If you’re Jewish and celebrate Shabbat or the holidays, you are probably familiar with the Kiddush ceremony that precedes each meal. It’s a beautiful ritual that sanctifies the Sabbath and holiday meals, and it is performed with fine utensils and ornamentation. A wine fountain, or Kiddush cup set, is one way of adding a touch of elegance to the table as you perform this beautiful ritual. Whether you’re looking for a traditional or modern Kiddush cup, there are many options available online to suit your style and budget. While there is no religious obligation to use a special Kiddush cup for the Sabbath blessing, many families have heirloom cups they love using on their Shabbat and holiday tables. Others purchase ornate silver Kiddush cups for the beauty they add to their polished wood challah board, pristine linen tablecloth and silver Shabbat candlesticks. Then there are the savvy Judaica buyers who buy a wine fountain to simplify and elevate the process of distributing the Kiddush wine among family members and guests. The first step in the Kiddush ceremony is to pour some wine into a large cup over which the blessing is recited. Then the host divides the wine evenly into smaller, matching cups that are passed around the table. Originally, this was done by simply pouring directly from the larger cup into the smaller cups. However, this often resulted in spills on the nice Shabbat tablecloth and the wine would sometimes end up on guests’ clothing. The wine fountain was invented as a hygienic, convenient and more attractive solution to this problem. Today, you can buy an array of gorgeous silver wine fountains that dress up the Shabbat or holiday table while ensuring everyone gets a fair share of the wine. Some even feature a “wine aerator” that mixes the wine with water to enhance its flavor. If you are not a wine drinker, or your family doesn’t enjoy the taste of wine, there is also an option to fill the fountain with juice or other liquids. Some models are made from pewter, nickel or silver plated materials and beautifully embellished with designs of Jerusalem, luscious grapes or graphic diamond patterns. Artists such as Yair Emanuel and Naftali Karshi have created stunning wine fountains that are both a work of art and an elegant addition to the table. A Kiddush fountain is an excellent gift for a Judaica collector or a simple way to add a bit of beauty and excitement to the Shabbat and Holiday table. They make great wedding gifts, as well. Buying a high-quality, beautifully designed wine fountain will ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and tradition of this beautiful ritual for years to come.
