Woodside_park Synagogue

The Y behind the traditions - FRIDAY NIGHT KIDDUSH IN THE SHUL

This article has been written by Rabbi Hackenbroch to explain the "Y" behind the tradition of reciting Friday night kiddush in shul.

In many shuls in the Diaspora,it is traditional as part of ashkenazic custom that the chazzan says Kiddush on Friday night in shul as part of the service. The wine is distributed to children who have not yet reached the age of mitzvot. The obvious question is what is the purpose of making Kiddush in shul if we are all going to return home straight after the service and make Kiddush for our families? In fact in Israel Kiddush is not said in shul on Friday night.

There are two beautiful reasons. The first being, that Kiddush was instituted for the benfit of guests who used to spend Shabbat and eat their meals in rooms adjacent to the shul. Although nowadays this is generally not the case, nevertheless the practise was not halted. This is because any legislation enacted by our sages, even if the initial reason may no longer apply is not usually annulled unless under very special conditions. The second explanation is based on a concept we derive from mishlei which states "amongst the multitude of people there is the majesty of a king. Just like the halacha requires Chanukah candles to be lit in shul eventhough everyone lights the candles in his own home, so also it is proper to recite Kiddush in shul in the presence of the kehilla the community even though every one is still obligated to recitye it again at home.

A third explanation is that some people do not know the words of Kiddush . hearing it recited in shul will inspire them to treat this matter seriously, to learn how to say Kiddush and recite it in their own homes. A final explanation is that some individuals come to shul to pray but do not recite Kiddush at home. By hearing Kiddush from the chazzan such people fulfil their Kiddush obligation. Even though Kiddush should ideally be said only where one east ones meal, nevertheless according to Torah law one fulfils his obligation even if he recites Kiddush in a place where he is not going to eat his meal.