Can you please tell me where the Kiddush comes from and a little about its background as like who started it and why, and maybe some tips on what do I do and what do I not do when making Kiddush?
The Kiddush is a commandment in the Torah; actually, part of the Ten Commandments! In Exodus 20:8 when G-d told the Jewish People to observe the seventh day of the week as a Sabbath He began with the directive, “Remember the day of Sabbath to sanctify it.” The Hebrew word used for ‘to sanctify it’ is ‘Likadsho’ – the same word as ‘Kiddush.’ The Talmud (Pesachim 106a) understands this to be the source for making Kiddush on Friday Night and on the Sabbath day that follows.
The essence of Kiddush is to instill our hearts with the joy of commemorating the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a celebration of the creation of the world which was completed on the seventh day of the week. To stimulate a sense of joy from the celebration we instill our hearts with a glass of wine.
From the beginning of the Sabbath until Kiddush you should be careful not to eat or drink anything; Kiddush should be the first taste of the Sabbath. Wine is the preferred beverage because of its joyous nature, though grape juice is sufficient if you find that more enjoyable.
You then take the glass in your hand and recite the Kiddush service. It consists of two paragraphs with a blessing over the wine in the middle. The first paragraph testifies to G-d’s completion of the world on the seventh day. In the second paragraph we make a blessing on the Sabbath and affirm how special the Sabbath is and its unique relationship to the Jewish People. Some recite the first paragraph standing, as if giving testimony to G-d’s creation of the world.
You begin by saying quietly,
“Vayehi Erev Vayehi Voker…”
Then continue in your regular voice:
…Yom Hashishi:
Vayechulu Hashamayim V’Ha’aretz V’Chol Tzeva’am:
Vayechal Elohim Bayom Hashevi’i
Melachto Asher Assa:
Vayishbot Bayom Hashvi’i
Mikol Melachto Asher Assa:
Vayevarech Elohim Et Yom Hashvi’i Vayekadesh Oto:
Ki Vo Shavat Mikol Melachto Asher Bara Elohim La’asot:
After finishing the first paragraph you then recite the blessing over the wine:
Savri Maranan V’rabanan V’rabotai:
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha’olam,
Boreh P’ri Hagafen.
Then continue on to the next paragraph:
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha’olam,
Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’ratza Vanu,
V’shabbat Kodsho B’ahava Uv’ratzon Hinchilanu,
Zikaron L’ma’aseh Veresheet,
Ki Hu Yom Techila Lemikra’ei Kodesh,
Zecher Li’tziat Mitzraim.
Ki Vanu Vacharta V’otanu Kidashta Mikol Ha’amim.
V’shabbat Kod’shecha B’ahava Uv’ratzon Hinchaltanu.
Baruch Ata Adonai M’kadesh Hashabbat.
That’s the text for Friday night.
You then drink the glass of wine. You need not finish the whole glass, but be sure to drink about 2 fluid ounces at the very least. A sip is not enough to instill our hearts with joy. If you are making the Kiddush for other people too they may drink just a sip. The Kiddush should then be followed with a meal in honor of the Sabbath day.
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Mordechai Dixler
[See the free online book Friday Night and Beyond the Shabbat Experience Step-by-Step]