The Jewish Drinking Show

Drew Kaplan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Judaism has a lot to say about drinking - so...what does it say? This podcast focuses on Biblical, Rabbinic, and Halakhic texts dealing with alcohol-consumption.

  1. Biblical Eschatological Abundance of Wine, featuring Professor John Anthony Dunne [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode 182]

    2D AGO

    Biblical Eschatological Abundance of Wine, featuring Professor John Anthony Dunne [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode 182]

    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!

    49 min
  2. Yiddish Drinking Songs, featuring Rokhl Kafrissen [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #181]

    SEP 10

    Yiddish Drinking Songs, featuring Rokhl Kafrissen [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #181]

    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 bagrisnLomir ale in eynemEyn molVen ikh nem a bisl yashShoyn 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 SoCalledLekhayim, 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!

    46 min
  3. Medieval Jewish Wine Poetry, featuring Prof. Ronnie Perelis [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #180]

    SEP 2

    Medieval Jewish Wine Poetry, featuring Prof. Ronnie Perelis [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #180]

    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!

    46 min
  4. One Jew's Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety, featuring Matthew Check [The Jewish Drinking Show episode #179]

    AUG 26

    One Jew's Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety, featuring Matthew Check [The Jewish Drinking Show episode #179]

    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!

    38 min
  5. Rabbi Yair Ḥayim Bacharach on Jews Drinking Gentile Wine, featuring Rabbi Aryeh Klapper [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #178]

    JUN 17

    Rabbi Yair Ḥayim Bacharach on Jews Drinking Gentile Wine, featuring Rabbi Aryeh Klapper [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #178]

    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!

    44 min
  6. Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau's Responsum on Isinglass in Mead, featuring Rabbi Elli Fischer [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #177]

    JUN 9

    Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau's Responsum on Isinglass in Mead, featuring Rabbi Elli Fischer [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #177]

    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!

    47 min
  7. Shmaltz Brewing Transitions Through Experimentation, featuring Rabbi Jesse Epstein [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #176]

    MAY 13

    Shmaltz Brewing Transitions Through Experimentation, featuring Rabbi Jesse Epstein [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #176]

    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!

    44 min
  8. A Kosher Wine Concierge Service in Israel, featuring Eli Freedman [The Jewish Drinking Show episode #175]

    MAY 8

    A Kosher Wine Concierge Service in Israel, featuring Eli Freedman [The Jewish Drinking Show episode #175]

    The newest episode of The Jewish Drinking Show features Eli Freedman speaking on a fascinating kosher wine concierge service in Israel, Cork & Cellar, as well as the newest aspect of this business, the Cork & Cellar Wine Club.  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!

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Judaism has a lot to say about drinking - so...what does it say? This podcast focuses on Biblical, Rabbinic, and Halakhic texts dealing with alcohol-consumption.

Information

  • Creator
    Drew Kaplan
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Jewish Drinking Show
  • Show Website
    The Jewish Drinking Show

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