What is Kiddush – The Full Guide For Shabbat Evening and Kiddush Settings

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about kiddush cups.

One of Judaisms’ most recognizable items is the kiddush cup.

We encounter it in nearly every Jewish event or holiday.

Can you make a kiddush using a regular cup? What is kiddush? Why do you say savri marnan and how do you clean your kiddush cup? If you’re looking for answers to any of these questions – keep reading.

What is kiddush?

A kiddush cup is used to perform kiddush on Fridays, Jewish holidays, havdalah, seudat mitzvah, and weddings.

Kiddush is a mitzvah from the Torah mentioned in the ten commandments, “Remember the Shabbat day to keep it holy”, a kiddush is a way of commemorating Shabbat with a short ceremony and is done by saying a special blessing over a cup of wine (or grape juice).
Kiddush is done right before seudat Shabbat or the beginning of a holiday because as soon as one of these starts we must commemorate the day, this part is crucial and cannot be missed and is the reason we do kiddush before we have our seuda.

Kiddush is usually performed by the owner of the house or the eldest participant.

How to make Kiddush

How do you use a kiddush cup?

In order to perform kiddush, we must fill the Kiddush cup to the brim and even let some of the wine spills over and trickle down to the plate.
We raise the cup with our right hand say the kiddush blessing:

“yom hashishi vayechulu hashamayim veha’aretz vechol tezva’am.
Vayechal elohim bayom hashvi’i melachto asher asah. Vayishbot bayom hashvi’i mikol melachto asher asah.
Vayevarech elohim et yom hashvi’i vayekadesh oto. Ki vo shavat mikol melachto asher barah elohim la’asot.
Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha’olam boreh pri hagafen.
Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav veratzah vanu. Veshabat kodsho beahavah uvratzon hinchilanu, zicaron lema’aseh bereishit. Ki hu yom techilah lemikraei kodesh, zecher litzeeat mitzrayim. Ki vanu vahartah veotanu kidashtah mikol ha’amim. Veshabat kodshecha beahavah uvratzon hinchaltanu. Baruch atah adonai, mekadesh ha’shabat”

The cup can be passed between all house members and guests or you can use a wine dispenser.

What is sabri marnan?

The word sabri come from sabra (In Hebrew – to think) and marnan, deriving from rabnan (the rabbis – Sanhedrin). Sanhedrin was a place that existed many years ago in the city of Yavne, many of the generation’s greatest rabbis resided there and made fate-deciding rulings.

At the end of each ruling, a verdict was given, that is the why sabri marnan is actually a question – what did the rabbis conclude when they were done with discussing.
That is why when the speaker says sabri marnan the crowd answers “lechaim”, when the rabbis sentenced life (positive) we answered lechaim, for our verdict to be positive and not the other way around.

What are we allowed to do kiddush for? Can any cup be a kiddush cup?

It is possible to do kiddush on any vessel that holds a fourth of a log of wine (86 grams), the important part of any kiddush is the wine we do kiddush with and not the vessel itself (“A vessel holds a blessing”) and so, the vessel itself is not the main point of the ritual.
The most adorned form of kiddush is with wine made completely out of grapes, but you can also do kiddush with tirosh wine that is diluted with water – you can always read the percentage of grapes on the label
Some carbonated wines can be used for kiddush, if you happen to find yourselves with no wine you can perform kiddush on the bread, and skip boreh pri hagafen.

How much do you need to drink to perform an acceptable ceremony?

The minimum amount of liquid the persons performing the kiddush needs to drink is an amount that fills at least one side of the mouth.

Other participants are not required to drink but it is recommended to take part in the ceremony and honor the mitzvah.
Some customs in Judaism claim that women shouldn’t, and even can’t drink from the wine during havdalah.

Why are kiddush cups made from silver?

Many people think that kiddush cups have to be made out of silver, but that is a misconception.
The main reason kiddush cups are made out of silver is to glorify the mitzvah.
Glorifying a mitzvah is a way of praising and adorning the mitzvah by paying extra attention to detail and putting in more effort.
For example – you can perform Friday kiddush with any ordinary cup, but it is common to put in the extra effort by using a kiddush cup and glorifying the process and the mitzvah.
In addition, the Kabbala mentions the use of silverware.

