Halacha Yomis - Wine, non-mevushal OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevy Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)

Q. Is there any problem with an aino Yehudi handling a closed bottle of non-Mevushal wine? Does the non-Mevushal wine always have to remain covered in an aino Yehudi’s presence, so that he doesn’t even look at it and render it prohibited? (A subscriber’s question) A. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 124:17) writes that if an aino Yehudi shakes an open bottle of wine, even though he did not directly touch the wine, it becomes forbidden. However, if the bottle is closed, even if it is not sealed, it may be moved or even shaken by an aino Yehudi (Yoreh De’ah 124:25) because ain derech nisuch b’kach (this is not a method for serving idolatry.) However, if the bottle is not sealed, an aino Yehudi should not be left alone with the bottle of wine. There is a concern that the bottle might be opened and poured. Some have a custom (based on the Shelah Hakadosh) not to use wine for Kiddush if an aino Yehudi looked at it. In some communities this custom is widely followed while in others it is not observed.