The word Kiddush comes from kadosh, meaning “holy” or “set apart.” Every week, as the sun dips below the horizon, we enter sacred time — Shabbat. The Kiddush marks that moment. It’s the way we pause, breathe, and acknowledge that this day is different — that for the next 25 hours, we are invited to step away from the noise of the week and step into peace.
Days in Judaism begin at sundown and end at sundown, so as Friday turns into night, we welcome Shabbat with warmth, candlelight, and blessing. The Kiddush — said over wine or grape juice — is more than words. It’s an act of separation and remembrance, reminding us that holiness can be found in time itself.
Friday Night Kiddush
Traditionally recited after lighting the Shabbat candles, the Friday night Kiddush is said while standing, holding a cup of wine or grape juice in your right hand (or both hands together).
It begins with the verses from Genesis, recalling the creation of the world — when G-d rested on the seventh day and blessed it. Then we thank G-d for giving us this sacred gift of Shabbat, chosen in love.
Hebrew:
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.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְרָצָה בָנוּ,
וְשַׁבָּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ,
זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית.
כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ,
זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם.
כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל־הָעַמִּים,
וְשַׁבָּת קָדְשְׁךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.
Transliteration:
Vayechulu hashamayim veha’aretz vekhol tzeva’am.
Vayechal Elohim bayom hashvi’i melachto asher asah,
vayishbot bayom hashvi’i mikol melachto asher asah.
Vayevarech Elohim et yom hashvi’i vayekadesh oto,
ki vo shavat mikol melachto asher bara Elohim la’asot.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam,
borei p’ri hagafen.
Baruch 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 techilah l’mikra’ei kodesh,
zecher litzi’at Mitzrayim.
Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim,
v’shabbat kodsh’cha b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchaltanu.
Baruch Atah Adonai, mekadesh haShabbat.
English:
And the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.
And on the seventh day G-d finished His work which He had done,
and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
And G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it,
because on it He rested from all His work which G-d created to do.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments and desired us,
and has given us His holy Shabbat in love and favor,
as a remembrance of the act of Creation.
For it is the first among the holy convocations,
a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.
For You have chosen us and sanctified us above all nations,
and with love and favor given us Your holy Shabbat as an inheritance.
Blessed are You, L-rd, who sanctifies the Shabbat.
Shabbat Day Kiddush
On Shabbat morning, we recite a shorter Kiddush before the daytime meal. It’s simple yet deeply meaningful — a reminder that holiness is not only found in the evening, but continues into the light of day.
Hebrew:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְרָצָה בָנוּ,
וְשַׁבָּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.
English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments and desired us,
and has given us His holy Shabbat in love and favor.
Blessed are You, L-rd, who sanctifies the Shabbat.
A Moment to Reflect
When you say Kiddush, take a breath before you begin. Feel the stillness settle. This is your moment to draw close to something higher — to honor the beauty of rest, family, faith, and the rhythm of creation itself.
Each sip of wine, each word spoken, is a reminder that holiness isn’t somewhere else — it’s here, right now, in the stillness of your home and the glow of candlelight.
Shabbat invites us to stop doing and simply be.
📖 Sources and Further Reading:
The Chai Life 
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