2,399. Covering a Hole

Maachalos Assuros 12:10

Let’s say that a barrel has a hole on its side and the stopper falls out so a non-Jew put his finger over the hole to keep the wine from flowing out. In such a case, all of the wine from the top of the barrel down to the hole is prohibited but one may drink the wine that’s lower than the hole.

Maachalos Assuros 12:11

Let’s say that there’s a bent pipe of metal, glass or some other material with one end in a wine barrel and the other end sticking out of it. A person sucks on the wine so that it starts flowing, then a non-Jew comes along and put his finger on the end of the pipe to keep the wine from flowing out. In such a case, all the wine in the barrel is prohibited because, if not for his hand, all the wine would have flowed out. We therefore see that all the wine in the barrel is subject to his power.