QIDDÛS

QIDDÛS. — “Sanctification” of the entrance of the Sabbath and festival day with a blessing upon a cup of wine.

This was performed at the end of the Friday evening prayer and at the end of the Sabbath morning prayer in the synagogue, and in time it came to be observed before the two meals (Friday evening and Saturday at noon) in the home. The qiddûš was recited by the head of the household or his representative (e.g., the eldest son). At the conclusion of the Sabbath and festivals, the habdhaláh, the prayer of “distinction,” was recited over wine to mark the separation between sacred and working time.