Menachot 87 (87a–87b)
Wine for the Altar
Menachot 87 shifts to wine used for libations (nesachim).
- Where Wine May Be Taken From
The Mishnah rules:
- Not from the top of the barrel (scum/mold)
- Not from the bottom (sediment)
- Only from the middle
A Temple official monitored the flow to ensure purity.
- Disqualified Wines
Invalid wines include:
- Moldy wine
- Sweet wine
- Smoked wine
- Cooked wine
Some wines are invalid ab initio, while others are invalid even after the fact, depending on whether the flaw is intrinsic or incidental.
- Old Wine
A dispute:
- Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: old wine may not be brought
- Sages: permit it
Rabbi’s concern:
- Wine must retain redness and vitality
- Based on verses likening wine to youthful lambs
- Vineyard Standards
Vines must be:
- Carefully cultivated
- Dug around twice yearly
Quality wine reflects human effort combined with natural excellence.
Theme: Just as oil varies by extraction, wine varies by care, aging, and handling.