K. Peisakhov, Tula - Kiddush cup - Silver

Antique silver Kiddush cup – Tula, 1882–1898

This fine Kiddush cup is an authentic piece of Russian silver, made in Tula between 1882 and 1898. The cup bears the master mark ХП, belonging to Khaim Peisakhov, owner of a silver workshop known for its solid craftsmanship.

The combination of place, period, and maker makes this Kiddush cup a particularly collectible item. The piece reflects both the religious tradition of Kiddush and the rich history of Jewish silverwork in the Russian Empire at the end of the 19th century.

A beautiful and meaningful Kiddush cup suitable for use during Shabbat and holidays, but also highly attractive to Judaica and antique silver collectors. A tangible and atmospheric object with historical depth.

Height: 6.5 cm. Diameter: 3.9 cm.

Weight: 24.8 grams.

Provenance: From the collection of Devotionalia.

What is Kiddush?

Kiddush ("sanctification") is a short ceremony in which, in the evening at the start of Shabbat and other holidays, a prayer is recited over a cup of wine. The blessing is recited by the head of the household in the presence of the whole family, directly after returning from the synagogue, before the evening meal, and is repeated the next morning. The prayer consists of two blessings: one over the wine and one over the Sabbath or a holiday. The father uses the Kiddush cup with the correct contents, and all family members have their own smaller Kiddush cups. This is considered healthier than drinking directly from the same large, shared Kiddush cup.

The Aish Rabbi answers: The reason for sharing the wine (or grape juice) is that the Wise Ones advise participating in a "cup of blessing" (kos shel bracha) – that is, a cup that has been used for a mitzvah (a commandment). Thus the "blessing" is shared with the other attendees. Therefore, after reciting the Kiddush, someone usually pours some wine from their own cup, which is then poured into smaller cups for those present.

It is important to share the wine in the proper way. The host should pour some wine from his own cup before he begins to drink. Not only is drinking from someone else’s cup considered off-putting by many, but only pure wine may be shared. Once someone has drunk from it, the wine is considered pagum (literally: "blemished") and is no longer valid for Kiddush – and only valid wine blesses when shared. Alternatively, the person who recites the Kiddush can pass his own cup after he has drunk from it. Although that wine has already been drunk from, because it remains in the original cup, it is not pagum and may be shared.

If the host pours wine from his own cup before he begins to drink, he should ensure that he pours only a small amount – so that he still has the full required quantity of a revi’it left in his cup after pouring. (See this earlier answer about the required amount of wine.) If his cup is small and there are many guests, a common solution is to pre-pour a quantity of wine from the bottle into a separate cup and then pour a little Kiddush wine into that cup before sharing it with others.

Finally, the attendees should wait to drink the wine they have received until the host himself begins to drink. Indeed, after the host has poured some wine from his cup into a second cup, he should immediately drink it himself before sharing the poured wine with others.