The Jewish Drinking Show

Introduction With the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards having taken place this summer, The Jewish Drinking Show 's previous episode featured Maggie Kimberl , who not only led the judging, but also originated the idea for them. In this episode, Rabbi Drew Kaplan visits the owners and makers of the three best-in-show products of the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards in Israel, Michigan, & Virginia. Time Stamps 0:00 Welcome 0:15 Introduction 0:56 Ruach Distillery 's Ascent Single-Malt Whisky 7:11 Tekiah Kosher Spirits ' Añejo Tequila 26:33 Catoctin Creek 's Cask Strength Rye Whiskey 44:11 L'chaim Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction How did the world’s first kosher-certified spirits competition come to life? In the 194th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show , Maggie Kimberl, the head judge, as well as the person who created the idea, shares the story behind its creation, from the initial spark to assembling the judging process and evaluating an impressive range of kosher spirits at the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards , which took place this summer. Biography of Guest The featured guest to discuss this topic is Kentucky Colonel Maggie Kimberl , the Bourbon Women Association’s Spirits Journalist of the Year for 2024, a past President of the Bourbon Women Association , as well as the Chair of the World Whiskies Awards and the Content Editor of American Whiskey Magazine . She is a freelance spirits journalist, focusing on whiskey culture in the United States, though she considers herself to be “geographically blessed” to live in the epicenter of the Bourbon world, Louisville, Kentucky as a 9th generation Louisvillian. When she’s not covering the Bourbon beat, you can find her browsing through vintage vinyl with her kids or tending to her homegrown tomatoes. You can follow her on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook . She previously appeared as the featured guest on episode 88 of The Jewish Drinking Show on Jews in American Distilling History . Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction A relatively new distillery that has begun producing spirits in the past year that is entirely kosher-certified and making such interesting spirits that four of them - their Gin, Amaro #4, Elderflower Liqueur, & Orange Liqueur - won silver medals at this summer's inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards is Song Dog Farm Distillery. Having caught the attention of not only judges at the Kosher Spirits Awards, but also The Jewish Drinking Show 's host, he decided to invite the owners onto the 193rd episode of the show to discuss their distillery, products, and more. Biographies of Guests Megan Draheim is the co-owner and co-founder of Song Dog Farm Distillery , along with her husband David Harris. Previously she was a professor of practice at Virginia Tech 's Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability . A conservation ecologist by training, she focused on human-wildlife interactions. The name Song Dog comes from a nickname for coyotes, an incredibly adaptable and intelligent animal that Megan studied extensively. She hopes that the distillery will live up to its namesake! Prior to founding Song Dog Spirits in 2015 with his wife Megan, David Harris spent 20 years in D.C.-based non-profit management and advocacy, leading several Jewish political and Israel-related organizations. After a decade of hard work and a pivot necessitated by the pandemic, they opened Song Dog Farm Distillery to the public in 2025. Megan and David both live in Washington, DC, with their daughter and two dogs. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Although we have previously explored how Beer Became Acceptable for Havdallah in the Bablyonian Talmud in episode #26 of The Jewish Drinking Show , the 192nd episode of The Jewish Drinking Show explores the broader Talmudic context for how beer was considered regarding both Kiddush HaYom and Havdallah . Source Sheet The source sheet for this episode is available here . “Drinks and Discussion”-style Episodes This episode is the 15th "Drinks and Discussion"-style episode of The Jewish Drinking Show on various topics led by Rabbi Drew: Beer for Kiddush & Havdallah in the Talmud - Episode #192 (This episode) Drunken Shema - Episode #168 Drunken Birkat HaMazon - Episode #167 Drunkenness in the Babylonian Talmud, Part 2 - Episode #166 Drunkenness in the Babylonian Talmud, Part 1 - Episode #165 Drunkenness in the Talmud Yerushalmi - Episode #164 Drunkenness in Early Rabbinic Literature - Episode #163 Dukhening Under the Influence - Episode #161 Drinking Between Glasses of Wine at the Passover Seder - Episode #154 The Purim Katan Episode – Episode #151 Drinking During Mourning – Episode #150 Drinking In/Out