A. “Kiddush” (pronounced KID-ish) means “designation”—physically or verbally designating or demarcating a person, place, thing or time for a higher purpose.
B. I’ll give ya a f’rinstance: f’rinstance, Positive Mitzvah #155 is to clearly delineate Shabbat as a day different than the days before and after it. This is done by Kiddush—making verbal statements at Shabbat’s start that Shabbat is distinct. But, what does “making verbal statements” mean? To answer this, rabbis established a set text for Kiddush, to be recited on Friday night at the Shabbat table.
C. When you say “I’m making Kiddush!” today, the usual response is: “On what?” That’s because Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of wine, grape juice or other alcoholic drink.
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