Tzipporah Gindi

The Hebrew month of Adar is here and joy is in the air. As the festive holiday of Purim approaches, preparation is in order. It’s time to prepare mishloahmanot baskets for friends and family, set aside money for matanotl’evyonim, get some costumes for the big and little ones alike, and make a menu for the beautiful Purim seudah. And when Purim finally comes around, be sure to remember what a holy and exceptional day it truly is, so we can grab this once-a-year amazing opportunity for prayer and inspiration.  

MISHLOAH MANOT 

In the weeks preceding Purim, Jews across the globe become occupied with preparing mishloahmanot baskets, bags or boxes in order to fulfill the mitzvah of giving “gifts” to at least one other person on Purim day.

Before you begin preparing your mishloah manot, make a list of all family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues that you would like to give to on Purim. Then go to the nearest dollar store and buy enough baskets, bags, or boxes, and at least two foods to include. And don’t forget to make colorful labels with your family name so your recipients know the mishloah manot is from you and your bunch.

The purpose of giving mishloahmanot is to fulfill the mitzvah and to strengthen the warm bonds of camaraderie among Jews. So there is no need to spend an inordinate amount of time or money on your mishloahmanot. If you are the creative type, or your kids really enjoy coming up with themes and putting together bags, then shop and stuff to your heart’s delight. But before you overdo it, remember that two items and a nice presentation for at least one person is all that is required.  

GIFTS TO THE POOR 

While we are running around giving mishloahmanot to our neighbors and relatives, it is imperative not to forget those who are in need. So if you are approached by a poor person on Purim, give as much as you can, with a warm smile and an outstretched hand. Involve your children in this special mitzvah of giving money to the poor on Purim day. 

HIDDEN BEHIND THE MASK 

We dress up on Purim to symbolize the fact that Hashem, in His infinite kindness, orchestrated the salvation of the Jewish people under the guise of nature, as events that appeared coincidental were, in fact, specifically arranged and caused by our Father in Heaven.  

Children love to wear costumes. You can go to any party store or Purim store to choose from an adorable and colorful selection of policeman, firefighter, clown, or bumblebee gear. To really bring the Purim story to life, dress your children up as people mentioned in the Megillah, from Queen Esther to Mordechai. Adults can wear colorful hats, scarves or a fun necklace to get in the spirit. 

SEUDAT PURIM

It is advisable to prepare the menu and begin cooking for the Purim seudah (feast) in advance, so you can enjoy Purim day and take advantage of all the special opportunities it has to offer. 

The Purim feast is unlike any other in the Jewish year. In addition to delicious food and wine, the meal is characterized by its fun and happy atmosphere – horns tooting, silly antics, and grown men singing and dancing together for hours on end.

The seudah is one of the most central aspects of Purim day, during which we celebrate the deliverance of the Jewish nation from the hands of the evil Haman. So this year, spend some time planning this pivotal event with a concoction of key ingredients that will make it an experience to remember.

DINING ROOM DÉCOR

Transform your dining room from the everyday table surrounded by chairs into a themed wonderland that will enhance the Purim festivities. You can dress the table in complementary colors. Blue and gold work when aiming for a majestic feel, while black and white are perfect for a fresh, modern look.

The usual floral centerpieces are a beautiful and comfortable focal point. For a refreshing and Purim-like change, opt for candy filled glass vases (jelly beans or taffies work well!). Be sure to set the table well in advance, so you are free to enjoy Purim day, and fulfill your mishloah manot and Megillah obligations.

If you really want to get into the spirit and tap into your creative facilities, you can match your children’s costumes to the seudah theme. If you turn your dining room into a royal palace, your children might be thrilled to dress up as Queen Esther or Mordechai.

WELCOME ALL!

An open-door policy is the norm on Purim. Dancing yeshiva boys, friends bearing mishloah manot, and grandparents coming to see how adorable the kids look are likely to be behind that ringing doorbell over the course of the day. With each guest who walks through your front door, the natural Syrian-mom inclination to offer a seat and food to eat may grow ever stronger. Since you don’t know when or how many people will stop in, it is a good idea to have a few extra chairs and a spare assortment of kibbeh handy for the throngs of celebrants that might be flocking to your home.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

One or two bottles of wine are a necessary part of the Purim feast. Decide between sweet, dry, or bubbly, based on what will best complement your meal. Just a note of caution: wine will be on the table as it is appropriate to drink on Purim (within limits), but be careful to drink responsibly and keep all liquor away from youngsters. And, of course, never, never let any of your guests drive home if he or she has drunk alcohol. Even – or especially – on Purim, safety must be our highest priority to ensure that the day is exactly what it is supposed to be – happy, joyous, and festive.

