Yoma 76B

(חייב).

is liable for violating the prohibition: “Drink no wine nor strong drink [sheikhar]” (Leviticus 10:9). Consequently, the term sheikhar in the text can be understood here as the sweet dried fig.

אלא: יליף ״שכר״ ״שכר״ מנזיר, מה להלן ⁠— יין, אף כאן יין.

Rather, the Talmud rejects this and states: It is derived through a verbal analogy of “sheikhar” and “sheikhar” stated in the verses of the nazirite (Numbers 6:3). Just as there, in the case of the nazirite, sheikhar means strong wine, so too, here, it means strong wine and not sweet dried figs.

ותירוש חמרא הוא? והתניא: הנודר מן התירוש ⁠— אסור בכל מיני מתיקה ומותר ביין! ולאו חמרא הוא? והכתיב: ״ותירוש ינובב בתולות״, דבר הבא מן התירוש ⁠— ינובב בתולות.

The Talmud returns to the meaning of the word tirosh: Is tirosh wine? Isn’t it taught in a baraita: One who vows not to benefit from tirosh is not allowed sweet foods, e.g., sweet fruits, but is allowed wine. Therefore, tirosh is not wine but sweet food. The Talmud rejects this: And is tirosh not wine? But isn’t it written: “Tirosh should make the young women flourish [yenovev]” (Zechariah 9:17). The word yenovev comes from the word niv, speech. Consequently, tirosh is a food that tempts the heart and mouth of the drinker, even of virgins, who are modest and reticent. Since sweet foods do not have this effect, tirosh must be wine. The Talmud replies: This is not a proof, since we could explain it otherwise: Something that comes from tirosh, such as wine, causes virgins to come forth; tirosh itself means sweet grapes. Perhaps wine is called tirosh only by extension because it is made from tirosh.

והכתיב: ״ותירוש יקביך יפרוצו״! דבר הבא מן התירוש ⁠— יקביך יפרוצו.

The Talmud challenges this: But isn’t it written: “And your vats should overflow with tirosh” (Proverbs 3:10). This description implies that tirosh is wine rather than sweet grapes. The Talmud answers: This too is not a proof that tirosh means wine. We could say that the vats should overflow with something that comes from tirosh, i.e., wine; yet tirosh itself means sweet fruits.