What is "Mevushal Wine"

Question

What is Mevushal wine?

Answer

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

It is forbidden to drink wine or grape juice that was made (and often even if only handled) by a non-Jew. (1) This is a concept known as “ yayin nesech ,” which is the concern that the non-Jew might have used the wine for idolatrous worship.(2) Another reason for the ban on yayin nesech is in order to better limit our social interactions with non-Jews as well as the chance for intermarriage.

However, if the wine is cooked, a concept known as “mevushal” there will be no restrictions on a non-Jews’ handling of the wine. (3) The reason for the difference between mevushal (cooked) and non-mevushal (not cooked) wine is because cooked wine was disqualified from idolatrous use in ancient times therefore doing away with any concerns of its association with idolatry.(4) So too, in ancient times, cooked wine was very uncommon, and therefore the sages did not extend their ban on such wine. (5)  

In order to qualify as “cooked” from the perspective of halacha the wine must be brought to a boil and remain boiling until there has been some evaporation.

Source


1 YD 125:1.

2 Rambam, Hilchot Ma’achalot Assurot 7:2, 11:9.

3 Avoda Zara 29b, 30a.

4 Rambam, Hilchot Ma’achalot Assurot 11:9.

5 Rosh, Avoda Zara 2:13; Levush , YD 123:3.




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