Kiddush

Kiddush is a Jewish prayer and blessing recited over wine or grape juice, typically at the start of Shabbat (the Sabbath) and Jewish festivals. Its purpose is to sanctify and mark the beginning of a sacred time, recognizing it as special and separate from the ordinary days. The prayer expresses gratitude to God for creating the wine and the Sabbath, acknowledging the divine rest and renewal. The Kiddush is often recited in a communal setting, emphasizing unity and reverence for tradition, and is followed by a sip of the drink as a symbolic act of sanctification.