Grape Juice, etc..

Asked by Joseph Mosseri · April 9, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

I've studied the halakhot of Yayin Nesekh and Setam Yenam in the Gemara, Rambam, Tour, Bet Yosef, and numerous commentators and I can not seem to find any source for the current practice in the kashrut arena to forbid any grape derived products. Be they juice, flavoring, coloring, jelly, jam, grape seed extract, etc.. What gives? What is this based upon? Is it a houmrah created by a kashrut organization that has carried forward to all other agencies and become the norm? Also if Juice is not included in the prohibition can one still use it for Qidoush and/or arba' kosot? Thank you, Joseph Mosseri

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Grape juice is included (Yayin Megito), but it is cooked before anyone can touch it, so it isn't a problem. You can use it for Kiddush & Arba Kossot (The Four Cups). Sometimes it feels like the true laws are Batel Berov in all the newer laws.... AA