Mitzvah —
219
He must not drink wine, wine mixtures, or wine vinegar
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מִיַּ֤יִן וְשֵׁכָר֙ יַזִּ֔יר חֹ֥מֶץ יַ֛יִן וְחֹ֥מֶץ שֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א יִשְׁתֶּ֑ה וְכׇל־מִשְׁרַ֤ת עֲנָבִים֙ לֹ֣א יִשְׁתֶּ֔ה וַעֲנָבִ֛ים לַחִ֥ים וִיבֵשִׁ֖ים לֹ֥א יֹאכֵֽל׃ - פָּרָשַׁת נָשׂא
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Numbers 6:3 - "He shall abstain from new wine and aged wine; he shall not drink [even] vinegar made from new wine or aged wine, nor shall he drink anything in which grapes have been steeped, and he shall eat neither fresh grapes nor dried ones."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holiness – קְדוּשָּׁה
A Nazir is forbidden from drinking wine, wine vinegar, or any grape-based beverage during the period of his vow.
This mitzvah prohibits the Nazir from drinking wine or any derivative such as vinegar or grape-based liquor. Wine, often associated with joy and social celebration, is set aside by the Nazir as part of his separation and consecration to Hashem.
By abstaining, the Nazir demonstrates self-discipline and devotion, distancing himself from indulgence and distraction to focus entirely on his spiritual state.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 5:1): Prohibits wine, mixtures, vinegar, and any intoxicating grape product during naziriteship.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 368): The root is to distance a person from overindulgence, teaching moderation and spiritual focus.
- Talmud (Nazir 3a): Expands the prohibition to include all intoxicating grape products, highlighting the Nazir’s unique separation.
- Rashi (Numbers 6:3): Notes that wine symbolizes pleasure; the Nazir abstains to elevate himself above worldly desire.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 5:1) emphasizes that abstaining from wine is not for health or discipline alone, but because Hashem commanded it. The Nazir’s faith is expressed in surrendering even permitted pleasures.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 368) teaches that avoiding wine cultivates fear of Heaven, since the Nazir must constantly resist indulgence and remain mindful of his consecration.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Talmud (Nazir 2b–3a) calls the Nazir “holy,” linking his abstinence from wine to a higher state of sanctity. The restraint transforms his lifestyle into a visible mark of holiness.
Nazir – נָזִיר
- Rambam (Hilchot Nezirut 2:1) explains that abstinence from wine is one of the three defining prohibitions of a Nazir, together with avoiding impurity and not cutting hair.
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת
- While wine is normally permissible, for the Nazir it becomes forbidden like a non-kosher food. This highlights that sanctity can redefine dietary law in special circumstances.
Speech – דָּבָר
- The Nazir’s abstinence begins with his words of vow. His speech creates a prohibition that transforms something otherwise permitted into something forbidden.
Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת
- Sefer HaChinuch stresses that this law emerges from the vow system. Through his declaration, the Nazir binds himself, demonstrating the Torah’s power to elevate speech into sacred law.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Rashi (Numbers 6:3) notes that wine represents social celebration. By abstaining, the Nazir separates even from communal joys, underscoring his unique public consecration.
Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)
- This mitzvah is primarily about devotion to Hashem. By abstaining from wine, the Nazir distances himself from worldly distractions to focus his spirit entirely on G-d.
