Themes of Featured Contemporary Kabbalists Articles

The fourth of the Ten Commandments proclaims: "Remember the Shabbat Day to keep it holy." At the beginning of the Shabbat there has to be an act of separation, of consecration, emphasizing the difference between the work-days of the week and the holy day, which enables the soul to move into a state of inner tranquility and spiritual receptiveness.

The Kiddush cup symbolizes the vessel through which, and into which, blessing comes. Wine evokes plentitude and power. After filling the cup, now the vessel of consecration containing the divine plenty, the time has come for the recitation of the words of consecration of the Kiddush prayer.