“And It Was Completed”: The Spiritual Power of Friday Night Kiddush

A Weekly Encounter with the Divine

Every Friday night, as Shabbat begins, Jews around the world recite the words of “Vayechulu” (“And the heavens and the earth were completed…”). These words, said both in the Amidah (silent prayer) and over Kiddush, are far more than a poetic remembrance of Creation. According to the Talmud (Shabbat 119b), they hold the power of atonement: “Whoever recites ‘Vayechulu’ on Friday night, two ministering angels place their hands on his head and say, ‘Your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned.’”

We often think of Yom Kippur as the time for spiritual cleansing. But the Sages teach that Shabbat offers a taste of that purity every single week. “Vayechulu” isn’t just about remembering the seventh day; it’s an opportunity for renewal and reconnection with the Divine.

The passage we recite describes the completion of the greatest miracle in history: the creation of the universe. The Torah makes a radical claim: the world was created yesh me’ayin, something from nothing. There was no pre-existing matter, no raw materials. Only the will of Hashem brought everything into being.

To say these words each week is to re-center our lives around this truth: we are not self-made. The world around us is not random. It is the product of Divine intent and ongoing creation.

Life today moves fast. We live in a state of constant distraction. We are always hurrying from one task to the next, chasing productivity, juggling responsibilities. The pressure is relentless.

But the Talmud (Berachot 43b) offers a surprising insight:
“A large stride [step] diminishes one five-hundredth of a person’s vision. What’s the remedy? Kiddush on Friday night.”
This isn’t just about physical eyesight. It’s about clarity. It's about our ability to truly see what matters. King David said, “My eye wastes away from grief” (Tehillim 6:8). Stress, worry, and rushing don’t just tire us out. They distort our vision, both physical and spiritual.

That’s why Shabbat matters so deeply. When we stop on Friday night and stand with a cup of wine and say, “Vayechulu," we’re not just fulfilling a ritual. We’re restoring our vision. We’re reminding ourselves that we’re not in control. This isn't a failure; it’s a source of comfort.

Throughout the week, we labor under the illusion that our efforts alone make the world go round. We take giant strides, metaphorically and literally, to make everything work. But on Shabbat, we step back. We realign ourselves. We remember that it is Hashem who sustains the world, not us.

So why does “Vayechulu” bring atonement? Because it is the ultimate act of teshuvah. It marks our return to the foundational truth that "Ein od milvado" (there is nothing but Hashem).

To speak those words with intention is to shake off the week’s illusions and reconnect to reality. It transforms how we see ourselves, our families, and the world around us. We’re no longer weighed down by the myth of self-reliance. We can take a step back and rest. We can trust.

Shabbat is more than a break. It’s a time to recalibrate our souls.
When we say “Vayechulu,” we declare: “Hashem created everything. He runs the world. I don’t need to carry it on my shoulders.”

This shift in perspective brings calmness and clarity. It opens our eyes, both physically and spiritually, and reminds us that we are held by something far greater than ourselves.

We often wait all year for Yom Kippur to start fresh. But the truth is, we’re given that chance every single week. Shabbat, and specifically the recitation of Vayechulu, is a spiritual reset button.

It’s the recognition that the world is not random. It’s the reminder that everything we see - the table, the children, the candles, the wine -exists only because Hashem wills it to. And that understanding brings not only peace but also forgiveness.

In the words of the Sages, when you declare “Vayechulu,” the angels themselves affirm your renewal. So take the moment seriously. Stand still. Say the words with presence and let the truth sink in.