How long do kiddush cups last?

Kiddush cups can last for many years if they are properly taken care of.
With time the silver will naturally become oxygenated and turn into black or dark grey color.
If you want your kiddush cup to look new and shiny for long periods of time you’ll have to shine them on a regular basis or keep them in a safe, moisture-free space.
Silver is an expensive metal that can last for many years when taken care of and even increase in value.
Many families pass down their silverware and kiddush cups for generations, so in addition to being a mitzvah, the cups become a family heirloom.

How to choose a kiddush cup?

There are many variations and styles of Kiddush cups to choose from and each has a unique look.
Some cups have complex designs and decorations while others offer more simplistic looks and prominent engraving around the rim or the base.
Some cups offer fancy handles and short legs that add stability and style.
Our kiddush cups are hand-made by Jewish professionals, right here in the holy land using traditional methods passed down for generations.
Kiddush cups usually come in 4 main designs that can also merge together, so you can choose the one that suits your personal taste:

Filigree

Light decorations with lace-like curls made out of pure silver.
The Filigree decorations usually fit people who like traditional vintage styles.
Filigree cups require meticulous work that takes years to master.
The jeweler welds every curl individually using tweezers, products with many Filigree decorations can sometimes take hours or even days to make.
The Filigree decorations can only be found on silver-made products and usually appear alone with no other designs around them.
For the Filigree kiddush cup collection press here

Hammered

Hammered decorations are impressive finishes with wavy textures that give the product a unique and shiny look achieved by impressively meticulous work done by the jeweler.
The hammering is done with a special hammer used to create indentations in the product.
Hammered cups are usually made from thicker pieces of silver (to survive the process).
Many clients prefer hammered products because they tend to last for longer periods of time.
The reason is that the process of hammering covers up scratches and slows down the process of blackening caused by air exposure.
Hammered products take a longer time to make which means they cost more than smooth products.

There are two types of hammering:
Regular hammering– usually done using a rounded hammer that leaves a small indentation with each strike.
Wavy hammering– usually done using a wide hammer that creates a wavy look.
Hammering can be done on silver, aluminum, or pewter products.
For our hammered kiddush cups press here

Gemstones

Incorporating the setting of gemstones is a design unique to us, to achieve an impressive look we cover some of our cups with four types of gemstones.
Amethyst – A purple quartz stone, one of the world’s most popular gemstones.
Lapis – A semi-expensive bluestone, ranging from dark to royal light, sometimes with gold sparkles and white/grey veins.
Eilat – A special stone with green-turquoise colors, can only be found in Israel in the southern region of Timna.
Carnelian – A red-orange stone.
For our set gemstone collection press here

Cold Enamel Colors

Another unique decoration that sets us apart is the Cold Enamel Color.
The Enamel is a very subtle way of adding a beautiful dash of color into the product. All of our Enamel products come in two main variations, shades of blue or colorful.

The Enamel can the produced with any shade of color and with the unique method we crafted, it lasts for a long time and gives off a very luxurious look.

The Enamel decorations only come on silver products and can be combined with a personalized decoration of a name.
For our Enamel collection press here

Over the years two new designs have joined our collection:

 

Personalized

Many families have made the kiddush cup a part of their story, it passes down generations and continues the heritage for years.

If you wish to make your cup unique you can create custom decorations using any of the previous methods we’ve mentioned by adding your Personalize family name or any other thing you’d like.

We can add your custom decoration using soldering, sawing, or engraving to make your item impressive and persona
For our custom cups press here

Modern

One of our top-selling choices is modern design.
It can be easily recognized with its clean, minimalistic, and impressive look.

What may seem like a clean and delicate product can actually be the result of complex techniques for shaping silver into a smooth shape that shows no signs of welding.

The modern design is one of the most popular among young couples and has become one of our top selling products over time.
For our modern cups collection press here

What is a Kiddush cup for kids?

The ‘Good Boy’ and ‘Good Girl’ kiddush cups are meant to make kids feel included in the process and to educate them on the mitzvah from an early age. As of age 13, a teenage boy can perform kiddush. The kid’s kiddush cup is usually gifted to the boy at his brit for him to grow old along with it, some men even keep theirs and gift them to their children when it is time, it is customary to engrave the cup with the boy’s name to make it more personal.
For our ‘Good Boy’ cup collection press here

What is the difference between a kiddush cup and an Elijah cup?

Elijah is one of the few people mentioned to go up to heaven and not die, that is why we believe that during Passover he arrives and drinks from the kiddush cup.
The reason is to lift the spirits of the diners during Passover and to reinforce their faith that just as the Hebrews were freed from Egypt, they will once again be redeemed.
The one who symbolizes that redemption best is Elijah, for it is told by prophecies that the one who will bring the word of redemption to the people will be Elijah himself.
An Elijah cup differs from a regular kiddush cup in its impressive size.
The Elijah Cup is used mainly during Passover and can be made from any material just like an ordinary kiddush cup.

For our Elijah cup collection press here

How do you make a kiddush cup?

Every kiddush cup starts its life as a sheet of sterling 925 silver.
Using the traditional methods each sheet is cut into circles in accordance with the diameter the client has asked for.

We then take that circular piece of silver and press it with an iron press into a goblet-shaped mold.
This process is done by a skilled jeweler to make sure our sheet doesn’t rip.
To ensure the cup comes out strong and resilient, the hand-made glass is made out of thicker silver sheets.
Today many factories use press machines to press the silver sheets into an already made cup.
After pressing the two pieces (the stem and the goblet itself) a jeweler welds them together and sands them down until the way they were connected is no longer visible. After that, he adds the decorations and shines the cup.
The process of producing such cups can take a few hours or even a few days depending on the styling choices and the techniques used to manufacture them.

Why do you still make hand-made kiddush cups?

The main reason is quality.
Hand-made kiddush cups are manufactured with thicker sheets of silver with unique techniques that take years to master. The thicker the cup, the longer it will last.
On top of that, one of our areas of expertise is making custom-ordered cups catering to the wants and needs of our clients.

The only way to make a cup truly fit the needs of our clients is to design it and make it by hand so every detail and decoration comes out just as you imagined.
Because a kiddush cup is an item that stays for generations and eventually becomes a family heirloom many people invest in a unique one so their families and future generations can have a mutual piece of history.

How to store and preserve a kiddush cup?

One of the most important aspects of owning premium silverware is the way it is stored.
The way you treat your silverware will determine how long it lasts over the years.
After you are done using your cup it is important to wash and dry it properly before you put it away.
It is possible to use delicate cleaning products but it is recommended to use silverware-specific products or diluted vinegar, after that use a soft brush to clean excess waste.

Keep in mind that silver is a delicate material and it scratches easily, if you are unsure of the methods you are using, refrain from using them.

Silver is a material that naturally blackens over time, but doesn’t be worried, gentle cleaning can easily remove any black surfaces and restore the silver to its original state.
After cleaning and drying your kiddush cup you should store it in a cool and dry place with no moisture to prevent staining.

Kiddush cups from our store come with their own fabric bag for safekeeping.

If you wish to professionally clean your silverware feel free to contact us, products purchased from us get a free cleaning once a year.

My kiddush cup is damaged, can it be fixed?

Unfortunately not every cup can be fixed, if your cup is severely damaged or bent, trying to straighten it will cause the silver to break.

Fortunately for us, our jewelers have decades of experience and can easily tell if your product can be fixed, or if it’s time to treat yourself to a new one.

Some items may seem beyond repair to the untrained eye, but our professionals know best.
For more information on our fixing services press here.

Whether you’re looking to get yourself a new kiddush cup, gift to a loved one, or just wanted to know more about them we invite you to browse our extensive catalog, from modern aluminum cups to Filigree vintage designs, we have over a hundred years of experience and heritage.
For our entire Kiddush Cups collection press here