Halachot and Customs
Standing or Sitting During Kiddush
Kiddush, Havdalah, Birkat HaGomel, and Prayer Priority
Question
Hello,
Several questions have recently come up:
1. It is customary to stand during Kiddush on Friday night and to sit during the daytime Kiddush.
On the other hand, in Havdalah one must sit in order to fulfill the obligation, while for Birkat HaGomel one must stand in order to fulfill the obligation.
What is the reason for the difference in all these cases?
2. At various gas stations, one can purchase, among other things, a cup of hot or cold coffee.
There is a store very close to the house that is open on Shabbat, but all the products are kosher.
Is it permitted to buy coffee there? Does it make a difference if it is cold coffee or hot coffee?
Thank you very much!
Answer
Hello and blessings
1. According to the revealed dimension of the Torah, there is room to stand during the nighttime Kiddush only until the blessing of Borei Pri Hagafen, at which point one should sit and complete the Kiddush while seated. The custom to stand during the nighttime Kiddush is a custom based on Kabbalah, and there are those who conduct all their affairs according to Kabbalah who also stand during the daytime Kiddush.
The poskim discussed the reason why Birkat HaGomel is recited standing, and wrote several reasons for this. One of them is that since this is a blessing that must be recited in public, it should be said while standing out of respect for the public, or because it is like a thanksgiving offering, and the bringing of a sacrifice was done only while standing.
2. In principle, it is permitted, but it is very proper to refrain from strengthening the hands of transgressors.
Good luck,
Benyamin Shmueli
