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Talking Talmud

Avodah Zarah 58: The Time the Non-Jew Shoved His Arm into a Wine Vat

08.15.2025 | כ״א באב תשפ״ה

An incident took place in Mehoza – a non-Jew asked a Jew if he has wine to sell. After he is told no, he shoves his hand into a barrel of wine and mixes it and asks: Isn’t this wine? — what now is the status of that wine? Note the shofar-blowing to announce the issuance of a “p’sak din” – halakhic decision. To what extent has libation been involved in this kind of case? Moreover, note the different practices and the different levels of knowledge in various places – from Mehoza and Nehardea, and more. (All the cases brought in an attempt to refute Rava) Also, some of the sages were drinking wine, and the invite someone who later was determined to be a non-Jew. Other beverages, including beer, would have a different concerns (or none, as the case may be). If one sees wine, why would they suggest it was beer (maybe it’s at night?). Also, note the difference between bishul akum, for example, and the issues here, which are from the Torah, and more concerned about idolatry than fraternizing.

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Anne and Yardaena

Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. She is a veteran educator, having taught in high school and post-high school institutions in Israel and America for several decades. Yardaena Osband is a pediatrician and teaches in her community and online. They both hail from Boston, proud alumna of Maimonides School, where they first learned Gemara. Talking Talmud is their conversation (via podcast) on the daf yomi. They say: “Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf…) Join the conversation with us!”

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