A silver kiddush cup is a special glass that you pour wine into when you want to sanctify a Sabbath, Jewish holiday or other celebration. You can also use it to hold grape juice or another liquid. It is used by Jews for many different reasons, but mostly when they are celebrating a special occasion like a wedding or Bar Mitzvah. The cup itself is usually decorated with etchings or paint so that family members can identify their own cups.
The cup is made of a variety of materials including anodized aluminum pewter, sterling silver 925 and onyx stone. Some are coated in 14-karat gold which is a very popular way to make them more durable and less likely to tarnish. They are also available in a wide variety of sizes from small to large. Many people add a rim around their cups to help protect them from scratches or other damage.
It is important to remember that you must always wash your hands before touching the cup or drinking from it. You also need to be careful not to let any of the wine drip onto other items on your table.
Although the Mishna in Pesachim (90a) states that the wine for kiddush must be red, many authorities have allowed for the use of grape juice if there is not enough wine available or if you cannot drink it for medical or personal reasons. Some families also use water or non-alcoholic beverages such as apple juice to recite the blessings over. גביע קידוש מכסף