Shemitah Wine and Grape Juice – Otzar Beit Din of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz

In continuation of our series on holy wine and grape juice, we would like to present its new Sheva wine series, sweet sparkling Moscato wines, and grape juice by Zion Wineries.

Zion Wineries is situated in Ma’aleh Adumim and its grapes are from vineyards in Netofa and Gush Etzion, worked during the shemitah year under the supervision of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz’s otzar beit din. This otzar beit din has the most stringent shemitah guidelines, namely early pruning before the onset of the shemitah year to avoid pruning with a shinuy during shemitah itself. Zion Wineries sells all of its holy wines and grape juice in Israel only and the price covers expenses only.

Zion Winery’s Holy Products

Dry red wine: Blend of Merlot, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon –13.5% alcohol.

Dry white wine: Blend of Chenin Blanc, and Roussanne – 12.7% alcohol.

Sweet red wine: Blend of Touriga, Grenache, Syrah, and Merlot – 11.5% alcohol

Sweet, sparkling Moscato: red and white, 5.5% alcohol. Wines are sold in boxes of 6 (750 mL) per box, all uncooked.

Red and white grape juice: 100% natural, uncooked, sold in boxes only, 9 bottles (1 L) per box.

Wine and grape juice distributors

Birkat Ha’adamah: All of the Zion winery products are now available through Birkat Ha’adamah, along with otzar beit din fruit from Otzar Ha’aretz and other products. They do home deliveries (for NIS 20) to Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Judea and Samaria, and many locations throughout Central Israel: www.braha.co.il/

Shenat Hasheva distributes Zion Winery products through organized deliveries. To organize a delivery in your location (min. order: 30 boxes), contact Yuval Tor: 050-720-7540. Shenat Hasheva also distributes holy olive oil for NIS 140 for 5L containers.

Rabbi Grodzinski taught that the “redeemed” individual does not ignore the prevalence of evil in the world but disdains it and confronts it wisely and successfully.

Price: Birkat Ha’adamah and Shenat Hasheva charge NIS 110 per box (grape juice/wine).

Mishnat Yosef and Mechirah

Bakehilah: Mishnat Yosef delivers to distribution stations throughout Israel. Wine/grape juice products are only available twice a month (and not everything at once): mishnatyosef.org

And Rabbi Ziv, the Alter, gifted us with the insight that our relationship with the Almighty can be reciprocal. Yes, He is our Savior. But we can reciprocate His salvation by bringing honor to His name by acting ethically and honestly, even in the face of temptation.

Mechirah Bakehilah distributes in haredi areas only, on alternate weeks with Mishnat Yosef: www.sales.org.il/login.aspx.

Price: Mishnat Yosef and Mechirah Bakehilah charge NIS 99 per box, plus a NIS 5 fee for the delivery station.

As we draw ever closer to the Passover holiday, Chag HaPesach, we now have learned of no less than six paths to redemption, six paths to “seeing ourselves as if we personally were redeemed from Egypt.”

I’d like to thank Yuval Tor from Shenat Hasheva for the information and photos.

Which of the six will you choose as your path? Or will you try your hand at all six?

BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR