Kiddush - Grape Juice

QUESTION: May one use grape juice for kiddush?

ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 272:2) writes that one may squeeze a cluster of grapes (before Shabbos) and recite Kiddush on the juice. From here we see that freshly squeezed grape juice is acceptable. However, grape juice will ferment very quickly unless it is cooked. For this reason, with the exception of special runs of frozen grape juice, all grape juice is cooked, even those labeled non-mevushal. The term non-mevushal in this context means that it was not cooked to the high temperature needed to allow a nochri to handle it, but it was pasteurized to the point that the yeast and bacteria were destroyed. Shulchan Aruch (OC 272:8) cites two opinions as to whether one may recite Kiddush on cooked wine. The main opinion is that it is permitted, however there is a minority opinion of the Rambam that does not allow. The Rema writes that the custom is to be lenient. Even still, some individuals are careful to only use non-mevushal wine for Kiddush, as per the ruling of the Rambam. Rabbi Genack said that this was the practice of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l. He would only recite Kiddush on non-mevushal wine, however for other kossos shel beracha, such as the other 3 cups of wine at the seder, he would use grape juice.

Some poskim (e.g., Minchas Shlomo I:4) write that reconstituted grape juice, which is made from grape juice concentrate (about 20%) and is mostly water (80%), may not be used for Kiddush. Rav Belsky zt"l held that even reconstituted grape juice may be used, since it has the same taste as regular grape juice. All OU grape juice with the words “Kosher for Kiddush” printed on the bottle contains at least 51% single strength grape juice. In this case, everyone would agree that its beracha is borei pri hagafen and that it is fit for Kiddush.

____________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.