POWER OF A PURIM PRAYER 

Purim is one of the holiest days of the year, and thus the opportunity for prayer on Purim is incredibly powerful. Purim gets extremely hectic, so it takes concentrated effort to make some private time for an audience with Hashem. Set aside as much time as you can for sincere, heartfelt prayer. Also, Ta’anit Ester is a powerful day for prayer. There is so much to beseech Hashem for. Pray for health, peace, safety, and the coming of Mashiah in a peaceful and joyous way.  

May the Jewish nation be worthy of beholding miracles in our times, just as we witnessed during the times of Mordechai and Ester, amen. 

After visiting her doctor, Nancy phoned her rabbi with her lab results still clutched in her hand. “Rabbi, the doctor says I have high blood sugar, a high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, and that I need to completely change how I eat and start walking more. But my husband keeps telling me, ‘Don’t worry so much! Hakol b’yedei Shamayim – everything is in Hashem’s hands.’ Rabbi, is my husband right? Should I just have faith and not worry about all these changes?”

In Your Hands

The Gemara (Ketubot 30a) teaches: “Everything is in the hands of Heaven except tzinnim u’fachim – cold and heat.” Rashi clarifies: illnesses caused by negligence are not decreed from Heaven but stem from human carelessness. The Ritva expands this to all preventable harms – be it reckless behavior or an unhealthy lifestyle. Hashem entrusted us with life. To protect it is to honor the Giver of that life.

Health Is Not Optional

Judaism does not view health as a personal lifestyle preference or a secondary concern. Judaism sees caring for one’s health as a Torah obligation, because one’s state of health directly impacts one’s ability to live and perform mitzvot and hesed. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 17b) lists the ten amenities a Torah scholar must have, including not only a beit knesset but also a physician. The Rambam codifies this into halacha (Hilchot De’ot 4). Yad Ramah adds that a person is obligated to pursue healing so that he may serve Hashem. He cites the verse, “Only guard yourself and guard your soul greatly” (Devarim 4:9), as a direct commandment to safeguard health.

The Rambam explains: “Maintaining a healthy and whole body is among the ways of serving Hashem… for one cannot understand or know anything of the Creator when sick or in pain” (Hilchot De’ot 4:1).

The Sefer Hachinuch codifies this as a mitzvah: Since keeping the body in a healthy, strong condition is a part of the service of Hashem… a person must distance himself from anything destructive and conduct himself in ways that preserve his body (Mitzvah 546).

Health, then, is not a luxury. It is a prerequisite for mitzvah performance. It is part of avodat Hashem.

Metabolic Syndrome

Today, one of the greatest health challenges facing society is metabolic syndrome – a dangerous cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. This syndrome dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

And yet, the medical consensus is clear: these risks are largely preventable through changes in diet, physical activity, and weight management. Walking every day, reducing sugar and sodium intake, sleeping adequately – these simple habits have life-saving potential.

From a Torah perspective, this is not merely advice – it is an obligation. If Hashem has given us the means to prevent harm, and we ignore them, we have failed in our duty to guard the soul He has placed within us.

Even for those who are busy and don’t have time for major changes, small, consistent improvements – like walking whenever possible or skipping junk food – can make a significant difference.

The Ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef

Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, addresses Nancy’s question in Yabia Omer (Vol. 4, Choshen Mishpat §6): “If a sick person sits idly and does not engage in medical care, he will ultimately die from that illness – even if, at the time he became ill, no such decree of death had been issued upon him. These matters are obvious, and none will deny them except one who lacks understanding.” He teaches that refraining from medical treatment is not an act of faith – it is an act of recklessness. According to halacha, seeking appropriate medical care is not merely permitted, it is an obligation. One who ignores natural means of healing, expecting miraculous salvation alone, may bring upon himself harm that was never decreed from Heaven.

