A Conservative Movement’s approach to stam yayin (סְתָם יֵינָן,)

Since we’ve been studying the laws concerning stam yayin (סְתָם יֵינָן,), I thought that you might be interested in a Conservative Movement’s approach to stam yayin. Remember stam yayin is wine that a pagan has touched not for the purpose of idolatrous libations. The rabbis treat stam yayin just like yayin nesekh, wine use in idolatrous libations. A Jew is forbidden not only to drink it, but also not to drive any benefit from it.

This citation comes from the Rabbinical Assembly’s Summary Index by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards.

1.    Any wine produced through the use of automatic machinery in plants operated by large, well-known wine companies is permitted, since no human being touches the wind during production. However, Israeli wine should be used whenever possible, especially for ritual purposes. Also, during Pesakh, only wine which has been supervised by a competent rabbinical authority should be used, as the production of wine in America raises many questions involving leaven. (Teshuvah by Israel Silverman, 1964)

2.    Because of the use of dairy or nonkosher substances as fining agents in wine, it is preferable that only rabbinically certified wines be served in the home, at the Conservative synagogue, and community events (either within the Conservative movement or in the broader Jewish community). However, since there is basis in Jewish law for permitting the nullification of forbidden substances such as the fining agents used in wine, wine fined with nonkosher or dairy substances is not unkosher or dairy. Thus, one may drink uncertified wine in business or social situations where doing so is part of the protocol, or where one wishes to avoid insulting one’s host. Similarly, one who does not use certified wines in the home should not thereby be considered unkosher. Also, while it is preferable for the synagogue to use certified wine, it is up to the local Rabbi to weigh local factors (such as congregants refusing hold events in the synagogue if uncertified wine is forbidden), and the kashrut of the synagogue is not impugned by the use of uncertified lines. For ritual purposes, however, only certified wines (preferably Israeli ones) should be used. (Teshuvah by Elliott N. Dorff, 1985)       

 

I’m sure there are opposing teshuvot which follow a much more traditional approach. I only served and drank certified wine. I was never a connoisseur of fine wine so restricting the wine choice for me was no big deal. Now I don’t drink any alcohol because of the medication I take; consequently, the whole issue for me is moot.

 

In the past kosher wine had a bad reputation for being extra heavy and very sweet. In fact The kosher wine company Schapiro's, located on the Lower East Side in New York City, famously used the slogan "Wine you can almost cut with a knife" to describe their sweet and thick Concord grape and Malaga wines. 

 

Kosher wines’ reputation has improved. Excellent Kosher wine from all across the world is now available for purchase. I often suggest that around the Passover Seder table, the host serves a kosher wine from a different country for each one of the 4 cups in order to learn about the Jewish holiday customs from that country. This is the way to make the Seder adult friendly and interesting.