Kiddush — Full Step-by-Step Guide

What it is

The mitzvah

Kiddush means “sanctification.” On Friday night we declare the holiness of Shabbat over a cup of wine or grape juice, before the meal. There is also a shorter Kiddush on Shabbat day.

Why we do it

The sources

Shemot 20:8Direct Source

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

Pesachim 106aDirect Source

The Sages explain: “Remember it over wine.”

Pesachim 101aDirect Source

Kiddush is said where you eat your meal.

Before you start

What you need

A cup that holds at least about 3.3 oz (a revi’it)
Wine or grape juice
Two challah loaves, covered
A siddur

Full instructions

Step by step

Halachic note: These steps describe common practice. Details vary by community and halachic tradition — follow your family’s custom, and for your own situation, ask a rabbi.

After candle-lighting and shul, gather at the table. Cover the challah.
Fill the cup to the brim with wine or grape juice.
Stand (or sit — customs differ), hold the cup in your right hand.
Say the Kiddush text below. Everyone answers “Amen.”
Drink most of a cheekful, then pass the cup or pour for others.
Wash hands for bread and say Hamotzi.

Blessings & words

What to say

English first, then the words to say out loud — sounded out so anyone can say them.

Opening (from Bereishit 2:1–3)

יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם. וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת.

Say itYom hashishi. Vay’chulu hashamayim v’ha’aretz v’chol tz’va’am. Vay’chal Elohim bayom hash’vi’i m’lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hash’vi’i mikol m’lachto asher asah. Vay’varech Elohim et yom hash’vi’i vay’kadesh oto, ki vo shavat mikol m’lachto asher bara Elohim la’asot.

The sixth day. The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their host. On the seventh day God finished the work He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work which God created to make.

Over the wine

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.

Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Blessing of the day

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְרָצָה בָנוּ, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ, זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.

Say itBaruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’ratzah vanu, v’Shabbat kodsho b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchilanu, zikaron l’ma’aseh v’reishit. Ki hu yom t’chilah l’mikra’ei kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta, v’Shabbat kodsh’cha b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai, m’kadesh haShabbat.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and was pleased with us, and gave us His holy Shabbat in love and favor as a heritage, a remembrance of the work of creation. For it is the first of the holy days, a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. For You chose us and made us holy, and gave us Your holy Shabbat in love and favor as a heritage. Blessed are You, Lord, who sanctifies the Shabbat.

This page contains Hebrew prayer text with the Divine Name. If you print it, please treat it respectfully and dispose of it appropriately (in genizah).

Common questions

Questions people ask

Can I use grape juice?

Yes, grape juice is fully fine for Kiddush.

Do women make Kiddush?

Yes. Women are obligated in Kiddush just like men (Berachot 20b), and can say it for the family.

No wine at all?

You can make Kiddush over the challah instead, with Hamotzi in place of the wine blessing. Ask a rabbi for the exact order.

Where customs differ

Your family’s way

Wording differs slightly between siddurs (Ashkenazim add “mikol ha’amim,” from all the nations). Some stand for Kiddush, some sit. Follow your siddur and family.

Go deeper

The inner dimension

A testimony to creationDirect Source

Shabbat is called a sign “that in six days Hashem made heaven and earth” (Shemot 31:17). Every Kiddush is a weekly testimony that the world has a Creator.

Your one step

This Friday night, say the blessing over wine at your table.

I did mine

These are general guidelines. Customs differ between communities, and for a personal question, ask a rabbi you trust.

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