Kiddush Cup: Whole and Clean

Hi,

Cups of wine which are associated with Mitzvot, like Kiddush and Havdalah, are treated with special honor. Two associated practices are:

1. Rinsing the cup, inside and outside, before using it, to ensure cleanliness;
2. Using a cup which is neither chipped nor cracked.

These are appropriate practices, but the lack thereof does not invalidate the Mitzvah. Therefore, one who realizes he forgot to rinse out the cup before filling it should not pour out the Kiddush wine.

One whose only cup is chipped may use that cup, assuming that the cup has enough uncracked height to hold the minimum of 3.8 ounces.

A guest certainly should not embarrass his host by “educating him” on these issues in public at Kiddush-time; far better to have Kiddush without these good practices.

(Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 271:10; Mishneh Berurah 271:44)

Have a great day,
Mordechai