Sefer Shemot · Parashat Yitro
Mitzvah 31: The commandment of the sanctification of Shabbat with words
Sefer HaChinukh 31Exodus 20:8
The mitzvah in Sefer HaChinukh
The commandment of the sanctification of Shabbat with words: To speak words on the Shabbat upon its entry and also its departure - that there be in them cognizance of the greatness of the day and its stature and its positive distinction from the other days before it and after it; as it is stated (Exodus 20:8), “Remember the Shabbat day, to sanctify it,” meaning to say, remember it with a memory of [its] holiness and greatness. And in explanation, our Sages told us (Pesachim 110a) that we are commanded to say these things upon wine - as so does the explanation come: remember it over wine. And the content is that we place into a cup a revi’it or more of pure or mixed wine - but not less than this (Pesachim 108b). And it is known that the [proportions of the] mixture is one part pure good wine to three parts water. And we recite the blessing of the Kiddush (sanctification) of Shabbat upon it, according to the wording that is known among the Jews. And so [too], at the departure of Shabbat, we recite the blessing over the wine in honor of the day - and that blessing of the conclusion of Shabbat is called Havdalah (Berakhot 52a).
Torah source
Sefer HaChinukh cites Exodus 20:8.
Remember the Shabbat day, to sanctify it,
The reason given by Sefer HaChinukh
A corresponding passage could not be identified safely in this source record.
Details noted by Sefer HaChinukh
The laws of the commandment - for example, which is the wording of the Kiddush and the Havdalah; which wine is fitting to recite upon the Kiddush and which is not (Bava Batra 97a); if we sanctify or recite Havdalah over ale (Pesachim 107a); one who eats on the eve of Shabbat and the Shabbat [begins] (Pesachim 100a), or on Shabbat and Shabbat departs; so [too] the wording of the Kiddush and Havdalah of holidays; the laws of the blessings we are obligated to recite upon the candle on the conclusion of Shabbat and Yom Kippur; the laws of the blessing that we are obligated to recite over the spices and which spices are fitting to bless upon them or not fitting (Berakhot 51b); and the rest of its details - are [all] elucidated at the end of Pesachim and in places in Berakhot. (See Tur, Orach Chaim 262, 271.)
Applicability in Sefer HaChinukh
And [it] is practiced in every place and at all times by males and females - even though it is from the commandments that is caused by time (from which women are generally exempt). As so did our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, teach us (Berakhot 20b) that women are obligated in Kiddush and Havdalah. And one who transgresses it and does not perform the Kiddush with words has nullified this positive commandment. And if he performs the Kiddush with words without wine and without bread, he has fulfilled it ex post facto [according to] the Torah.
Related sources
Source edition: Sefer HaChinukh, translated by R. Francis Nataf, Sefaria 2018. License: CC0. These source excerpts are provided for study and are not a practical halachic ruling.