klezmer Company Orchestra demonstrates how to sing the Shabbat evening blessings over the wine,

Jazz/Blues Kiddush

Jazz/Blues Kiddush

This entertaining video demonstrates a unique style of singing the Shabbat evening blessings over the wine with a jazz-blues twist. Benson Simmonds,

Richard Tucker’s Cantorial Kiddush

Richard Tucker’s Cantorial Kiddush

In this video, the great American tenor and cantor Richard Tucker (1913-1975) performs the Shabbat evening blessings over the wine

Kurt Weill’s Musical Composition of Kiddush

Kurt Weill’s Musical Composition of Kiddush

This post includes an introduction to Kurt Weill’s musical composition of Kiddush, including an original audio and several videos of

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Singing Kiddush

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Singing Kiddush

This is a video of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s musical rendition of Friday night Kiddush according to Orthodox Ashkenazi tradition and

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The Blessing Over the Wine in ASL

The Blessing Over the Wine in ASL

This video demonstrates how to sign the blessing over the wine in American Sign Language, which is especially helpful for those

Shalom Sesame: Learn About Shabbat with Grover

Shalom Sesame: Learn About Shabbat with Grover

In this sweet, amusing video, Grover learns about Shabbat on “Shalom Sesame,” the Israeli version of the popular children’s television

Making Kiddush Inclusive for All

Making Kiddush Inclusive for All

The following article provides practical tools on how to transform your own Shabbat table into one that is inclusive of

Kiddush in Combat

Kiddush in Combat

This short clip shows soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces reciting Kiddush in the midst of combat in Gaza during Operation

The Power of Kiddush: A Chassidic Story

The Power of Kiddush: A Chassidic Story

This story demonstrates the great mystical power behind the ritual of Kiddush. As is common in the Hassidic tradition, the message

Israeli Family Performs Kiddush and Candle Lighting

Israeli Family Performs Kiddush and Candle Lighting

This home video shows an Israeli family in the Galilee performing traditional Shabbat rituals around the table, including the lighting

Why Sweet Wine?

Why Sweet Wine?

This article from The Jerusalem Post provides historical background and basic information about wine production to explain why the wine used for

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