How to “fix” the Kiddush wine prior to distribution to the listeners-Part 1

How to “fix” the Kiddush wine prior to distribution to the listeners-Part 1:[1]

A. Introduction-Understanding the issues:

While there is no obligation for the listeners to drink from the Kiddush wine in order to fulfill their obligation of Kiddush[2], nonetheless, it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar for them to drink from the Kiddush wine.[3] Now, just as we rule regarding the person making Kiddush that he is initially not allowed to make Kiddush over blemished wine[4], so too we rule regarding the people drinking the distributed Kiddush wine, that although it is not even obligatory for them to drink it, nonetheless it is a Mitzvah Min Hamuvchar also for them to initially drink from unblemished wine that comes from the Kos Shel Bracha.[5] This law applies both to wine and to any other valid beverage that is used for [the day[6]] Kiddush [i.e. tea, beer, etc].[7] Now, the definition of blemished wine is any wine that one has already drank from, while wine that no one has ever drank from is consider unblemished.[8] So, when the person making Kiddush pours the wine from the bottle into his cup, he is pouring unblemished wine that is initially valid for use for Kiddush [unless someone drank directly from the bottle, in which case all the wine in the bottle would be considered blemished[9]]. Hence, while the issue of blemished wine is most Halachically relevant to the person making the Kiddush, it is less common of an issue for him being that he pours straight from the bottle which contains unblemished wine. However, once the person making Kiddush drinks from the wine in his cup, he has now made it blemished[10] and hence the question is asked as to how this now blemished wine should be “fixed” for the sake of its distribution in accordance to the initially encouraged directive that also the listeners should only drink unblemished wine.

_____________________________

[1] See Admur 182:4; 190:5; 271:25

[2] Admur 271:25; 272:12; Michaber 271:14; Tosafus Pesachim 100b; Rashbam Pesachim 107a; Rosh 10:18

[3] See Admur 190:5; 271:25; Michaber 190:5; 271:14; Rosh Pesachim 10:16

[4] Admur 182:4; 190:5; 271:18; Michaber 182:3; Pesachim 106a

[5] Admur 190:5; 271:29-30; Michaber 182:4 [1^st opinion]; 190:1 [Stam ruling]; 271:17 [Stam ruling]; Ohel Moed; Rashba Brachos 47a; Rosh Brachos 7:15; Bach 190; Taz 190:1; 182:4

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that only the Mikadesh needs to drink from unblemished wine, while the listeners may drink from even blemished wine. [2^nd opinion in Michaber 182:4; Reah, brought in Beis Yosef; See Taz 182:5 who brings a proof for this opinion from the Gemara; Taz 182:4 that the custom is to distribute the wine after the Mikadesh drinks from it, which causes them to drink blemished wine, and hence based on this testimony of the Taz it is seen that the custom was to be lenient for the listeners to drink from the blemished wine. So also writes P”M 182 M”Z 4 that so is the custom.] Practically, we do not rule like this opinion. [Admur 190:5; 271:29-30, the dissenting opinion was completely omitted from Admur; Michaber 190:1; 291:17; Darkei Moshe 182:1; Levush 182 that so is the custom like the first opinion; Kneses Hagedola 182:12; Mamar Mordechai 182:5; Kaf Hachaim 182:25; Even the Taz ibid concludes that it is best for all the listeners to have their own full unblemished cup for this reason, and so likewise concludes the P”M ibid that the Mikadesh can pour more wine into hyis cup before distribution and thus be Mitaken it. Thus, we see that even these Poskim agree that one should not follow the above custom, and should try to have the listeners drink unblemished wine]

[6] See Admur 272:11

[7] Admur 182:4; Thus, if one has drank from a bottle of beer ,it is not to be used for Havdala unless he fixes it through pouring onto it unblemished beer.

[8] Admur 182:4; Michaber 182:3; Pesachim 106a

[9] Admur 182:4

If the wine was tasted from prior to being bottled: Regarding if in the winery someone tasted the wine directly from the barrel, then it blemishes all the wine in the barrel and this wine remains blemished even when it is later placed in the bottle, unless he drank from the faucet of the barrel and the barrel is made of wood and not earthenware in which case we rule that Bedieved we do not consider the wine as blemished. [Admur 182:4] Practically, in general wineries are very careful never to drink directly from the barrel and rather pour some into a cup and taste it from there.

[10] Admur 190:5 “Each person can have a personal cup of wine placed in front of him, and it is even better for him to do so if possible, being that the wine in the cup of the person who said the blessing becomes blemished after he drinks from.”; Taz 182:4