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Jájin

Hebrew term (also Yáyin) for wine; see under Bible.

Wine plays a hugely important role in Christianity. The mystical connection between wine and God finds its central expression in the Eucharist (thanksgiving) when bread and wine are transformed into Christ's body and blood. This goes back to the Last Supper described in the New Testament. Jesus spoke the praise, broke the bread, handed it to them and said: " Take, this is my body. Then he took the cup, said the prayer of thanksgiving, handed it to the disciples and they all drank from it. And he said to them: This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is shed for many (Mark 14:17-25).

Bibel - Abendmahl (Gemälde von Jacopo Bassano)

Mention of wine in the Bible

Wine is referred to directly or indirectly in a total of 979 places. Vineyard occurs over 90 times, vine over 60 times and wine press 15 times. Although beer was also a widespread drink at the time, it did not have the same significance. Martin Luther (1483-1546) commented: Beer is the work of man, but wine is from God. Bible researchers found eight Hebrew words that were translated as "wine" in the various languages. Not all of them are real wine, but some are syrups, beer-like or other alcoholic drinks made from tree and field fruits:

  • Ásis = sweet or vintage wine
  • Chemer = strong red wine, mixed with water
  • Mimsák = mixed or spicy wine (spiced wine)
  • Shékár = strong drink made from barley, honey or dates
  • Shemárim = old wine
  • Sob'e = strong, intoxicating drink, mixed with water
  • Tirósh = young wine
  • Yáyin (Jájin) = general term for wine

Bibel - Biubel, Messkelch und Patena (Hostienschale)

Viticulture and wine consumption among the Israelites

The importance of viticulture for the Israelite community is illustrated by statements in the Book of Deuteronomy. This is a collection of sermon-like speeches and laws that Moses announced to the Israelites before they entered the land of Canaan. Regarding participation in an upcoming battle (20.6), he says: " Who is the man who has planted a vineyard and has not yet utilised it? Let him arise and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man utilise it. The vinedresser was therefore exempt from military service until the maiden harvest, which was a period of three to five years. For the Israelites, securing the vineyard was therefore more important than one more man in battle.

Regulations in the vineyard

There were very strict rules for behaviour regarding the consumption of grapes in the vineyard. Some examples are (23.35): When you come into your neighbour's vineyard, you may eat grapes as much as you like until you are full; but you must not put anything into your vessel. And the time after the harvest was also regulated (24.21-22): When thou gatherest in thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean afterwards: it shall fall to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow. Leviticus 19.10 also deals with this topic: Even in your vineyard you shall not glean or pick the fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the stranger.

Wine enjoyment as an expression of cheerfulness

Although Judaism affirms frugality and frowns upon any ostentation, it accepts all physicality as God-given. This also includes the (albeit moderate) consumption of wine as an expression of cheerfulness and joie de vivre. Wine is not only permitted, it also gladdens the heart and fills life with joy. Kosher wine plays an important ritual role on the holy Sabbath. There are warnings against excessive consumption, for example of chemer: this should be drunk mixed with water, because undiluted it confuses the head and brain. But just as often, the work of the winegrower in the vineyard as well as the wine and vine are praised and described as God's gifts.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament of the Bible, wine or the vine or the consumption of wine is often used in the form of parables, quotations and aphorisms. In the book of...

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Sigi Hiss

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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,379 Keywords · 46,983 Synonyms · 5,323 Translations · 31,713 Pronunciations · 202,091 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

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