There are many, many occasions in the calendar year and lifecycle of Yiddishkeit when one makes a bracha with a cup of wine, with varying levels of chiyuv. Some examples: Kiddush on Shabbos and Yom Tov, Birkas HaMazon, Havdala, Birkas Eirusin, Sheva Brachos, daled kosos on Pesach, bris mila, and pidyon haben. Some of these are essential chiyuvim [מעכב ], some are nonessential chiyuvim, some are not chiyuvim, and some are based on minhag, as will be explained. In any case, there are many halachos regarding the kos shel bracha, so we will detail here some practical and commonly encountered halachos. [Some halachos are derived from the kos of Paroh mentioned at the end of Parshas Vayeishev. It is also from there that we learn the fact that a “kos” is specifically meant for holding wine, as the posuk says “וכוס פרעה בידי, ואקח את הענבים וכו'.”]
Sources for Making a Bracha with Wine
2. Birkas HaMazon. Chazal say in the Gemara that Birkas HaMazon and Kiddush are only made with wine (פסחים קז. ). See below.
3. Limitless inheritance. R’ Yochanan said, “Whoever makes a bracha with a full cup [of wine] is given a limitless inheritance, as the posuk says (דברים ל''ג, כ''ג ), ‘נפתלי שבע רצון ומלא ברכת ה' ים ודרום ירשה .’” (גמ' ברכות דף נ''א ע''א )
4. Two worlds. R’ Yosi bar Chanina says, “[Whoever makes a bracha with a full cup of wine] is zocheh to inherit two worlds, this world and the next world.” (גמ' שם )
5. Shira with wine. Shira is only sung with wine (גמ' ברכות דף ל''ה ע''א ). Just as we find that the Leviyim only sang Shira when they poured wine onto the Mizbeiach, so too Chazal instituted several brachos to be said with wine (רי''ף ערבי פסחים דף כ''ב ע''א ).
6. In a manner of honor, praise. Many brachos instituted by Chazal are to be said with a cup of wine. Since it is a manner of honor and praise, it is fitting to arrange Hashem’s praises and brachos while holding a cup of wine. As the posuk says, “כוס ישועות אשא ובשם ה' אקרא ” (לבוש סי' קפ''ב ).
