How much must one drink for kiddush?

Hi,

To fulfill the Mitzvah of Kiddush, one must drink a cheekful. The standard measure for a “cheekful” is that it is the majority of a “Revi'it.” A Revi'it is about 3.8 ounces, making a cheekful approximately 2 ounces.

One whose frame is so large that his “cheekful” is significantly larger than 2 ounces should drink whatever amount is a cheekful for him.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 271:13; Mishneh Berurah 271:68)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Simultaneous kiddushes

Hi,

Sometimes two families eat together and a member of each family recites Kiddush for that family.

Should they choose to do this, the two should not recite Kiddush simultaneously, as it would be hard for the individual family members to distinguish between the two voices reciting Kiddush. One should recite Kiddush, and then the other.

(Mishneh Berurah 271:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Savri

Hi,

When Reuven fulfills the Kiddush obligation on behalf of Shimon, both must concentrate on the fact that Reuven is reciting Kiddush for Shimon. Therefore, it is appropriate for the person reciting Kiddush to remind everyone present of this fact.

This is what we do when say “Savri Maranan veRabbanan viRabotai (Pay attention, my masters and teachers)” before reciting the blessing.

(Mishneh Berurah 271:5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Who recites kiddush?

Hi,

Kiddush is a mitzvah for both men and women. Therefore, either a man or a woman may recite Kiddush for the household.

A man who recites Kiddush and drinks in the synagogue should not be the one to recite Kiddush for the family at home; he should have another adult household member recite Kiddush.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chayyim 271:2; Mishneh Berurah 271:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Standing or Sitting for Kiddush, Part II

Hi,

We have mentioned that there is merit in sitting for Kiddush, as this establishes one's location for the meal and Kiddush is supposed to be “on the site” of the meal.

There is another reason to sit, and this is specifically where one is reciting Kiddush for other people. Sitting down together establishes that they are all in the same group. As such, it is appropriate for all involved to be seated.

Standing does not invalidate the Kiddush for the group, though(and especially if one must stand in order to be audible). The only practice which would invalidate the Kiddush would be to have everyone milling about in different directions.

(Mishneh Berurah 271:46)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Standing or Sitting for Kiddush

Hi,

We stand when reciting Kiddush, at least for the first paragraph, because that paragraph serves as testimony to Gd's creation of the world and because the initials of the opening words spell out Gd's unpronounceable name, Yud-Hei-Vav and Hei (Yom Hashishi Vayechulu Hashamayim).

Some sit even for the first paragraph, because Kiddush is supposed to be established in the location of one's meal; in halachah, one establishes a location by sitting down.

Either custom is appropriate.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 271:10; Mishneh Berurah 271:45-46)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Looking at the candles during kiddush

Hi,

There is a practice of looking at the Shabbat candles just before reciting Kiddush, and then looking at the actual cup of wine during Kiddush.

Looking at the Shabbat candles reminds us of the day, and it also enables us to enjoy the light we created for Shabbat. Further, the Talmud indicates that there is healing power in the light of the Shabbat candles.

We turn our eyes back to the Kiddush cup during Kiddush to avoid distraction from the blessing.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 271:10; Mishneh Berurah 271:48)

Have a great day,
Mordechai