Spirits Unlimited Lakewood: A Warning on 2015 Israeli Wines and Shmita Kedushah

In a recent article, YWN brought to light an important issue affecting the Jewish community's wine consumption. As a follow-up, it is crucial for consumers to be aware of the situation with 2015 Israeli wines and their connection to shmita kedushah.

Wines from 2015 have been spotted in various stores across North America, including major cities like New York City, Albany, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more. However, what may seem like a standard wine purchase can have significant halachic implications. According to Jewish law, any wines being sold as usual by companies that did not receive real otzar beis din (wine authority) certification before the shmita year's conclusion are assur (forbidden). This is because they were not properly handled and released according to the rules of shmita.

It is essential to understand that even if a wine has k'dushas shvi'is (a blessing or sanctification), it can still be destroyed, even if it is edible. The mitzvah (commandment) is to destroy the wine at the time of biur (the release of the fruit from its sanctified state) or afterwards, as long as it was not done initially. Furthermore, if a company claims their wine has otzar beis din certification, but it was sold regularly in stores without any indication of this certification, then the certification is essentially meaningless.

In light of these concerns, anyone purchasing 2015 Israeli wines should exercise extreme caution and consult with a competent Rav (Jewish religious leader) to ensure compliance with shmita rules. It is also crucial to note that reputable hashgachos (kosher certifications), such as OU and OK, are not found on the labels of these wines.

In particular, Adir Winery and their Kerem Ben Zimra wines have been spotted in stores without any notice or indication of shmita kedushah. These bottles often carry a small sign next to the hechsher (kosher certification) stating that they are shemita bottles. In contrast, Golan Heights Winery and their other divisions produce shemittah wine under Otsar Beis Din, which has full k'dushas and must be treated according to all shmita rules.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of otzar beis din, it is essential to understand that this authority is responsible for distributing peiros shvi'is (fruit) for the benefit of the community. If a wine was not in the hands of real Otsar Beis Din before the shmita year's conclusion, then it is considered chayev in biur and must be destroyed.

In conclusion, the situation with 2015 Israeli wines requires consumers to exercise extreme caution and seek guidance from a competent Rav. It is crucial to understand the halachic implications of purchasing these wines and to ensure compliance with shmita rules to maintain kashrut standards.

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