Exploring Jewish drinking wisdom
As a lot of people are still curious/confused regarding the recently announced policy change by the Orthodox Union (OU), I have published a video essay with some thoughts on it with two weeks to go before its implementation:
Introduction As we prepare to enter 2026, what are the kosher-certified vermouth products currently on the market? While I had previously published a list of kosher-certified vermouths, that was nearly four years ago, which has brought some changes in the market. Having spoken with the producers of Hajdu vermouth and Lovatelli vermouths at the past […]
Introduction Philo of Alexandria, an early first-century Jewish philosopher who blended Greek thought with Jewish tradition, offers a fascinating window into how Jews of the Second Temple period understood the moral and spiritual dimensions of everyday life. By exploring his interpretations of biblical narratives, we will gain insights into a Hellenistic-Jewish perspective on the role […]
Introduction Having previously discussed Talmudic Parables of Wine with Looks with Dr. Elana Stein Hain on episode 133 of The Jewish Drinking Show, there are certainly Talmudic parables involving wine. However, there are also Talmudic parables that use wine and drinking for sexual references, too! Joining the 185th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to […]
In a letter published to its food service proprietors and mashgichim, the Orthodox Union (herein referred to as OU) announced a new beer policy today that will go into effect at the beginning of 2026. Beer Policy Change As of the first of January, “all beer served in OU establishments or at certified functions or […]
Introduction Following the mention of kiddusha rabbah (קידושא רבה) in the Talmud, how did the Rishonim, the medieval normative legal authorities, discuss it? That is exactly the topic of the 184th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show, featuring sixth time guest, Rabbi David Fried. Biography of Guest Rabbi Fried teaches Judaic Studies at the Upper School […]
Introduction Grapes in Israel for the use of wine are nothing new. While it had been known that they were certainly ancient, especially as we read of the delegation of scouts in the 13th chapter in the book of Numbers finding massive bunches of grapes, recent work by Professor Elyashiv “Shivi” Drori has uncovered dozens […]
Introduction Amongst the Biblical prophets, the eschatological era is envisioned as a future time when God will bring ultimate justice, peace, and restoration to the world. The prophets describe it as an age when nations will no longer wage war, the oppressed will be lifted up, and harmony will prevail across creation. And they also […]
Introduction As Yiddish was spoken by many Ashkenazi Jews for centuries, it should serve as no surprise to listeners of The Jewish Drinking Show that many Yiddish songs either revolved around or at least involved drinking. To introduce us to Yiddish drinking songs for the 181st episode of The Jewish Drinking Show on this topic […]
Introduction While The Jewish Drinking Show has often explored wine and wine-drinking in practice, the 180th episode of the show explores wine poetry in Medieval Spain, featuring first time guest of the show, Professor Ronnie Perelis. Biography of Guest Professor Perelis is the Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham and Jelena (Rachel) Alcalay Associate Professor of […]
![Some Thoughts on the OU’s Upcoming Beer Policy Changes [Video Essay]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Some-Thoughts-on-the-OUs-Upcoming-Beer-Policy-Changes-600x338.png)
![Kosher Vermouths on the Market Going Into 2026, featuring Mendy Mark [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #187]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Kosher-Vermouths-on-the-Market-Going-Into-2026-featuring-Mendy-Mark-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-600x338.png)
![Philo on Drinking & Drunkenness, featuring Rabbi Dovid Campbell [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #186]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Philo-on-Drinking-Drunkenness-featuring-Rabbi-Dovid-Campbell-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-600x338.png)
![Drinking Imagery as Sexual Metaphor in the Talmud, featuring Rabbi Dr. Gail Labovitz [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #185]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Drinking-Imagery-as-Sexual-Metaphor-in-the-Talmud-featuring-Rabbi-Dr-Gail-Laibovitz-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-600x338.png)
![Medieval Jewish Legal Authorities (Rishonim) on Kiddusha Rabbah, featuring Rabbi David Fried [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #184]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Rishonim-on-Kiddusha-Rabbah-featuring-Rabbi-David-Fried-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-600x338.png)
![Indigenous Wine Grape Varieties to Israel, featuring Professor Shivi Drori [The Jewish Drinking Show episode #183]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Indigenous-Wine-Grape-Varieties-to-Israel-featuring-Professor-Shivi-Drori-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-episode-183-600x338.png)
![Biblical Eschatological Abundance of Wine, featuring Professor John Anthony Dunne [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode 182]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Biblical-Eschatological-Abundance-of-Wine-featuring-Professor-John-Anthony-Dunne-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-episode-182-600x338.png)
![Yiddish Drinking Songs, featuring Rokhl Kafrissen [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #181]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Yiddish-Drinking-Songs-featuring-Rokhl-Kafrissen-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-episode-179-600x338.png)
![Medieval Jewish Wine Poetry, featuring Prof. Ronnie Perelis [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #180]](https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Medieval-Jewish-Wine-Poetry-featuring-Professor-Ronnie-Perelis-The-Jewish-Drinking-Show-episode-179-600x338.png)