Wine For Jews | Hirhurim ? Torah Musings

I have studiously avoided developing a taste for wine, but not for the obvious reason. R. Mordechai Willig often exhorts his listeners to avoid alcohol other than the bare minimum necessary for religious requirements. Like the nazirite of old, we who see so much promiscuity must also foreswear liquor (see Rashi to Num. 6:1). I cannot live up to R. Willig?s standard but attempt to follow it in spirit, sticking to a one-drink limit.

However, despite being raised by wine lovers, I have consciously avoided appreciating fine winefor even my single drink. The reason is simple: I can?t afford the expensive habit. I prefer to spend what little discretional spending I have on books rather than delicacies, expanding my mind rather than my palate. Instead I stick to one or two wines and drinks that I know and try not to learn too much about the qualities and differences of drinks. But, not only does my careful balance fail R. Willig?s concerns, it also leaves me bereft of the spiritual benefits of wine appreciation.

Irving Langer?s The Kosher Grapevine: Exploring the World of Fine Wine is a charming guide to the history of and Jewish attitudes to kosher winemaking, as well as the nuances of different wines. Langer?s humor and clarity allow even an ignoramus like me to learn about wine and his spiritual mindset provides a Jewish context to all his teachings. His meticulous research of Jewish texts provides fascinating historical and halakhic background. This short and easy-to-read book covers a lot of ground.

Langer?s passion for wine demonstrates not only a love for the beverage but an appreciation of it. The Kuzari (3:17) explains that the requirement of a blessing increases the enjoyment. When you stop to think about what you are eating?its main ingredients and its differences from other foods?you enjoy it more. I understand this to mean that we differentiate between foods with regard to blessings?what grows in the ground, on trees, etc.?in order to make the eating more pleasurable. The more you understand fine food, the more you enjoy it (as opposed to salami, in which case you enjoy it less). The Sages instituted detailed blessings on food in order to increase the understanding, joy and appreciation for it.

Conversely, the less you know about what you put into your body, the less you enjoy and appreciate it. If you want to be truly grateful to God for the food, you should learn about it?what it consists of, how it is produced, how it differs from other food. You will not only marvel at the wonders of food development and production and enjoy the food more, you will also gain greater appreciation for the divine gift.

In addition to the many Jewish concepts of wine, Langer?s book will also teach you about the differences between wines. This book will allow you to differentiate, enjoy and ultimately praise God for the incredible gifts of wines. The joys of wine are holy. The only question is whether they are appropriate for our unusual place in history.

Source: http://torahmusings.com/2012/09/wine-for-jews/

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