Different views exist as to whether one should stand or sit while reciting Kiddush on Friday night. Tosafot (Medieval French and German Talmud commentators) indicate that everyone should be sitting when one recites Kiddush on behalf of others, and this is, indeed, the custom among many Ashkenazim. Some Ashkenazim stand for the first part of Kiddush – "Vayechulu" – which is a statement of testimony to the fact that G-d created the world, since testimony must be given while standing. There are also those who stand only for the first four words – "Yom Ha’shishi Va’yechulu Ha’shamayim" – as the first letters of these words spell the Name of "Havaya."
The custom in our community, however, follows the view of the Kabbalah, which is that one should stand for the entirety of Kiddush, from "Vayechulu" until the very end. It should be noted that our Kiddush text has 70 words – 35 words in "Vayechulu," and 35 words in the Beracha of "Asher Kideshanu Be’misvotav Ve’rasa Banu." This does not include the Beracha of "Ha’gefen" over the wine, or "Sabri Maranan."
In the Kiddush text we describe Shabbat as both "Zecher Le’maaseh Bereshit" – commemorating the world’s creation – and "Zecher Li’ysiat Misrayim" – commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Shabbat commemorates the Exodus because slaves are not given any rest from their duties. The experience of Shabbat is possible only because we were freed from Egyptian slavery.
According to Kabbalistic tradition, one should preferably use a silver cup for Kiddush. Silver represents mercy, and wine represents judgment. By using a silver cup for Kiddush, we have the effect of "sweetening" any harsh judgments that have been issued against us.
The cup should be washed – both the interior and exterior – before Kiddush, and then filled until the top. If one does not have enough wine to fill the cup, it suffices to pour a Rebi’it. The cup should be presented to the one who will recite the Kiddush. He should receive the cup with both hands and then holds it in his right hand. Before beginning Kiddush, one should look at the Shabbat candles. Some sources say that seeing the candles before Kiddush can bring healing to the eyes. During Kiddush, one should hold the cup one Tefah (approximately three inches) above the table. According to the Arizal, the cup should be held near the chest during Kiddush.
If somebody had drunk from the Kiddush cup before Kiddush, it may not be used, as it is considered "Pagum" ("blemished").
A broken or chipped cup should not be used for Kiddush, though if one did use such a cup, he has fulfilled his obligation. According to the Magen Abraham (Rav Avraham Gombiner, Poland, 1637-1682), even if the base of the cup is broken it should preferably not be used for Kiddush. It is preferable not to use a disposable cup for Kiddush, but it may be used if no other cup is available. This is the ruling of Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998) and Hacham Ovadia Yosef.
During the recitation of Kiddush, the bread on the table must be covered both on top and on bottom. The bread on the Shabbat table commemorates the manna which Beneh Yisrael ate in the desert. It should therefore be covered, just as the manna was "wrapped" in a layer of dew underneath and another layer on top. If the table is covered by a tablecloth, the tablecloth can be considered the lower covering. Likewise, if the bread is placed on a plate or board, this suffices as the bottom cover. The bread should be covered from the time it is placed on the table until after Kiddush. Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that it is preferable – though not strictly required – to keep the bread covered even after Kiddush, until one recites "Ha’mosi."