Conclusion

From a Torah perspective, Nancy’s situation falls directly under the principle of tzinnim u’fachim – preventable dangers. Her health outcomes are consequences of choices within her control. This is not merely good advice – it is fulfilling the mitzvah of v’nishmartem me’od l’nafshoteichem, “and you shall guard your lives exceedingly” (Devarim 4:15). The Rambam codifies this as practical law: one must avoid anything that damages the body and cultivate practices that promote health (Hilchot De’ot 4:1). Hakol b’yedei Shamayim? Yes – but some things, Hashem places in our hands.

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer, and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. His latest book is ‘Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com.

Pnina Souid

The Mitzvah Man relayed a story recently that is just one example of the special siyata d’Shmaya he and his hundreds of volunteers experience on a regular basis.

The Mitzvah Man picked up the hotline one day to find a nearly hysterical woman named Annie at the other end of the line. She was crying so hard it was difficult to understand her.

He patiently helped her to calm down and reassured her that, with Hashem’s help, he would be able to help her.

A Wedding in Danger

After a few long moments Annie told her story. Her daughter’s wedding date was only two weeks away. Annie and her husband have done everything they could to save up for a modest affair, but they were hit very hard financially by the pandemic. The caterer is demanding $5,000 right away or he will cancel. He will not accept late payment. Annie was terrified that this dreamed-of wedding may be cancelled.

“First, don’t worry,” the Mitzvah Man said. “Hashem protects the hatan and kallah. The wedding will not be cancelled. How much you need to reach $5,000?”

Annie burst into tears again. “We had so many other expenses. We don’t even have anything left to pay the caterer $5,000.I think he means it when he says he will cancel the wedding.” ”

The Mitzvah told Annie not to worry. Although $5,000 was not a small sum, he would do his best. He went on to ask what else they needed.

Annie hesitated. She hated to ask for more, but they were in desperate need of a disc jockey. They were not asking for a band or even one musician. But the kalla had dreamed of a lively wedding since she was a little girl, and even a DJ was beyond their means.

The Mitzvah Man assured Annie that he and his team would do their best, so her daughter could have the lively wedding she was hoping for and deserved.

As the Mitzvah Man hung up the phone he put in a prayer, and asked Hashem to help him to get Annie to get everything she needed. He has learned from years of hesed work that one always needs Divine Providence, and the more emunah and bitachon he has, the more Hashem provides.

Side by Side Miracles

The day after Annie called, one of the Mitzvah Man’s business clients called. “I just made a fantastic real estate deal. The ma’aser from the deal is $5,000. I want to give it to help make a wedding for a needy bride.”

The Mitzvah Man was stunned. He told Jerry about Annie’s call. She needed exactly $5,000 for the caterer.

Jerry, repeated that this money must go only to help make a wedding for a needy bride.

“Jerry,” the Mitzvah Man said, “I just got the call yesterday. You will be doing a phenomenal mitzvah. You are not just giving tzedaka. You are fulfilling the mitzvah of being m’samayach hatan v’ kallah! This brings you tremendous merit. And, honestly, I am in awe of Hashem, because He responded to the tears of the kallah’s mother and pulled all the strings.”

Jerry gave the Mitzvah Man the address of his office in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn and told him to come the next day for the check.

After speaking with Jerry, the Mitzvah Man called Annie to tell her that the $5,000 was on its way. She was speechless. Then, she thanked the Mitzvah Man profusely. She was embarrassed to ask for more, but in a quiet voice she enquired about the DJ. He told her that was not yet arranged, but he had not forgotten.

The next day the Mitzvah Man went to Jerry’s office, which was located on the second floor. After collecting the check from Jerry, the Mitzvah Man noticed an entertainment center on the first floor. He didn’t pay much attention to it, and left the building. On his way to the car he heard someone calling him. “Are you Mike Cohen from Mitzvah Man?” the fellow asked. The Mitzvah Man responded affirmatively.

The man told him that he recognized him and wanted to offer his DJ services free of charge for any needy bride’s wedding.

The Mitzvah Man stopped in his tracks. What a beautiful exhibit of Divine Intervention – “two for one!” Annie was overwhelmed with gratitude, to the Mitzvah Man, the donors, and especially to Hashem.

