The Perils of Early Wine Exposure

Century after century, people have sought ways to protect their children’s health, and sometimes the solution seemed unexpected – wine used as a remedy for ailments such as “jaundice.” At first glance, this practice reflects the desire of parents and mentors to shield their offspring from illnesses by harnessing the natural power found in a beverage made from grapes. However, behind this ancient tradition lies harsh criticism aimed at its potential to accelerate the physical activity of a young body. It is believed that consuming wine not only stimulates physical strength but also prematurely awakens life and reproductive instincts, which can lead to a breach of moral norms and the loss of chastity.

This approach raises serious concerns among those who wish to preserve the purity and innocence of childhood. It is argued that any factor capable of destroying innocence or disrupting the natural development of personality should be eliminated, and giving wine to children often turns out to be a factor contributing to excessive early activity. Based on historical reasoning and observations, one can conclude that even the best intentions sometimes backfire with unforeseen consequences.

In the end, despite the desire to protect children from diseases, using wine as a prophylactic measure becomes a controversial practice associated with the risk of premature and excessive physical and moral development. This ancient experience reminds us that the struggle for health and purity demands a balanced approach, carefully analyzing the possible consequences of every decision.

Why do some churches practice serving kosher wine to children, and what might be behind this tradition?

Some sources mention that in earlier centuries, parents or spiritual mentors gave wine to children, believing that it had prophylactic properties against certain diseases (for example, “jaundice”). Along with this, the tradition may conceal the belief that a small serving of grape wine could somehow strengthen a child’s health. However, in one of the discussions cited in the source, a sharp criticism of this practice is emphasized: it is stated that wine accelerates physical activity and, therefore, causes children to start manifesting their bodily and even reproductive instincts early, leading to the loss of chastity and the emergence of other undesirable consequences. Thus, behind the tradition there may be an attempt to ensure health, yet it is accompanied by concerns about the premature and excessive awakening of children’s physical and moral activity.

Supporting citation(s):
"Many parents give wine to infants, and even adolescents, to supposedly prevent certain diseases, especially jaundice. What foolishness! Wine accelerates and intensifies physical life activity in infants and adolescents (as in every person); their reproductive parts quickly begin to develop and assert their demands — and, lo and behold, from an early age, children come to know debauchery, lose their chastity (both of soul and body, alas), and most often become libertines, or sexual perverts and adulterers. What great harm is done by children consuming alcoholic beverages or grape wine! If, at an age when for most people the consumption of wine is dangerous for maintaining mental and bodily purity, even though they possess reason, conscience, and God’s commandments, then is it not even more dangerous for children whose minds and consciences are still in their infancy, while their sinful flesh begins to assert its demands." (source: link )

Also, a second excerpt emphasizing the dangers of various excesses underlines that any factor capable of destroying innocence should be eliminated, which indirectly pertains to the serving of wine to children. (source: link )

Thus, it can be concluded that, despite the historical motivation related to disease prevention, serving kosher wine to children may have negative consequences, contributing to accelerated physical and moral development, and raising concerns among caregivers and spiritual mentors.