K. Peisakhov, Tula, 1882-1898 - Kiddush cup (2) - Silver

These beautiful Kiddush cups are an authentic piece of Russian silver, crafted in Tula between 1882 and 1898. The cups bear the master mark HP, belonging to Khaim Peisakhov, owner of a silver workshop renowned for solid craftsmanship.

The combination of place, period, and maker makes these Kiddush cups a particularly notable collectible. The cups reflect 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 lovely and meaningful Kiddush cup suitable for use during Shabbat and holidays, but also very appealing to Judaica and antique silver collectors. A tangible and atmospheric object with historical depth.

Because both cups belong together, we wish to sell both cups as a pair.

Height: 5.5 cm. Diameter: 5 cm.

Total weight: 62.8 g.

Provenance: From the collection of Devotionalia.

What is Kiddush?

Kiddush ("sanctification") is a short ceremony in the evening, at the start of Shabbat and other holidays, during which a blessing 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 following morning. The blessing consists of two blessings: one over the wine and one over the Sabbath or a holiday. The father uses the Kiddush cup with the appropriate content, and every family member has their own smaller Kiddush cup. 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 recommend taking part in a 'cup of blessing' (kos shel bracha) — that is, a cup used for a mitzvah. This is how the "blessing" is shared with the others present. Therefore, after reciting Kiddush, someone usually pours some wine from his own cup, which is then poured into smaller cups for those present.

It is important to share the wine properly. The host should pour some wine from his own cup before he begins to drink. Not only is drinking from someone else’s cup off-putting to 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 Once someone has drunk from it, the wine is considered pagum (literally: "blemished") and is no longer valid for Kiddush — and only valid wine blesses when shared.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 Kiddush may pass his own cup after he has drunk. Although wine has already been drunk from it, 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 must ensure that he pours only a small amount — so that he still has the full required amount of revi’it in his cup after pouring. (See this earlier answer on 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, those present 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 drink it immediately before sharing the poured wine with others.