Evening Kiddush
E-Learning
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What is Kiddush?
This short video provides a playful but informative discussion about how and why we make Kiddush. Rabbi John Carrier of Reform Burbank Temple Emanuel explains that Jews sanctify sacred time
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 educator at the Orthodox Perth Hebrew Congregation in Australia and
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 encouraging readers to focus on the “yeses” instead of all
The Role of Wine in Jewish Tradition
This excerpt, from an article by Rabbi Maurice Lamm, explains the integral place of wine in Sabbath, festival, and wedding rituals, as a celebratory and symbolic marker between the mundane
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 the sanctification of time. Although Heschel does not specifically mention
Kiddush as a Reflection 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 the Jews’ simultaneous universal and particular relationship with God. Rabbi
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 nighttime and daytime Kiddush ceremony should be recited while standing or
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), illustrates how women and men are equally obligated to participate
OneTable Shabbat Dinner Guide
Created by OneTable, a grassroots organization whose goal it is to help people enjoy Shabbat dinners together, the guide (39 pages) to the Friday night dinner experience provides both inspiration and optional
Shabbat Home Ritual: Kiddush
In this short post, Sarah Fishman describes the basics of the Kiddush ceremony, as part of an article introducing the Shabbat home rituals of candle lighting, kiddush over wine, and
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 Babylonia, a custom which eventually spread to Ashkenazi Jewish communities
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 of Kiddush on Shabbat evening, using complex Jewish mystical thinking
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 a reminder of the personal and national redemptive power of
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 night Kiddush should be recited as part of the evening
Music
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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 Ashkenazi custom and pronunciation, as images of other traditional Shabbat rituals
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, an actor and acting coach from Los Angeles, California, known
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 recited by many Orthodox communities as the opening of the Shabbat evening 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 other artists covering his work. Weill’s musical composition of 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 pronunciation. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, also known as the “Singing Rabbi,” composed
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, according to the Reform Ashkenazi tradition. Sung by guest vocalist
A Jazzy Kiddush
This creative jazz rendition of the Ashkenazi version of the Kiddush blessing is from the “Hear O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony in Jazz” album, which combines traditional Hebrew songs and
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, emotive melody, as images related to Shabbat scroll by on
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 according to the Reform Ashkenazi tradition. Tucker’s musical talent was
What Else?
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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 all members of your community. The Kiddush, one of the
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 who are deaf or hard of hearing and those seeking
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 Kiddush is generally sweet. Adam Montefiore, an expert in Israeli wine, describes
How to Make Kiddush Without Wine
This detailed article describes what to do if you need to make Kiddush but there is no kosher wine available. Although this is not explicitly mentioned, it also applies to
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 is conveyed through a story in order to resonate with
Kiddush in Combat
This short clip shows soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces reciting Kiddush in the midst of combat in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge, the 2014 Israel-Gaza War.
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 series, “Sesame Street.” Grover helps his friend prepare for Shabbat
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 of the Shabbat candles and the recitation of the Kiddush.
Rituals & Ceremonies
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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 are performed at each point. Although the Kiddush ritual is almost
Reconstructionist Kiddush and the Concept of Chosenness
This article includes the Hebrew and English text of the Friday night Kiddush according to Reconstructionist tradition, as well as an explanation of the variations from the traditional text. To hear
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, according to Jewish mystical traditions. The poem is based on passages
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 the traditions of Shabbat are often seen as purely religious rituals,
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 Israeli singer and musician of Yemenite descent. Yemenite Jews have unique
The Blessing Over Wine: Masculine, Feminine and Non-Gendered God Language
This post includes the blessing recited over wine in Hebrew, English and transliterated, using masculine, feminine and non-gendered God-language. This blessing is only one small part within the Shabbat Kiddush
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 on Friday night, according to Jewish mystical traditions. Both
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 in 1963 by the late Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, the
Reconstructionist Kiddush with Feminine God-Language: Text & Audio
This article presents the Reconstructionist adaptation of Kiddush into feminine God-language, including a recording by Rabbi Margot Stein, a Reconstructionist rabbi, musician, cantor, and educator, the full text in Hebrew, English
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 the words and melody of “Shalom Aleychem” and the Friday
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 the Reform Ashkenazi tradition. Chanted by Cantor Linda Kates from
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 text from Kol Echad M’mekomo. The term “Sephardic” refers to
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, by Mark X. Jacobs, the former Founding Executive Director of
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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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 tradition, including the translated and transliterated text. Published on ThoughtCo, a website
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 a thorough demonstration of how to make Kiddush according to
Kiddush FAQs
This article answers basic questions about how to make Kiddush on Friday night, including who can make Kiddush and when, and what materials are required for making Kiddush. Written in
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 blessings. Reprinted on Aish.com, this is an excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond”
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 the most common mistakes made while listening to or making Kiddush on
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 longer Shabbat Kiddush ceremony. In less than 30 seconds, this
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, the Kiddush over wine, the ritual hand washing, and the
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 Shabbat meal. It includes the most popular melodies for “Shalom Aleichem”
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 and discussing what they have learned about making Kiddush. The
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 the text, a step-by-step guide on how to properly perform the
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 and transliteration according to traditional Ashkenazi custom. Cantor Weis offers
How to Perform the Traditional Friday Night Kiddush Video & Text
This step-by-step video demonstrates how to recite the Kiddush ceremony at the beginning of a traditional Friday night Shabbat meal in a traditional Ashkenazi home. Beginning with a short introduction to the
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 perform Kiddush, including the necessary materials and a simultaneous on-screen transliteration.
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