Since President Trump’s January 2025 inauguration to a second term, the president’s policies have been met with both applause and criticism. His intention is to recalibrate American power abroad and security at home, in ways that many argue are directly relevant to Jewish safety, U.S.-Israel ties, and the fight against anti-Semitic violence and terror.

American Jews are not the only ones watching this second Trump term with a wary eye and a running tally. In Israel, the conversations regarding Trump’s actions are strikingly similar.

Tal Rabina Weighs In

“Trump is the one who brought the hostages [home] alive, and for that he has a place of honor in Israeli history,” noted Tal Rabina, who has a reputation as one of Israel’s most reliable media professionals. Rabina is the Strategic Director for the American Middle East Press Association and is the Strategic Director and head of the Israel office of EJA, the European Jewish Association.

“In Israel, of course, they cherish his [Trump’s] determined fight against pro-Palestinian incitement on campuses, but beyond that, and only after that, do they wonder who he really is, what his motivations are, and especially what he will demand from Bibi in exchange for his personal support. Why does he embrace (Turkey’s) Erdogan so much, and to what extent will his business interests in Qatar – the instigator of institutionalized incitement against Israel in the world – demand prices from Israel that will be difficult for us to pay? I assume that, as in any other place in the world, when it comes to Trump, there are many more questions than answers.”

Focus on Results

Those questions about motives and high price tags for Trump’s programs sit alongside a debate over the president’s performance. Putting aside questions about Trump’s character and his intentions some choose to focus on whether the president has made good on his promises.

“If twenty years in the business sector have taught me anything, it’s that what separates the winners and the losers is execution,” Hillel Fuld told Community. Fuld is a former New Yorker, in Israel many years. He is a strategic business consultant and is an online political advocate. “Trump’s first year brought with it an unprecedented number of accomplishments and, unlike previous presidents, Trump doesn’t just talk, he puts his money where his mouth is and executes.”

Agricultural Trade with Israel

In December 2025, Trump signed a proclamation titled “To Implement the United States-Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products and for Other Purposes,” implementing a bilateral arrangement to expand agricultural trade with Israel. The move deepens sectorspecific economic integration, giving Israeli producers preferential access to the vast U.S. market while offering American consumers and kosher food chains more Israeli products on American shelves.

For Jews and for Israel, this kind of trade policy is not just about chickpeas; it is a statement that the U.S.-Israel relationship is incorporated into everyday commercial ties.

Combatting Terror Groups

In November 2025, Trump issued an action designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The order directs U.S. authorities to treat specified Brotherhood entities as part of the global terror infrastructure, tightening sanctions, travel restrictions, and financial controls against them.

For Jews who have watched Brotherhoodlinked movements traffic in anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement against Israel, this step signals that ideological hostility crossing into operational support for violence will face real costs.

TikTok

In September 2025, the White House unveiled a policy framed as “Saving TikTok While Protecting National Security,” an attempt to keep the wildly popular platform operating in the United States while imposing new safeguards on data, ownership, and algorithmic control. The action pairs pressure on foreign owners and data flows with a message to young Americans that Washington is not seeking a blanket ban but rather seeks to promote a secure, Americancontrolled version of the app.

TikTok is known for virulent anti-Semitic content, tropes, and rhetoric. For Jewish users, particularly teens and campus activists who rely on TikTok for advocacy around anti-Semitism and Israel, the new policy raises a dual set of stakes. On the one hand, tightening foreign influence over the platform could reduce hostile information operations and disinformation campaigns that have fueled harassment and conspiracy theories about Jews. On the other hand, any restructuring of content moderation and recommendation systems will shape how Jewish stories, from October 7 to synagogue life, are surfaced or buried in the digital square.

Focus on Threats on U.S. Soil and UN Organizations

By June 2025, Trump followed his January immigration security moves with a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” issued June 3, 2025. Building on an earlier executive order, this action narrows visa eligibility and travel for categories of foreign nationals deemed highrisk, instructing agencies to reassess visa programs, screening, and derogatory information sharing.

