The most popular misconception about kosher wines is that they are blessed by rabbis. Quite to the contrary, wines are made kosher so that blessings can be made on and over them by just about anyone. There is absolutely no “hocus-pocus” involved in producing kosher wines. The word ”kosher” means “proper” or “correct”. There is a vast spectrum of kosher laws (or “Kashrut”) running the gamut from the prohibition of mixing dairy and meat, to the list of prohibited and permitted animals and fish.

The roots of Kashrut are from the Torah (the Bible) where God sets down his regulations for what Jews may or may not eat. God’s reason for the kosher laws can be incomprehensible to the average person (many commandments fall under the rubric of “Chok” i.e. divinely given laws beyond human understanding). The Torah further delves into the laws of workshop and sacrifice for the ancient Temple on Jerusalem. Most sacrifices (or offerings) whether of animals, grain or others foods, were bought with a “wine libation”  so wine is an integral component of the sacrificial service.