of Sukkot – Episode #142 A Significant Rabbinic Discussion on Wine & Drinking: Eruvin 64-65 – Episode #47 Drinking During the Ten Days of Repentance: An Introduction – Episode #44 Drinking During the Nine Days – Episode #40 Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction What happened to the Torah’s troubling case of the wayward and rebellious son once it entered the hands of the early rabbinic sages? Having previously discussed the rebellious and wayward son as described in Deuteronomy 21:18-21 on episode #149 , this episode turns to the fascinating ways the rabbis interpreted, reshaped, and dramatically narrowed its application. how did the early rabbinic sages treat this matter? Joining the 191st episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to unpack the rabbinic treatment of the בן סורר ומורה ( ben sorer u’moreh ) is Rabbi Shmuel Hain. Biography of Guest Rabbi Shmuel Hain is a pulpit rabbi, educator, and community builder. Under his leadership since 2006, Young Israel Ohab Zedek of Riverdale/Yonkers has doubled the size of its membership, completed a major expansion project and transformed into a vibrant community synagogue. As Rosh Beit Midrash V'Torah Sheba'al Peh at SAR High School , he chairs the TSBP (Gemara) Department, mentors the Beit Midrash Fellows, and teaches advanced Judaic Studies classes. He is also on the leadership team of Machon Siach , SAR High School's research arm for educators. Rabbi Hain is also an adjunct faculty member at YCT Rabbinical School where he teaches Hilchot Aveilut . During the summer, he serves as Rav Machaneh (Camp Rabbi) of Camp Moshava-Indian Orchard . Rabbi Hain was also the recipient of a LEAP Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year at the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He has co-authored and edited several volumes of Torah and academic scholarship, including a volume in The Orthodox Forum series entitled The Next Generation of Modern Orthodoxy (Ktav: 2012). He also authored the essay " Ben Sorer Umoreh Never Was and Never Will Be”: Making Sense of Bavli Sanhedrin 71a" . Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Having previously explored the four cups of wine minimum at the Passover Seder in Rabbinic literature on episode #62 of The Jewish Drinking Show , there also exists in the Babylonian Talmud a text relating to the fifth cup of wine at the Passover Seder. This 190th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show explores this text with first-time guest, Dr. Leor Jacobi. A couple of further episodes that we reference within this episode are episode #25 (Demons and the Four Cups of Wine at the Passover Seder with Rabbi Alana Suskin) & episode #99 (Demons and the Four Cups of Wine at the Passover Seder [Redux] with Prof. Sara Ronis) . Brief Biography of the Guest Dr. Leor Jacobi is a scholar of medieval Jewish art and visual culture affiliated with the Department of Jewish Art in the Faculty of Jewish Studies at Bar-Ilan University . He pursued early studies in cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley before dedicating years to advanced Talmudic learning in Jerusalem and later returning to academia. He completed his MA and PhD at Bar-Ilan University, where his doctoral research explored the intersection of art and rabbinic literature in medieval culture. Jacobi has held prestigious fellowships, including a Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz , and has served in various academic roles, including lecturer and research fellow, while contributing to major scholarly projects and journals in Jewish studies and art history, one of which is his "The Fifth Passover Cup and Magical Pairs: Isaac Baer Levinsohn and the Babylonian Talmud", European Journal of Jewish Studies , vol. 15 (2021): 84-103 . Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Looking to make plague-themed cocktails for your Passover seder, or even pre-seder enjoyment? A new book out by David Kedson provides not only recipes for making plague-themed cocktails for your Passover seder, but also tips, tricks, and advice for making them happen, he shares some of this with us on the 189th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show . Brief Biography of the Guest David Kedson graduated from Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School , after which he bounced around the usual hodgepodge of dead-end occupations— litigation attorney, entrepreneur, CEO, computer programmer, independent stock trader, and stay-at-home parent (which was, by far, the most challenging and most rewarding), before he settled on being a writer. David has written six published mysteries and thrillers (mostly under the name "DK Kedson"), along with his cocktail recipe book, The Ten Plagues of Cocktails . In the cocktail world, David is currently vying to be a contestant (having submitted both a cocktail and a mocktail) on a new TV reality show called "Recipe Philly". Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction How does a distillery in North Carolina begun by an Army veteran have most of their products become kosher-certified and go on to win many medals at spirits competitions? That's something we're going to explore on this 188th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show , featuring Bruce Tyler, Weldon Mills Distillery's co-owner and manager, along with Ari Cohen, Weldon Mills Distillery's operations and brand ambassador. Biography of Guest Along with his business partner, Michael Hinderliter, Bruce Tyler established Weldon Mills Distillery in January of 2019. Through their hard work and perseverance, they pushed through the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly turned the company into the most awarded distillery in North Carolina. Weldon Mills Distillery is rapidly growing, and currently has over 36 product lines including Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, and Tequila. Weldon Mills has added a second location in downtown Durham, NC, and is in the process of restoring a historic mansion as a Bed and Breakfast. Bruce has moved to distillery operations full-time and reluctantly practices law on limited occasions. Prior to engaging in establishing the distillery, he is a retired 27-year U.S. Army Veteran who served as a Combat Arms Soldier, Military Police Officer, and a Judge Advocate General Officer. Bruce served a total of 27 Months in Afghanistan helping build a robust Rule of Law program and advising Commanders on all legal aspects of International Armed Conflict. He earned his undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in business administration at Campbell University . Bruce then earned his law degree at North Carolina Central University . After completing his law degree in 2005, Bruce was commissioned as a U. S. Army Judge Advocate General Officer and returned to active duty where he served in several positions until he left active duty in 2014. After leaving active duty, Bruce served as Senior Trial Defense Counsel in the NC National Guard and opened his law firm, the Center for Military Law , servicing military clients in all areas of law. Disclosure Review samples of Weldon Mills' products were provided to Jewish Drinking for review purposes. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction As we prepare to enter 2026, what are the kosher-certified vermouth products currently on the market? While I had previously published a list of kosher-certified vermouths , that was nearly four years ago, which has brought some changes in the market. Having spoken with the producers of Hajdu vermouth and Lovatelli vermouths at the past two Kosher Food and Wine Experiences, as well as the producer of Promised Land Beverage's vermouths for episode #96 , what is currently available? To help guide us through the current offerings is Mendy Mark, who previously appeared on episode #74 and episode #78 . Biography of Guest Mendy Mark is a New Jersey–based professional who has served as the manager for FillerUp Kosher Wines , one of the region’s leading kosher wine and spirits retailers, for the past 8 years. With years of experience in the beverage industry, he has developed a deep expertise in kosher wines, boutique producers, and the growing market for premium Israeli vintages. His work combines operational leadership with a passion for customer education, often guiding consumers toward thoughtful and halakhically sound selections. Mendy has played an instrumental role in helping FillerUp become a destination for both casual buyers and connoisseurs seeking quality kosher wines. He is recognized for his personable approach and commitment to building relationships within New Jersey’s Jewish and culinary communities. Beyond his professional work, he actively supports events and tastings that celebrate Jewish culture and fine beverages. His leadership reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, blending respect for halakhic standards with contemporary tastes and trends. Through his efforts, Mendy Mark continues to elevate the profile of kosher wine appreciation across the tri-state area. Time Stamps 0:00 Welcome 0:35 Introduction to guest 2:42 Introduction to topic 3:35 The end of Kedem vermouths 6:56 The expansion of options in the past 4-5 years in kosher-certified vermouths 9:35 Lovatelli vermouths 17:30 Considering vermouths for cocktails 20:30 Martini & Rossi special runs of kosher-certified vermouths 23:36 Hajdu vermouth & Dalton vermouth 27:01 Twin Suns vermouths 31:12 Yzaguirre vermouth 32:53 Further obituary for Kedem vermouths 33:27 Q&A 47:19 Wrapping-up 47:59 Thank you & L'chaim! Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Philo of Alexandria , an early first-century Jewish philosopher who blended Greek thought with Jewish tradition, offers a fascinating window into how Jews of the Second Temple period understood the moral and spiritual dimensions of everyday life. By exploring his interpretations of biblical narratives, we will gain insights into a Hellenistic-Jewish perspective on the role of drinking. Joining us for this journey on the 186th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to discuss Philo on drinking is Rabbi Dovid Campbell. Biography of Guest Rabbi Dovid Campbell is an independent researcher and writer whose work explores the history and future of Jewish philosophy, with a particular focus on the importance of a non-dogmatic and creative approach to Jewish thought. His articles have appeared in Tradition and Ḥakirah , as well as numerous Jewish content platforms, including his "Philo of Alexandria and the Soul of the Torah" at The Lehrhaus . He holds a degree in microbiology from the University of Arizona and resides in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, with his wife and children. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Having previously discussed Talmudic Parables of Wine with Looks with Dr. Elana Stein Hain on episode 133 of The Jewish Drinking Show , there are certainly Talmudic parables involving wine. However, there are also Talmudic parables that use wine and drinking for sexual references, too! Joining the 185th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show to explore these parables is Rabbi Dr. Gail Labovitz. Biography of Guest Rabbi Dr. Gail Labovitz is Professor of Rabbinic Literature and former Chair of the Department of Rabbinics for the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies . She is the author of two books of rabbinic scholarship and of numerous articles in the areas of rabbinic literature, Jewish law, and feminist studies, including "Is Rav’s Wife 'a Dish'? Food and Eating Metaphors in Rabbinic Discourse of Sexuality and Gender Relations" , which serves as the catalyst for this episode. Dr. Labovitz has also taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) and the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York . Prior to joining the faculty at AJU, Dr. Labovitz worked as the Senior Research Analyst in Judaism for the Feminist Sexual Ethics Project at Brandeis University , and as the Coordinator for the Jewish Women’s Research Group, a project of the Women’s Studies Program at JTS. Rabbi Labovitz served for ten years on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly , and authored two responsa, as well as participating in a number of other rabbinic and academic committees and activities. Most recently, she has become a member of the first cohort of the new Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Sources Textual sources for this episode are available here . Beer Recommendation For the third episode, we welcome Noah Schmutter from New Jersey on for a beer recommendation, having previously appeared on episode 133 and episode 136 . Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Following the mention of kiddusha rabbah (קידושא רבה) in the Talmud, how did the Rishonim , the medieval normative legal authorities, discuss it? That is exactly the topic of the 184th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show , featuring sixth time guest, Rabbi David Fried. Biography of Guest Rabbi Fried teaches Judaic Studies at the Upper School of The Ramaz School . He is also an editor and frequent contributor at The Lehrhaus . He lives in New Jersey with his wife Molly and their three sons, Elchanan, Saadia, and Aharon. He earned his rabbinic ordination from YCT Rabbinical School . Amongst his five other appearances on The Jewish Drinking Show , one of them was also on the Rishonim, Rishonim on Purim-Drunkenness . Textual Sources Textual sources for this episode are available here . Time Stamps 0:00 Welcome 0:36 Introduction to Rabbi David Fried 1:06 Introduction to the Topic 2:00 The Talmudic Drinking Story 8:10 How the Rishonim Consider the Parameters of Kiddusha Rabbah 22:32 How the Rishonim Dealt With the Potential of Non-Wine for Kiddusha Rabbah 35:46 Wrapping-up 36:41 L'chaim Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Grapes in Israel for the use of wine are nothing new. While it had been known that they were certainly ancient, especially as we read of the delegation of scouts in the 13th chapter in the book of Numbers finding massive bunches of grapes, recent work by Professor Elyashiv "Shivi" Drori has uncovered dozens of previously undocumented indigenous varieties of wine grapes in Israel, about which he shares on the 183rd episode of The Jewish Drinking Show . Biography of Guest Prof. Drori, a professor of chemical engineering and biotechnology at Ariel University , heads the university’s Samson Family Wine Research Center , Israel’s premier academic institute dedicated to grapevine and wine research. In addition to his research credentials as an agronomist, plant geneticist and oenologist, Drori is also the chief winemaker at Gva’ot Winery , a boutique producer whose wines have earned global acclaim. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Amongst the Biblical prophets, the eschatological era is envisioned as a future time when God will bring ultimate justice, peace, and restoration to the world. The prophets describe it as an age when nations will no longer wage war, the oppressed will be lifted up, and harmony will prevail across creation. And they also describe it as a time when there will be a lot of wine, as we explore on the 182nd episode of The Jewish Drinking Show , featuring Professor John Anthony Dunne. Biography of Guest Professor John Anthony Dunne completed a PhD in New Testament at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he studied under Professor N. T. Wright. Presently, he serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is the author of a handful of journal articles dedicated to wine in the Bible, with a forthcoming book addressing the full range of alcoholic beverages in biblical literature to be published next month by Zondervan Academic called Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol. In addition to serving as the co-host and editor of The Two Cities podcast , he previously appeared as the featured guest on the 170th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show discussing beverages in the Bible. He also hosts an annual craft beer reception at the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion conferences called the Society for Beer Lovers and Assorted Academic Research. If he wasn’t a Bible professor, he’d be a bartender at a craft cocktail bar. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction As Yiddish was spoken by many Ashkenazi Jews for centuries, it should serve as no surprise to listeners of The Jewish Drinking Show that many Yiddish songs either revolved around or at least involved drinking. To introduce us to Yiddish drinking songs for the 181st episode of The Jewish Drinking Show on this topic is Rokhl Kafrissen. Biography of Guest Rokhl Kafrissen is a journalist, teacher, and playwright and winner of the prestigious 2022 Adrienne Cooper Dreaming in Yiddish prize . Between 2017 and 2024, her “Rokhl’s Golden City” column appeared monthly in Tablet magazine, covering the length and breadth of Yiddish culture, including an essay on drinking . In 2021, her song “ Kum tsu mir” (a Yiddish translation-adaptation of Jimmy Buffett’s " Why Don’t We Get Drunk …" ) was recorded by an all-star klezmer trio and in 2024, the Israeli funk-jazz band Malox released an album featuring another of her Yiddish song translations, " Makhn a vayivrekh (Breakthrough)." She taught two new classes on Ashkenazi women's folk magic and religion for the Yiddish Book Center during the fall of 2023 and 2024, and her classes and lectures on "Everyday Ashkenazi Magic" are a favorite with students around the world. You can find out more at her Explore Ashkenazi Culture website . List of Songs Here is a list of the songs featured on this episode: Lomir alemen bagrisn Lomir ale in eynem Eyn mol Ven ikh nem a bisl yash Shoyn avek der nekhtn/s’iz nishto keyn nekht/ yesterday is buried /nye zhuritsi khloptsi [known by various titles; published in 1917] Di Mashke (written by Mikhl Gordon, 1868) Tayere Malke [Dear Malke] written by Mark Varshavsky (1840-1907), performed by SoCalled Lekhayim, Lekhayim Kol Zayn Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction While The Jewish Drinking Show has often explored wine and wine-drinking in practice, the 180th episode of the show explores wine poetry in Medieval Spain, featuring first time guest of the show, Professor Ronnie Perelis. Biography of Guest Professor Perelis is the Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham and Jelena (Rachel) Alcalay Associate Professor of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University and the Director of the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs. Perelis has taught the history of the Jews of Spain and their diasporas in academic and popular settings throughout the world. His research investigates connections between Iberian and Jewish culture during the medieval and early modern periods. His essays on Sephardic history analyze the dynamics of religious transformation within the context of the crypto-Jewish experience. His book, Narratives from the Sephardic Atlantic: Blood and Faith (Indiana University Press) explores family and identity in the Sephardic Atlantic world. