#63: Machshavah

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 31) offers an explanation for the reasoning behind this mitzvah, as well as for the Rabbinic requirement to use wine. He explains that Kiddush is designed as a reminder that Hashem created the world, and the wine enables us to enhance the joy we feel on this special day:

“The roots of this commandment are… that we be awakened through this act to remember the greatness of the day and that we establish in our hearts faith in the creation of the world. Therefore, we are obligated to perform this act with wine, since the nature of man is to be greatly enlivened by it (Berachot 35b), as it satiates and brings joy. I have already told you that a man will always be affected towards matters according to the extent of his being awakened and his acts.”

When listening to Kiddush every week, we should make sure to think about and be inspired by the meaning of the words and the significance of the mitzvah. Hopefully, this will enhance our Shabbat experience overall.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.