Manischewitz Wine Glossary

Chanukah - pronounced "hah-na-kah", this eight day long holiday occurs during December. This holiday commemorates a great victory in Jewish history allowing the Jewish people to freely perform their religious functions.

Erev Yom Tov - literally means Holiday Eve, commonly the day preceding a Jewish Holiday.

Kashruth - the laws of Kosher.

Kosher - is a Hebrew word meaning "fit and proper". A food or drink is considered Kosher when it conforms to Jewish dietary laws and is prepared under the strict supervision of a Jewish Rabbi. The rabbi certifies that certain requirements for content or preparation, as set out by Jewish dietary laws, have been satisfactorily met. All Manischewitz Wines® are supervised by a Rabbi during production.

Kosher for Passover - to receive this special designation, a food or drink must meet even stricter requirements than are necessary to be designated Kosher. In the case of Manischewitz Wine®, this means additional supervision according to the more rigorous Jewish dietary laws governing Kosher for Passover products. All Manischewitz Wines, except Elderberry, Loganberry and Cream Peach, are produced Kosher for Passover from December 1^st through March 31^st each year. Please be sure to check the label to ensure that the bottle of wine indicates Kosher for Passover (P).

Mashgichim - means "supervisors" and refers to the Rabbis who supervise the wine making and all of the ingredients that go into the wine. Their supervision is what makes Manischewitz Wines "Kosher", "Kosher for Passover", and "Mevushal".

Mevushal - means that juice for wine is cooked immediately after the grapes have been crushed. According to Jewish law, mevushal wines can be served by non-Sabbath observing Jewish individuals and other people not of the Jewish faith.

Passover - is the most universally observed holiday of the Jewish calendar. It celebrates the escape of the Jewish people from bondage in Egypt. Wine is an integral part of the celebration, especially during the Seders (or dinners) on the first and second night of Passover, when each participant ritually drinks four glasses of wine. Products consumed during Passover must be designated "Kosher for Passover".

Purim - is known as "the Feast of Lots". This holiday commemorates the day that the Jews escaped slaughter at the hands of the King of Persia. To celebrate, Jewish people create Purim baskets containing assorted foods and wine, and send them to one another and to the poor.

Rosh Hashanah - is the Jewish New Year and takes place over two days, usually in September. This followed by Yom Kippur, ten days later and is the time commonly referred to as the High Holidays.

Seder - the ceremonial meal on the first two nights of Passover. This is when the 4 cups of wine are drunk, matzo is eaten and the story of the Exodus is retold.

Shabbos - Sabbath - is the day of rest, occurring on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. The Jewish day starts in the evening and extends to the next evening.

Shavuoth - seven weeks after Passover is the holiday of Shavuoth. This is during the months of May or June. Another name for this holiday is The Feast of Weeks. This holiday commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

Succoth or Tabernacles - this nine day holiday is very joyful, and is fifteen days after Rosh Hashanah. The first two and last two days of this festival are celebrated with a festive meal in the evening and at noon each day.

Tish-B-Av - is another special day that appears on the Jewish calendar. This is a very sad day. In fact, the eight days preceding it are also sad days.

Tu-B-Shevat - is a minor holiday of the Jewish year. This day comes either during January or February. This holiday is the New Year for trees and produce.

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement - 8 days after Rosh Hashanah, this is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, marked by a 25-hour fast and prayer for repentance and a good New Year.