885. Kiddush and Havdalah

Shabbos 29:1

There is a positive mitzvah to sanctify Shabbos verbally, as per Exodus 20:8, "Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it." This means that we should remember Shabbos by verbally praising its holiness. We do so when Shabbos arrives - with kiddush - and when it departs - with havdalah.

Shabbos 29:2

At this point, the Rambam provides the text of the kiddush we recite on Friday nights:

Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and desired us. He has given us the holy Sabbath with love and favor as an inheritance in order to commemorate the work of creation. It is the first of the holy gatherings, commemorating the exodus from Egypt, for You have chosen us and sanctified us of all nations. With love and favor You have given us Your holy Shabbos as an inheritance. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who sanctifies Shabbos.