Jewish organizations have long walked a fine line on such policies: keenly aware that many jihadist plotters and extremist preachers arrive via legal travel channels, but also mindful of the Jewish experience as refugees and migrants. For some, these orders represent overdue rigor in keeping out those who preach anti-Semitic hatred or glorify attacks on Jews. For others, they require tight oversight to ensure that lifesaving asylum and family reunification are not collateral damage.​

In February 2025, Trump signed an action titled, “Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations.” The measure directs the administration to pull out of and defund the UNHRC (UN Human Rights Council), UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and UNWRA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East). These organizations have been recognized as structurally biased against the United States and its allies, including Israel. After decades of onesided resolutions against Israel at the UN Human Rights Council and other bodies, this measure is longawaited.

White House Faith Office

In February 2025, the president announced appointments to a renewed White House Faith Office, designed to systematize engagement with religious communities, including Jewish organizations. The appointments signal an intent to consult faith leaders on issues from anti-Semitism policy to school safety and international religious freedom, embedding religious perspectives inside the policymaking process.

Jewish groups often struggle to have their concerns about hate crimes, campus harassment, or threats to synagogues translated into federal action. So, for many the renewed Faith Office was welcome, and those in favor believe that the new office can be a crucial conduit. It also sends a broader cultural signal that Judaism is recognized within the American tapestry not only as an ethnic or national identity, but as a religious voice that deserves a seat at the table when Washington debates morality, security, and freedom.​

Houthis Labeled as Terrorists

On January 22, 2025, Trump issued Executive Order 14175, “Designation of Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” initiating a process that led the State Department to redesignate the Houthis as an FTO and sanction key leaders. The order cites Houthi attacks that threaten American personnel and international shipping, as well as the group’s ties to Iran and their targeting of civilians.

Houthi missiles and drones have been fired toward Israel, and the group explicitly calls for death to Jews. By restoring terror designations Trump framed the move as aligning U.S. law with the reality of a group whose ideology and actions directly menace Israel and Jewish lives.

Restricting Entry to the US

Two related documents in January 2025 – an executive order “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” dated January 20, 2025, and the subsequent June 3rd entryrestriction proclamation define an overarching security doctrine at the border. The January order instructs agencies to reassess grounds of inadmissibility, toughen refugee and visa vetting, reviews deficient countries, and led to travel bans on nationals from a number of specific countries including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen.

For many Jews, whose synagogues and community centers have increasingly become targets, the focus on keeping out foreign extremists is welcome.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4^th, 2025, contains an enormous defense and national security package, including roughly $150 billion in new defense spending including billions for shipbuilding, munitions, a proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, nuclear deterrence, IndoPacific operations, and military innovation in drones and artificial intelligence. For the Jewish community many were concerned by the bill’s massive cuts to Medicare ($1 trillion), projected to remove health coverage from 78 million Americans, and make millions more uninsured. But the bill also includes defense expenditures that can prove important for us including missile defense research, the deterrence of Iran and its proxies, and keeping vital sea lanes open whose closure might otherwise threaten Israeli security.

At the border, the law injects roughly $170 billion into security: wall construction, detention capacity, technology, and a dramatic expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aimed at deporting up to one million people each year and making ICE the single most heavily funded law enforcement agency. For voters who prioritize strong borders as a defense against terrorists and transnational terrorist networks, these are welcome commitments.​ Others find the measures draconian.

Israel-Iran War

The brief Iran-Israel war of June 2025 began when Israel launched a large, coordinated air operation against key Iranian nuclear and missile facilities that posed an imminent existential threat. Iran responded with more than 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,000 attack drones directed at Israeli cities, energy infrastructure, and military bases. Tehran’s strikes also threatened U.S. assets and wider regional stability, raising fears in Washington, Gulf capitals, and European governments of a wider regional war.

The United States intervened directly, using stealth bombers and cruise missiles to hit deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and around Isfahan. U.S. forces also helped intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones, effectively backstopping Israel’s defenses and signaling that Washington would not allow Iran to reset the strategic balance in its favor through missile terror or nuclear brinkmanship. The combined IsraeliU.S. strikes badly damaged parts of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure and triggered retaliatory fire on a U.S. base in Qatar before a U.S.brokered ceasefire halted the war after twelve days.

