The Jewish History of Wine

Wine has been a part of Jewish life for millennia, serving as a symbol of holiness, joy and redemption. The Torah first mentions wine with Noach, who plants a vineyard after the flood (Bereshis 9:20). From that moment, wine has played a sacred role—in the Mishkan and Beis HaMikdash, on Shabbos and Yom Tov, at weddings, and, of course, at the Seder.

But on the Pesach Seder night, we do not merely drink wine—we elevate it through the Four Cups, marking our journey toward freedom.

Jewish history has been shaped by wine. The vineyards of ancient Israel were so renowned that the Torah counts wine as one of the blessings of the Land. Rashi, the great commentator, likely made his own wine in medieval France. Even in times of persecution, Jews held onto this tradition—whether in Spain, where secret Jews made wine for Pesach in hidden cellars, or in Soviet Russia, where Jews smuggled wine to keep their traditions alive. Today, Israel’s wine industry stands among the best in the world, a testament to our return and renewal.

Four Expressions of Redemption

Our Sages teach that the Four Cups correspond to four expressions of redemption in the Torah: “I shall take you out from the burdens of Egypt, I shall rescue you from their service, I shall redeem you, and I shall take you as My nation” (Shemos, 6:6-7). These expressions reflect the stages of the Exodus—from escaping oppression to becoming God’s chosen people. The Four Cups do more than mark freedom; they teach us that redemption is a process, one we continue to live. Each cup draws us closer to the full realization of our spiritual and national destiny.

Wine: A Vehicle for Holiness and Joy

Wine is present at Jewish sacred moments—at Kiddush, weddings, and a Bris Milah. Its special status is reflected in the unique blessing we recite: Borei Pri HaGafen. The Talmud teaches that wine “gladdens God and man” (Berachot 35a) and in the Beis HaMikdash, the Shira (sacred song) was accompanied by wine libations which were poured into special cavities in the altar.

On Pesach, the Four Cups are not simply drinks—they mark the distinct stages of our redemption. They invite us to pause, reflect and celebrate the movement from bondage to freedom.

Tosafos and Rambam: Two Views on the Four Cups

Halachic literature offers different perspectives on these Four Cups. Tosafos (Sukkah, 38a) views the Four Cups as cups of blessing, established to praise God throughout the Seder. Tosafos compares them to Kiddush, suggesting that one person can drink on behalf of others, as the main purpose is to praise HaShem for the Exodus.

The Maharal of Prague challenges Tosafos’ view, arguing that, unlike a regular Friday night Kiddush, the Four Cups—like Matzah and Maror—must be drunk by each individual. Maharal emphasizes that this mitzvah requires personal participation, rather than one person fulfilling it on behalf of others.Rambam, however, adds a whole other dimension to these cups: drinking them is an expression of freedom. He highlights both the significance of drinking them in the proper order during the Seder, and the quality of the wine, so as to best express our freedom.

In summary, Tosafos sees the Four Cups primarily as cups of blessing, while Rambam (Laws of Chametz & Matza; 7, 9) adds that the act of drinking them is inherently an expression of freedom. Together, these views deepen the meaning of the Four Cups, combining praise of God with the celebration of freedom.

Wine as a Symbol of Jewish Resilience

Throughout history, wine has been a symbol of Jewish renewal. In the late 19th century, Baron Edmond de Rothschild helped Jewish pioneers in Israel establish vineyards, revitalizing the land and providing economic sustainability. Though questioned at the time, Rothschild saw wine as more than an industry; it was a restoration of Jewish sovereignty.

Today, Israeli wine is world-class, fulfilling the prophecy: “Once again, vineyards will be planted on the hills of Samaria” (Yirmiyahu 31:5). What a modern miracle that we can celebrate the Seder with Israeli wine here in the USA! Wine links generations and geography—from Noach’s vineyard to Rashi’s cellar, from Rothschild’s dream to our Seder table. When we sip from our Four Cups, we are not only remembering the past but participating in a story still unfolding.

Sacrifice for Mitzvot:
The Story of Natan Sharansky

Pesach is the Festival of Freedom, yet Jews have often celebrated it under oppression. A powerful example is Natan Sharansky’s makeshift Seder in a Soviet prison.

In the 1970s, Sharansky was imprisoned for seeking to make aliyah to Israel. In solitary confinement, he had no Seder plate, matzah or Haggadah—only his determination. He saved raisins, let them ferment into wine, and whispered words of the Haggadah from memory. Even in the depths of prison, he lived the message of Pesach: No external force can break the Jewish spirit.

This is the essence of the Four Cups. They are not merely drinks but declarations of our past, present and future redemption. When we lift our cups at the Seder, we affirm our journey—from slavery to freedom, from exile to redemption, from darkness to light.

A Personal Invitation

Pesach invites each of us to take the journey of the Four Cups personally. What are the burdens we need to be released from? What habits or fears do we hope to be rescued from? What parts of our soul are waiting to be redeemed? And how can we more fully embrace our identity as part of the Jewish people?

Freedom is not a one-time event—it’s a lifelong pursuit. The Four Cups are a roadmap, helping us celebrate how far we’ve come and inspiring us to keep going. So this year, as we pour each cup, let’s do so with intention. Let the wine gladden our hearts. Let the words uplift our spirits as we celebrate freedom and revel in gratitude to Hashem.

Four cups. One journey. L’chaim!

Rabbi Ken Brodkin is the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Israel in Manalapan, New Jersey.