Wine (יין) Appearances in the Torah
The term for wine (יין) appears 25 times in the five books of Moses. Ten of these are in the book of Genesis, seven in the book of Numbers, five in the book of Deuteronomy, two in the book of Leviticus, and one in the book of Exodus. There are 14 parshiyot that have יין […]
The Nazir’s Vow and Remedy
Introduction & Avoidances In this week’s parashah of Nasso, we encounter the curious instance of the nazir (Num. 6:1-21). This person – man or woman (Num. 6:2) – decides to avoid hair-cutting (Num. 6:5) and contact with corpses (Num. 6:6-8). This person also vows away all drinking – whether wine or beer (Num. 6:3) – […]
Nadav & Avihu Offering a Strange Fire
When we encounter the reference to Nadav’s and Avihu in this week’s Torah portion, we see something that is quite consistent with the way that their deaths are described, which is due to them offering a strange fire: “וַיָּ֣מָת נָדָ֣ב וַאֲבִיה֣וּא לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֡ה בְּֽהַקְרִבָם֩ אֵ֨שׁ זָרָ֜ה לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר סִינַ֔י וּבָנִ֖ים לֹא־הָי֣וּ לָהֶ֑ם And Nadav […]
The Libation Episode
A recent fascination of mine here at Jewish Drinking has been libations, which first arose in my mind in December as related to Jewish drinking interests, and it’s been something that’s quite curious to me increasingly ever since. To discuss this topic for the newest podcast episode is Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier, who was not […]