The Kiddush in the modern Jewish tradition is a blessing “sanctifying the Shabbat.” I have experienced it also as the small meal after the Saturday prayer service is ended and before the worshippers go their ways to meals in their homes. Saturday morning Kiddush has always had the feel of a communion service to me — partly I suppose because it is small. The glass of juice I’ve been served is no more than the size of our communion cups. The challah is, happily, always a bit more than we allow in our tradition! But also because the moment is a communal moment of eating and celebrating.
Jews will recite at the Saturday morning Kiddush texts from Isaiah and Exodus.
If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your affairs on My holy day. If you call the sabbath “delight,” God’s holy day “honored”; And if you honor it and go not your ways nor look to your affairs, nor strike bargains. Then you can delight in God. I will set you upon the heights of the earth, and let you enjoy the inheritance of your father Jacob, for the mouth of God has spoken.
Isaiah 58.13-14
Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. . .
Exodus 20.8
And then the people say: “Blessed are you God, our Lord, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.” With a resounding “L’Chaim,” the cup is shared together.
I would like to try a modified version of Kiddush this Sunday and Sundays to follow. Our sign off is always a bit awkward, and maybe there’s no real way to solve that problem. But as part of our Benediction, I will invite you to raise your cup — coffee or tea, juice or wine and say to yourself or to whoever is with you, “L’Chaim!”