Wine
figures into most Jewish celebrations. It is always a symbol of joy. On
Shabbat, festivals, and other holy days, wine is used to sanctify the day.
A blessing is recited over the wine (as a blessing is recited over all food)
plus an additional paragraph which sanctifies the holy day. It is customary
to pour the wine into a kiddush cup, a ceremonial cup for the purpose of
sanctification. A kiddush cup may be made of silver, pewter, glass, or ceramic
and is often decorated with Jewish motifs and pretty designs. After the
blessing is recited, the wine is drunk. On Passover, the seder service includes
drinking four cups of wine, though these can be very small cups. For those
who do not drink wine, grape juice is often substituted.
The
blessing recited over wine, the fruit of the vine, is:
