What is a kiddush cup and how is it used?

Answer 1

Drinking from the kiddush cup is an important part of Shabbat and most Jewish holidays. The word kiddush refers not to the cup itself but to the blessing said over the wine or Grape Juice in the cup, an event that blesses and sanctifies the holiday and it one of the chief ways (along with avoiding the 39 categories of work forbidden during Shabbat) that Jews abide by the mitzvah("commandment") to observe these special days. Reciting the kiddush blessing before the meal eaten after nightfall on Shabbat (the first meal of Shabbat) is commanded by the Torah whereas reciting it before other meals during Shabbat is a tradition of rabbinic orgin, meaning that rabbis decided it should be done without the Torah commanding it. Reciting kiddush before the last meal during Shabbat is largely optional - most Jews do not, but the 12th Century rabbi, doctor and philosopher Maimonides, who still has an enormous influence on Jewish thought to this day, believed that it should be carried out and so there are many Jews who do.

A kiddush cup can be any cup and of any material, but as is commonly the case with any ceremonial object (such as the crucifix a Christian might wear, the idols used by Hindus in their household temples and so on) people like to have a cup and so most are made of silver and often beautifully decorated.

Answer 2

Wine is a symbol of joy, and Shabbat is the most joyful day of the week. A special blessing, called Kiddush, is said over Shabbat, that also includes wine. The cup later came to be called a kiddush cup, but the cup has no religious significance, other than to be a special symbol for shabbat (and other holy days) that has no other use.

Answer 3

A kiddush cup, often made of silver, holds the wine on which we say the blessing (the kiddush) announcing the Sabbath. It can also be used for other blessings over wine such as Havdalah and the wedding-blessings.