#71: The Structure of Kiddush

Following the recitation of Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chayil, the Friday night Kiddush is recited, which we began discussing last week. The Friday night Kiddush is essentially composed of 3 parts.

A. Vayechulu: This paragraph (taken from Bereishit 2:1-5) testifies that Hashem created the world and "rested" on the 7th day, which is one of the basic reasons why we keep Shabbat.

B. Beracha: Following Vayechulu, the berachah of "Hagafen" is recited on the cup of wine or grape juice. This fulfills the rabbinic mitzvah to recite Kiddush on a cup of wine or grape juice.

C. Beracha of sanctifying Shabbat: In this berachah, we sanctify ("mekadesh") Shabbat by declaring how Hashem made Shabbat holy and gave it to us, His chosen people.

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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.