The Four Cups of Wine: Difference between revisions

There is a Rabbinic mitzvah to drink four cups of wine at the Seder. <ref> Chazon Ovadia (pesach page 1). However, Rav Shlomo Kluger in Sh"t Kinat Sofrim 95 holds that the obligation of the four cups of wine is from the Torah. </ref>

# It's preferable to use red wine. <ref> S"A 472:11. Mishna Brurah 472:38 says that this is in commemoration of the Jewish blood that was spilled in Mitzrayim. </ref> If there's white wine that's better than the red wine, Ashenazim say that one should have the white wine, while Sephardic practice is to have red wine anyway. <Ref> Rama 472:11 writes that if the white wine is better one can have that instead of the red wine. Kitzur S"A 118:1 concurs. Kitzur S"A 118:1 adds that in countries where there is a fear of a blood libel, the minhag is not to use red wine. However, Chazon Ovadyah (Pesach vol 2 pg 11) writes that the Sephardic custom is to use red wine anyway. </ref>

# Many authorities say that one may not use grape juice for the Seder, however, if one hates wine or will become ill, then there's is what to rely on to have grape juice. <ref> Mikrei Kodesh 2:35 (pg 130), Sh"t Chazon Ovadyah (in the note on pg 99-100), Halachos of [[Pesach]] (chapter 20, Sec B 5, pg 222) quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein rule that one doesn't fulfill חירות- having wine as a free man by having grape juice. However, Halachos of [[Pesach]] concludes that if one is unable to have wine one should have grape juice. Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:243 writes that the Chazon Ish, Brisker Rav, and other Gedolim used grape juice at the end of their lives when they were unable to drink wine. </ref> Others, however, permit having grape juice and adds that lechatchila women and children can use grape juice. <ref> Sh"t Mishneh Halachot 10:87, Nefesh HaRav (p. 185) in name of Rav Soloveitchik </ref>

# The Ashkenazi minhag is to make HaGen on each cup of wine and a Bracha Achrona only on the last one. <Ref>Rama 474:1 </ref>  

# The Sephardi minhag is to make HaGen on the first and third cup of wine and a Bracha Achrona only on the last one. <Ref>S”A 474:1 </ref>

# There’s no Bracha Achrona on the first cup even if one knows that one will take longer than Shuir Ikul in explaining the Haggadah. <Ref>Halichot Shlomo 9:24 </ref>

# One may drink wine in between the first, second, and third cups of wine but not between the third and fourth cups. <ref> The Mishna (Pesachim 117b) states that it is permitted to drink wine between the 4 cups of wine, except between the third and fourth cups. The Rashbam (108a s.v. Bein Shelishi) explains that one may drink wine between the first, second, and third cups because it serves as an appetizer for the Matzah. However, after Birkat HaMazon, when there’s no more need to eat Matzah, drinking an extra cup appears as though one is adding on to the established 4 cups of wine. See Reshimot Shiurim (Sukkah p. 139) for an explanation of why it only appears as adding but does not violate Bal Tosif.

# If all four cups are drunk at once and not dispersed throughout the Seder in their proper place one doesn't fulfill his obligation. <ref> S"A 472:8 </ref>