Kiddush - Holding Position

QUESTION: What is the proper way to hold the kos shel bracha (cup of wine used, e.g., for Kiddush)? I have seen some people hold the cup from the bottom while others hold it from the middle. Which one is correct?

ANSWER: The Mishnah Berurah (183:14-16) writes that a right-handed person should hold the cup in the right hand and lift the cup at least a tefach (approximately 3-4 inches) off the table. One should not support the cup with one’s left hand. Mishnah Berurah quotes the Shelah who writes that according to Kabbalah the proper way to hold the cup is on the palm of the right hand with the fingers extending upwards around the cup. The source for this is the Zohar. However, the Magen Avrohom (183:6) writes that the wording of the Zohar is inconclusive. It can also be interpreted to refer to wrapping one’s fingers around the middle of the kos. The Bach (183:6) maintains that one may hold the kos in the middle. Indeed, there were great tzadikim who specifically held the kos in this manner (see Va’yaas Avrohom, p. 445). Both customs have a valid basis in halacha, and everyone should follow his mesorah from his parents and ancestors. A left-handed person should hold the cup in the left hand (Beis Yosef 183:8, quoting Shibolei Haleket).

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