Declaration of Faith: 10 Facts About the Kiddush Mitzvah

1. In the Ten Commandments, the instruction to observe Shabbat appears in the words: "Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it." The Sages explained: "Remember it over wine when it begins." "When it begins" - on Shabbat night.

2. Kiddush is a testimony to the creation of the world. This testimony is performed by quoting the verses: "The heaven and the earth were finished, and all their array. And on the seventh day Hashem finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. And Hashem blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work that Hashem created to make."

3. When a person stands with their family and recites Kiddush over wine on Shabbat night, they testify before everyone that they believe there is a Creator of the world, that nothing was created by itself, and there is no randomness in the world, but everything is included in Hashem's actions, the Maker of Creation.

4. The mention of the world's creation occurs specifically on Shabbat, since on this day Hashem rested from His work.

(Photo: Mendy Hechtman / Flash 90)

5. An additional reason for remembering Shabbat is mentioned in the Kiddush text with the words: "A remembrance of the exodus from Egypt." Shabbat commemorates the story of the exodus from Egypt, the journey from slavery to freedom.

6. Kiddush is the symbol of faith in the Creator's existence. The person reciting Kiddush declares that they believe in the fundamentals of Judaism, and that they associate themselves with the people who sanctify the seventh day, a people designated with the role of carrying the message of faith in the world.

7. It is forbidden to eat or drink before reciting Kiddush. This prohibition takes effect from the time a person accepts upon themselves the sanctity of Shabbat, no later than a few minutes before sunset.

8. It is customary to cover the challot intended for lechem mishneh (the two loaves) during Kiddush. The reason for this custom is "so that the bread will not see its shame," meaning, the fact that we do not recite Kiddush over it but over wine, even though bread takes precedence over wine in importance.

9. Our Sages instituted reciting Kiddush in the morning as well. In this Kiddush, we also bless over a cup of wine: "Creator of the fruit of the vine." We begin with verses about giving Shabbat to Israel ('V'shamru'), and some add verses about the commandment to remember Shabbat. This Kiddush is called "Kiddush Rabbah" (the Great Kiddush).

10. Some have the custom to recite Kiddush while standing, and others while sitting.

Rabbi Emanuel Mizrahi in a lecture about the spiritual benefits hidden in the mitzvah of Kiddush: