Kiddush for the Shabbat Evening
One of the traditions widely embraced in Jewish society for generations is the Kiddush recited on Shabbat evening. It is a cherished custom that embodies the essence of tradition within the broader community, alongside practices like Yom Kippur observance, lighting the Hanukkah candles, and the Passover Seder. In particular, it stands out as a central custom symbolizing the Shabbat experience at home.
The Shabbat Evening Ceremony, centered around the Kiddush, encompasses numerous customs that have evolved across various Jewish traditions, holding profound significance for both the time (Shabbat evening) and the place (the home) where people come together. This ceremony unfolds in a familial atmosphere, typically around the dinner table. Many of these customs bear the influence of Kabbalistic practices that gained prevalence in communities across the East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.
In general, the sequence is divided into several parts: piyutim (liturgical poems) and psalms recited before Kiddush, the Kiddush itself, and blessings and verses recited after Kiddush and before the blessing over the challah.
The sequence features key elements such as the well-known piyut "Shalom Aleichem," recited in various forms across different traditions, with variations in structure, repetitions, and melodies. "Eshet Chayil" (from Proverbs 31, traditionally attributed to the Shechinah and transformed into a hymn praising the woman of the house) and the Kiddush itself are integral components. Additional diverse elements within this framework comprise sections from the Zohar, the blessing for children, an intimate family moment where parents bless their children with the Priestly Blessing; and additional piyutim (such as "Azamer Bishvachin" composed by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the Ari), verses, and prayer excerpts, such as the Ribon Haolamim.
It is customary for the sequence until Kiddush to be recited while standing, although in most traditions, it is common to sit at the end of the Kiddush. This ritual is unique and distinct from other ceremonies recited in the annual and life cycle. On the one hand, it follows a relatively fixed, well-ordered, and organized sequence. On the other hand, it is not recited in the synagogue within the framework of prayer or in a formal atmosphere, but rather in the familial setting, around the table, encouraging flexibility, change, and constant renewal. This is manifested in the variety of ways families and other groups mark the ceremony in different contexts. The convergence of domestic space, family traditions, and the special moment of entering the Shabbat meal provides an opportunity for creativity and connection.