Defense and Security

For Jews, one of the most striking elements is the embrace of advanced missile defense concepts like a Golden Dome, echoing Israel’s Iron Dome and signaling that lessons from Israel’s layered defense are feeding back into U.S. doctrine. The strategy’s emphasis on deterring Iran, hardening alliances, and rejecting “fruitless ‘nationbuilding’ wars” reflects a worldview in which American power is meant to be sharp, targeted, and overwhelming – an approach that many proIsrael advocates see as essential to containing regimes and militias openly dedicated to Israel’s destruction.

Taken together, these actions and doctrines describe a presidency that has invested heavily in a particular version of security: tougher borders, louder deterrence, deeper skepticism of hostile international bodies, and more explicit alignment with Israel’s security concerns. For American Jews, the stakes are immediate – from terror designations that constrain groups firing missiles at Israel, to UN funding cuts that challenge institutions long accused of antiIsrael bias, to trade deals and faithoffice appointments that pull Jewish life and Israeli partnership closer into the American mainstream.

Harley Lippman

Long Island-raised Harley Lippman is the founder and CEO of Genesis 10, a consulting firm. He serves on the boards of many businesses, educational, and cultural organizations and is an Executive Committee Member of AIPAC. Lippman believes that President Trump has brought a blanket of security and assistance to Israel.

“I would give President Trump very high marks in the first-year presidency,” Lippman said, citing tangible real results, including the hostage deal and brokering a ceasefire with Hamas, and secondly, Iran. “Not only did the United States give Israel the green light to attack Iran,” Lippman said, “but more importantly, America jumped in with Israel, to bomb the nuclear reactors. That’s extremely important.” Lippman also noted Iranians were able to stage a new revolution of late partly because they were emboldened by the U.S. and Israel’s actions.

Look to the Future

“What to watch out for?” Lippman asked. “Trump has to stay in the game. He has to make sure he continues to execute and to guarantee that his initiatives are ultimately successful. He needs to stay focused and disciplined… But Trump is feared. Trump is respected,” Lippman said.

Since his swearingin last January, Trump’s secondterm record reflects an effort to craft policies that include defending Israel’s security, confronting anti-Semitism, confronting terror, and building a military and border posture intended to keep Jews – and Americans – safer at home and abroad. Whatever one’s politics, the Jewish community will need to study, understand, and be aware of how these policies affect them, because the president’s policies will influence Jewish security, sovereignty, and moral debates in the years to come.

By Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking and Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi

Throughout history, wine has been regarded as a distinguished drink that can both elevate the spirit and expose one’s innermost thoughts and feelings. This potency makes it a double-edged sword: it can be used to bless life, as we say L’hayim, or, if handled improperly, to destroy it. Seeing this power, our Hachamim instituted safeguards regarding its consumption, to protect the holiness of the Jewish people and prevent intermarriage. Additionally, wine from a non-Jew may have been used for idol worship (avodah zara). Such wine, like the avodah zara itself, must be destroyed; it is forbidden to derive any benefit from it or its value.¹

Wine used for idol worship is referred to as yayin nesech (wine that was poured), while wine produced or touched by a non-Jew is usually referred to as stam yeinam (their regular wine).

I received a non-kosher bottle of wine as a gift; can I sell it or re-gift it?

As mentioned, it is forbidden to derive any benefit from non-kosher wine. Therefore, one may not purchase non-kosher wine to gift to a non-Jew, such as a co-worker. By the same token, if one receives such wine, it may not be sold or even re-gifted, as there is always some benefit or goodwill that will be gained by the giver. The bottle should be destroyed in a way that prevents anyone from benefiting, such as pouring the wine down a bathroom drain.

Do the laws of stam yeinam apply only to wine?

These laws apply to both wine and grape juice equally. Therefore, if one has a non-mevushal grape juice, it may not be handled by a non-Jew. This makes grape juice concentrate a significant kashrut concern. It is frequently used as a sweetener or flavor enhancer in products like fruit punches, fruit snacks, and “Refreshers” (such as those at Starbucks).

Fortified wines, such as sherry and port, share the same status as regular wine. If they are not mevushal and are handled by a non-Jew, they become forbidden.

What about brandy or vinegar?

Wine derivatives, such as brandy, cognac, and wine vinegars, are still forbidden if they were produced from non-kosher wine. Although they are no longer considered wine, the change in status does not remove the original prohibition. Nevertheless, kosher brandy or vinegar that was produced from kosher wine, may be handled by a non-Jew, since it is no longer classified as wine. Similarly, if kosher non-mevushal wine is used to prepare a marinade or sangria, the final product may be handled by a non-Jew, as the addition of numerous other ingredients significantly alters the wine’s original taste. However, if non-kosher wine or vinegar is added to a recipe, it will render the entire dish forbidden.

Why is “mevushal” wine different?

Because cooked wine is of lower quality and historically less common, the Hachamim did not extend the prohibition to wine that was cooked prior to being handled by a non-Jew. However, cooking the wine after it has been produced or handled by a non-Jew will not reverse its forbidden status.

Modern “mevushal” wine is typically flash pasteurized in a closed system rather than boiled, a process that minimally affects its quality. While the common custom in America is to treat such wine as mevushal, some are more stringent and do not apply this status to wine that has only been pasteurized.

What’s the story with Scotch aged in sherry, port, and madeira casks?

The distinct look and taste of premium Scotch often come from wine barrels. Whether the whiskey is aged the whole time in a “first-fill” sherry cask or just given a quick “wine finish,” the goal is the same: to give the drink a deep ruby color and rich notes of dried fruit. These flavors come from barrels that previously held fortified wines like sherry (from Spain), port, or madeira (from Portugal). “Fortified” means these wines have been strengthened with extra alcohol, making them more potent than standard table wine. While this process creates a popular and exquisite drink, it also creates a complex halachic reality where the wine’s presence is no longer just a background detail, but a main highlight of the final product.

There are varying degrees of “sherry cask” aging, ranging from barrels containing actual liters of wine (as testified by industry experts), to “wet barrels” that remain very saturated, to “second-fill” barrels that impart only a subtle flavor.

Much has been written regarding the questionable permissibility of sherry casks in Scotch production. Some authorities argue that the sherry does not render the Scotch forbidden based on two main points:

1. The Shulhan Aruch (137:6) rules that water and other beverages stored in a wine cask remain permissible, as the wood’s absorption is not consequential enough to affect the liquid.
2. Many authorities maintain that when wine is diluted at a 1:6 ratio, its taste is “ruined” to the point that it loses its identity and becomes nullified.

However, it is difficult to apply these leniencies here for a number of reasons: (a) since the wine is fortified, it imparts a stronger flavor and can potentially penetrate deeper into the wood; and (b) the casks are selected specifically to impart flavor. This becomes even more problematic for “first-fill” or “special finish” Scotches, where significant amounts of actual sherry wine, sometimes many liters, are left in the barrels to be mixed with the Scotch. It is difficult to argue that the wine is “nullified” when its presence is being celebrated and sought after. In fact, some Scotch companies go so far as to own large stakes in wineries simply to secure a steady supply of sherry casks.

Given these complexities, it is important for the kosher consumer to be more discerning when selecting a bottle. One should recognize that Scotch aged in sherry casks presents a significant halachic concern, and even within this grouping, the level of concern increases with the intensity of the wine’s influence. Often, the bottle’s labeling and the depth of the Scotch’s color can indicate the volume of sherry involved, serving as a practical guide for those looking to maintain a higher standard of kashrut. One can also check the cRc Liquor List or the Star-K Liquor List for a list of approved alcohols without any questionable additives.

What type of drinks can I order at a bar?

It is not only the drink itself, but also our environment, the ambiance and company, that help us retain our identity. Therefore, drinking alcohol in the company and place of non-Jews, such as a non-Jewish bar or party, is not allowed, even for drinks that pose no concern of containing non-kosher wine. Similar to the above-mentioned restrictions on wine, the Hachamim put these guidelines in place to prevent intermarriage.

More to come next month…

A project of “Ohr Halacha..” This is Part One of a two-part series. The full article with the footnotes can be viewed on our website: ohroftheshore.com. For question and comments, or for general halacha questions, please call/text the “Ohr Halacha Hotline” – (732- 359-3080. We can also be reached via email: halachaquestion@ohrhalacha.com.

1^ This is the ruling for Sefardim. For Ashkenazim, in a case of a loss, one may derive benefit from wine handled by a non-Jew. Drinking, however, remains forbidden according to all opinions.

What Do My Kidneys Do?

The answer is, quite a lot! The kidneys, which are part of the urinary system, are two bean-shaped organs, each about five inches long and three inches wide – about the size of a fist. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. The kidneys play an important role in keeping the body functioning properly. Some of their important jobs include making hormones that help control your blood pressure; making red blood cells; and keeping your bones strong and healthy.

Perhaps the kidneys’ most important job, though, is to filter your blood and help get rid of waste products from your body. As blood flows past cells and through tissues, it collects more than a hundred different types of waste, as well as any excess sodium, blood sugar, and water in the body. Carrying all these waste products, the blood then travels to the two kidneys, where the wastes and excess substances are made into a liquid called urine. The urine passes through two tubes called ureters, one extending from each kidney, until it reaches a kind of “storage bag,” called the bladder. From there the urine leaves the body.

The average person has one to one and a half gallons of blood circulating through his or her body. The kidneys filter that blood about forty times a day!

Filter System

The blood vessels entering your kidneys divide into smaller and smaller branches. These lead to tiny filtering units called nephrons , which are so small that you can only see them with a high-powered microscope. There are more than one million nephrons inside each kidney! Tiny as they are, these nephrons catch all the stuff your body doesn’t need, and they send it all out as waste.

Food for Thought

The kidney bean is named for its resemblance in both shape and color to a kidney.

Facts & Figures

Although the weight of the kidneys is less than 0.5 percent of the total body weight, they actually receive a lot more blood than the other organs in the body. Almost 25 percent of the blood pumped by the heart goes to the kidneys!

The Great Balancing Act

Another important function the kidneys perform is monitoring the amount of fluid in the body. If someone does not drink enough, and/or loses fluid through sweating, his blood contains less fluid than normal. When this blood passes through a certain part of the brain, special receptors detect the drop in water level, and the pituitary gland (housed in the brain) is stimulated to release a special hormone into the blood. When this hormone reaches the kidneys, it causes these wonder organs to increase the amount of water they absorb from the liquid they are filtering. Thus, more water is retained, and less water is sent out through waste.

Similarly, if someone drinks a lot of water, this extra fluid finds its way into the person’s bloodstream, and tells the brain receptors of the increased water level. This, in turn, informs the pituitary gland to release less of the special hormone. When the kidneys receive this message, they re-absorb less fluid back into the system, and more water is sent out through waste.

It’s pretty incredible that each little kidney, weighing just six ounces, is so complex and so advanced that some of its functions are beyond human comprehension. Surely, whatever we do know about the kidneys is enough to make us recognize the greatness and wisdom of the One Who created them.

What Are Kidney Stones?

If you ever heard someone complain that he was in pain because he had kidney stones, you probably wondered: What exactly are kidney stones, and how do they get inside the body?

Kidney stones are hard collections of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when too much of certain minerals, such as calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus, accumulate in the urine. These minerals are normally found in urine and do not cause problems. However, under certain conditions, these minerals can become too concentrated, and then they separate out as crystals. When these crystals in the urine attach to one another, they accumulate into a small mass, or stone. That is called a kidney stone.

Kidney stones vary in size. They can be small, like a tiny pebble, or they can be a few inches wide, or even bigger.

Most kidney stones pass out of the body on their own, without causing any harm. The smaller the kidney stone, the more likely it will pass by itself. If a stone is too large to pass on its own, several treatment options are available. Pain medicine and plenty of fluids help most people with kidney stones get better.

Staying Hydrated

Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, although several factors may increase the risk of them. The leading cause of kidney stones is a lack of water. Kidney stones are more commonly found in people who drink less than the recommended eight to ten glasses of water a day. When you aren’t well hydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated, with higher levels of certain minerals, and when mineral levels are higher, it’s more likely that a kidney stone will form.

A Busy Bean

Kidneys pump around 400 gallons of recycled blood every day!

Fact or Fiction??

Drinking milk causes kidney stones.

This is not true. Drinking milk, which contains calcium, does not cause painful kidney stones to form. As a matter of fact, some research suggests that drinking milk is associated with loweringone’s chances of having kidney stones. According to this research, it is not too much calcium that can cause trouble, but having too little of it.