A kiddush cup is the special goblet used for blessing wine during Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The cup can vary in design and size from simple to ornate. Some come with a fountain that helps pour the wine for all to enjoy, and others have elaborate designs or decorations such as iconography of Jerusalem and Temple, or time tested patterns that look like floral or lace.
Traditionally a kiddush cup is crafted from sterling silver, but other materials are sometimes used. Many kiddush cups feature fruit or grapes to symbolize the wine that is being blessed, and some even have initials engraved on them, or a passage from the bible. Some also have an architectural scene, often depicting a simple town scape that features a synagogue.
In the past, kiddush cups were hand made by Jewish professionals using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations. Today, most kiddush cups are made in factories that use pressing machines to combine two pieces of silver, and a jeweler then welds them together and adds the decoration, depending on the style choice. Some styles, such as those that feature Filigree decoration, require meticulous work that takes years to master.
Kiddush cups make a great addition to any Judaica collection, and they are often given as gifts for weddings or bar or bat mitzvahs. They are also a beautiful way to welcome family and friends for Shabbat or a Jewish holiday meal, and they can be used to mark important events in the Jewish calendar. kiddush cup