The Minhag Not To Recite Kiddush Friday Night During the 6th Hour

 There exists an intriguing minhag found primarily in Chassidic communities to avoid reciting kiddush between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.on or the 6th hour on Friday night (Magen Avrohom O.C. 271:1). This is based on kabbalistic considerations relating to the "mazalos", the different celestial influences, which are dominant in the world at various hours throughout the day and night. It is taught that during the last hour of the day on Friday, the positive mazal of "Tzedek" and its corresponding angel "Tzidkiyahu" are dominant in the world. Once Shabbos enters, however, the negative influences of "Madim" (often associated with the planet Mars), and its accompanying angel "Samael", then prevail. As such, in order to avoid contributing positive spiritual forces at a time which would benefit the power of Madim, we are advised to either recite kiddush while Tzedek still dominates or otherwise wait until the influence of Madim has passed.

  Madim is said to be the force which is responsible for bringing sickness and disease into the world[6] as well as destruction, war, murder, robbery, and devastation. It is also the mazal identified with the nation of Amalek. We are taught that those who are born during the cycle of Madim will tend towards professions which involve blood, such as a Mohel or Shochet

There is an approach to this custom which suggests connecting the word "Madim" with "Adom", red. According to this approach, it is only forbidden to recite kiddush between 6 pm and 7 pm on red wine, but using white wine would pose no such concerns. This interpretation, however, has been all but rejected and the custom does not differentiate between red or white wine. It is interesting to note that among the reasons we daven a little later than usual on Shabbos morning is in order to avoid having to recite kiddush when certain negative mazalos are dominant early in the morning. It is said that domestic arguments break out among family members on Shabbos due to the influence of these negative forces.

Most halachic authorities, however, completely dismiss the minhag of not making Kiddush between 6pm and 7pm. Among the reasons for this is because we are taught that the Jewish people are not subject to "mazal" or other astrological influences and Friday nights should be no exception. In fact, most halachic sources don’t even acknowledge the existence of this custom at all. Furthermore, we are taught that the holiness of Shabbos cancels out the harmful effects of negative forces.

In fact, in keeping with the teaching that "through the proper observance of Shabbat we will merit to see the extermination of Amalek", it may actually be appropriate to recite kiddush specifically when the angel of Amalek is dominant. There may be no better way of humiliating Amalek than to have him watch helplessly as the Jewish people recite kiddush and indulge in the gastronomical pleasures of Shabbos during his period of celestial rule. [19]

Other authorities recommend complying with this custom when possible, though never at the expense of prolonging the hunger of one's guests or other family members. Feeding hungry guests is so great a mitzva that its merit alone has the power to prevail over any possible harmful effects of mazalos. Those who do follow this custom are obligated to so notify their prospective Shabbos guests in advance in order for them to prepare themselves accordingly. Causing guests to remain in a state of hunger is considered a form of murder which is surely worse than any mystical considerations. One who must recite kiddush between 6pm and pm is advised to recite the "Av Harachamim" prayer, recited when the Torah is removed from the Aron Kodesh, before doing so. This is because it is a prayer which asks that God save us "from the bad hours".

There is much discussion as to how the hour of "6 pm to 7 pm" is to be calculated.[22] Many authorities are of the opinion that 6 pm to 7 pm is to be taken literally. According to this view, one should not recite kiddush between 6 p.m.  and 7 p.m any Friday night of the year, regardless of when Shabbos had entered.[24]Others suggest that 6 pm to 7 pm is to be reckoned according to "sha'os zemanios" – halachic hours. A less less widespread version of the custom puts the "no-kiddush zone" between 5:40 pm to 6:40 pm all year long. There is also an opinion that one should simply not recite kiddush for one hour following nightfall. There are other approaches for calculating when not to recite kiddush, as well.

Some authorities rule that this custom only applies on those Shabbasos when there are an equal number of daytime and nighttime hours. Additionally, there are those who say that one need not be concerned with this custom in Eretz Yisrael as mazalos have no influence there.At then end of a fast, such as when the 10th of Tevet falls out on a Friday, even those who normally follow this custom should make kiddush as soon as the fast is over in order not to remain fasting on Shabbos. Similarly, one should not delay the Friday night Pesach Seder for the sake of observing this minhag.

Source and footnotes OUtorah.org