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Having previously published episodes of The Jewish Drinking Show on Alcoholism in the Jewish Community , Jewish Addiction Awareness , and Jewish Recovery , the newest episode features stories and insights from an individual, Matthew Check , who went through his own journey from alcoholism to sobriety. Biography of Guest Currently based in Cincinnati, Check has built a career that defies easy categories. A singer-songwriter and banjo player, he has released multiple albums of Jewish music, seen two of his letters published in The New Yorker (a source of endless pride for his grandparents), and even played banjo on the Emmy-nominated theme song for FX’s Justified . His forthcoming book, What Would Philip Roth Do? , is an edgy, self-aware memoir about a Jewish bluegrass musician’s move to New York City and his fumbling, funny, and heartfelt search for love. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction A recurring topic on The Jewish Drinking Show is that of gentile wine. Having initially discussed it on episode #71 of the show on early rabbis on gentile [libation] wine , episode #135 of the show on how the rabbis of the Talmud perceived gentiles as compulsive libaters , and episode #83 of the show on Medieval rabbis on gentile wine , we also discussed it on episode #84 on Rabbi Moshe Isserles' infamous responsum on the Jews drinking gentile wine . For the 178th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show , we read of a duo of responsa on the matter by Rabbi Yair Ḥayim Bacharach , who composed the Ḥavvot Yair, as we are joined by first-time guest, Rabbi Aryeh Klapper. Biography of Guest Rabbi Klapper is Dean of the Center for Modern Torah Leadership and Rosh Beit Midrash of the Summer Beit Midrash , entering its 29th year of developing male and female Torah leaders. He cofounded the Boston Agunah Task Force , served on the Boston Beit Din for decades, and is an internationally consulted halakhic authority. Rabbi Klapper is host of Taking Responsibility for Torah and author of Divine Will and Human Experience: Explorations of the Halakhic System and Its Values . To sign-up for his weekly Torah essays, you may do so here . Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction A fascinating matter in the world of kashrut, especially regarding the kashrut of beverages, is the inclusion of using isinglass for the refining of beverages, whether mead, beer, wine, or even other beverages. This was not always the case, as Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau wrote a responsum permitting its use [for the use in clarifying mead] (נודע ביהודה מהדורא קמא, יורה דעה כ"ו). This 177th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show features Rabbi Elli Fischer in going through this particular responsum permitting isinglass for the use in clarifying alcoholic beverages. Bio Rabbi Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the JLIC rabbi and campus educator at Maryland Hillel . He holds BA and MS degrees from Yeshiva University , rabbinical ordination from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, and is working toward a doctorate in Jewish History. He is a founding editor of The Lehrhaus , a web magazine of contemporary Jewish thought. His original writing has appeared in numerous Jewish publications. Among the issues he writes about are the history of halakhah; religion and politics in Israel; the interplay between legal and nonlegal elements of the Talmud; and Central European Jewish History. He edited ten volumes of Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s Peninei Halakha series in English and is a cofounder of HaMapah , a project that applies quantitative analysis to rabbinic literature. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!

Introduction Having previously featured Shmaltz Brewing Company founder, Jesse Cowan, to discuss the first quarter-century of the company on episode 117 of The Jewish Drinking Show , on that episode, Cowan introduced Jesse Epstein as the new owner of the company . Returning to The Jewish Drinking Show , Epstein is now an ordained rabbi and lays out his plans for the next stage of the company. Brief Biography of Guest The owner of Shmaltz Brewing, Rabbi Jesse Epstein is a beer-brewing, text-loving, risk-taking Jewish innovator. With support from fellowships like the URJ's Community Cultivators Cohort (in partnership with Beloved) and Atra: The Center for Rabbinic Innovation , he’s turned pints into platforms for everything from Torah study to social justice pop-ups. This summer, he’s headed to Seattle to begin his new role as the Assistant Rabbi at Temple Beth Am . Whether he’s leading a Havdalah at the local bar or spending time dreaming up a different beer for each Torah portion, Jesse is all about making Judaism accessible, meaningful, and just a little bit hoppy. Support the show Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, suggestions, or more, feel free to reach out at Drew@JewishDrinking.com l'chaim!