Can Jews drink alcohol?

Wine in Jewish life

Wine marks holiness and joy: Shabbat and festivals begin with kiddush over a cup of wine and end with havdalah; four cups are drunk at the Passover seder; blessings over wine are part of a wedding and a brit. The Talmud says “there is no joy without wine” on festivals.

Moderation

The Bible also warns. Noah planted a vineyard and was disgraced (Genesis 9:21); Proverbs warns that “wine is a mocker”. Jewish law forbids prayer while drunk. Purim is the one day when drinking more than usual is customary, and even then many authorities say to drink only a little more than usual and sleep, and never to endanger health or neglect commandments.

What needs to be kosher

Because wine was used in idol worship, the sages restricted wine handled by non-Jews; kosher wine is produced by observant Jews from crushing to bottling, or pasteurised (mevushal) so it remains kosher when served by anyone. Grape-based brandies and liqueurs, and spirits aged in wine casks, also need supervision. Plain beer, vodka and most whiskies are generally considered acceptable, though many prefer certified products.

Blessings over drinks

Wine and grape juice have their own blessing, borei pri hagafen, and their own after-blessing (al hagefen). Beer, whisky, vodka and other drinks take shehakol before and borei nefashot after. A drink taken during a bread meal is covered by the blessing over the bread, except wine, which always has its own blessing.