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בס"ד
HALACHA INSTITUTE Q&A
By Rabbi Yehuda Kraft
Q: On Shabbos morning, can Kiddush be fulfilled with reciting shehakol and drinking on a shot of whisky, vodka or other alcoholic drink ?
A: This question is multifaceted. Classically the Mitzvah of Kiddush is fulfilled by drinking a “Mlo lugmav” (cheek full), from a Kos (cup) which contains at least a Rviis of wine or grape juice. When making Kiddush on a shot of whisky, none of these conditions are fulfilled. In certain Chassidic communities, the custom is to make kiddush in the morning on a small glass of schnapps. The question is - can this practice be reconciled with Halacha?
Substituting wine for other beverages
The Gemara discusses the possibility of substituting wine with “Chmar Medina”. This term means “the drink of the country” as a wine substitute. Drinks in this category are presented to guests to honor them, and not drunk merely to quench thirst. Additionally, most people in the region drink it. It is not clear which beverages qualify for this status. Seemingly all agree that all liquors and alcoholic drinks are considered Chmar Medina. The Shulchan Aruch in Siman 272 says that “When there is no wine available - some say that one may use beer, as it is considered Chmar Medinah.”
The implication of the Shulchan Aruch and other Poskim is that the concept of Chmar Medina only applies when wine isn`t found easily due to scarcity, and not merely if it is too expensive. However, in our day and age wine is always readily available and affordable. Based on this, many contemporary poskim dismiss the ability to make Kiddush on whisky. However, there are those that assume this Heter applies even when there is wine readily available, especially when the whisky is Chaviv (beloved/preferred). Rabbi Simcha Cohen in his sefer “Radiance of Shabbos”, claims that this is the opinion of R` Moshe Feinstein Z’’TL.
It should be noted that this Heter would only suffice for the daytime Kiddush but for the night-time Kiddush, all agree that it may not be relied upon.(Based on the opinion of the Rosh and Rambam - see Shulchan Aruch 272 w/ Mishna Berura)
Drinking the required amount
How much is one required to drink? The Shulchan Aruch says the minimum amount is “Melo Lugmav.” This is the majority of a Rviis, and is equivalent to about 1.6 ounces. Accordingly, the Mishna Berura says that in his country schnapps can be utilized for daytime Kiddush, provided that the Kos contains a Rviis of schnapps (the equivalent of 3 plus ounces), and the Mekadesh drinks a Melo Lugmav. The M”B adds that if this is difficult then he may rely on the opinion brought in S”A, siman 271, seif 14, that the attendees of the Kiddush can all drink the Melo Lugnav collectively. Certainly, a shot of whisky will not suffice for the standard of the M”B unless we assume the glass contains 3 plus ounces and most of it is consumed. (The standard shot glass contains only one and a half ounces).
Opinion of the Taz
On the other hand, The Mahrsham (O.C. # 1 Siman 175) writes that there were great Tzadikim of Chassidic courts that would utilize schnapps for the daytime Kiddush using “small flasks” which were less than the standard Rviis and only a small amount was drunk. The Mahrsham explains the minhag based on the Taz in Siman 190 and 210. The Taz says that the amount of schnapps required to recite Borei Nefashos, is based on the normal amount one drinks at one time. Meaning to say - even though the standard amount for other drinks is a Reviis, since one is satisfied with less when drinking sharp drinks, the requirement is less. So too, we can apply the logic of the Taz for Kiddush, because the drinking of a Melo Lugmav of wine for Kiddush is based on the fact that the Rabbis required us to drink a satisfying amount. Therefore schnapps, which satisfies with less, will require less for Kiddush.
The Rebuttal
This rationale comes in conflict with a few issues.
1) Many Achronim argue on the Taz such as the Magen Avraham and the Mishna Berurah.
2) The Taz himself never stated that less than a Rviis can be used for Kiddush with Chmar Medina.
3) The logic of the Taz doesn't seem to rationalize using a Kos smaller than a Rviis.
4) According to some opinions the amount of Melo Lugmav isn't based on satisfaction rather it’s a standardized amount regardless of the actual satisfaction.
5) Some opinions hold that Chmar Medina only applies when the beverage is drunk by most of the multitude every day (Magen Avraham).
6) The Aruch Hashulchan says that in his time wine was a rarity and they barely had sufficient wine for the night, which is why they were lenient to use schnapps in the Day-time Kiddush.
7) The Piskei Teshuva suggests that the attendees of the Chassidic Rebbes Kiddush all drank the required amount collectively.
8) Rabbi Langer, Shlita, told me that the Rebbes were lenient only for the poor Chassidim, they themselves however were careful to use wine.
In conclusion one should not rely on this leniency, unless it's your minhag, and even then, only under dire circumstances. Additionally, if someone at a Shul Kiddush is lenient, others should not rely on his Kiddush and do it themselves properly.
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