Kiddush Cups

Frequently Asked Questions

A kiddush cup holds the wine or grape juice over which kiddush — the blessing sanctifying Shabbat and holidays — is recited at the start of the meal. It's used every Friday night and on every holiday, making it one of the most frequently used pieces of Judaica in a Jewish home, which is why a dedicated cup rather than a regular wine glass is the norm.

A kiddush fountain is a set with a central goblet that distributes wine into a ring of small matching cups — the sets in this collection hold eight. One person recites kiddush over the main goblet, and the fountain pours the wine down to individual cups so everyone at the table drinks from that single kiddush. They're available here in crystal, hammered metal, and anodized aluminum.

A kiddush cup should hold at least a revi'it — the halachic minimum measure, commonly cited as roughly 3 to 4 ounces, though exact opinions vary between authorities. Most full-size kiddush cups comfortably exceed that. If the precise minimum matters for your practice, it's worth confirming the standard your community follows with your rabbi.

Yes — a kiddush cup is one of the classic bar and bat mitzvah gifts, because it marks the milestone and then gets used every Shabbat afterward. Sterling silver is the traditional choice for the occasion; this collection's sterling silver cups anchor that tier, while polished metal designs by Michael Aram make a strong gift at a lower price point.

The matching plate under a kiddush cup catches overflow and drips — some have the custom of filling the cup to the brim, and the plate keeps wine off the tablecloth while completing the set visually. This collection's Eternal Blessings sterling silver cup and plate set is built that way; for cups sold alone, any small dish underneath does the same practical job.

Rinse and dry a silver kiddush cup soon after use — wine left standing in the cup is the main thing that dulls the finish over time. Beyond that, an occasional polish with a silver-safe product keeps sterling bright, and storing it away from humidity slows natural tarnish. Weekly use plus that minimal routine is all a good cup needs.