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The Sages instituted drinking four cups of wine to increase the celebration of our redemption and to give expression to our freedom. The four cups are as follows. Kiddush, which contains some of the essential ideas of Passover, is recited over the first cup. Maggid, including the story of the Exodus and the first part of Hallel, concludes with the second cup. Birkat Ha-mazon is recited over the third cup. Finally, we recite the second part of Hallel (along with other praises of God) over the fourth cup. Thus, each of these four stages is accompanied by wine.
The Sages explain that the four cups correspond to the four expressions of redemption that appear in the Torah (Exodus 6:6-7). As a rule, the number four represents completeness, as it corresponds to the four cardinal directions of the world. Since the Exodus brought about a complete upheaval of the world, we drink four cups of wine in its honor. Many people think holiness can be expressed only in spiritual activities like prayer and Torah study. The more ascetic a person becomes, the greater holiness achieved. To combat this error, the Sages instituted the recital of Kiddush over wine on every Shabbat and festival. In addition, they incorporated four cups of wine into the Seder. This teaches us that complete holiness is manifested when we integrate Torah and faith with physical celebration and joy, giving the body its due.
It is preferable to use a fine wine for the four cups, one that not only brings cheer but can also be savored. The wine should be alcoholic, as this induces feelings of happiness, release, and freedom. At the same time, people should not drink so much they become tired or drunk. Therefore, some have a custom to water down the wine or use a relatively small cup, so they remain happy and lively through the recitation of the Haggada. Those who find drinking wine unpleasant (for example, it gives them a headache) may fulfill the mitzva with grape juice instead.
The wine glass must contain at least a revi’it of wine (about 75 ml or 2.5 oz.). Generally, a wine glass is larger than this. To honor the mitzva, the glass should be filled up, but not so full as to spill. While drinking all of the wine is preferable, it is sufficient to drink the majority of a revi’it (about 40 ml).
One should recline while drinking the wine, as we will explain in the next section. It is preferable to drink the majority of the wine at one time, without delay or talking unnecessarily. However, even if someone ended up taking six or seven minutes to drink the wine, they have still fulfilled the obligation. Children over the age of five or six should be given four cups to drink, but grape juice rather than wine.
