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Wine is considered the most important beverage. Therefore, the Sages composed a special blessing before drinking it, Borei Pri Ha-gefen. Al Ha-gefen is said afterwards (if one drank the volume of an egg-and-a-half), since grapes are one of the seven species for which Israel is known. Because of wine’s importance, the blessings of Borei Pri Ha-gefen and Al Ha-gefen cover all other beverages.
Wine has special characteristics. In addition to being filling, it can also cheer people up thanks to its alcohol content. There are some who mistakenly think a righteous person who wants to live a life of holiness is supposed to be gloomy and distance himself from mundane life to avoid being tempted by harmful desires, arrogance, and foolishness. In fact, the Torah instructs us to find holiness in all areas of life, whether spiritual or physical. We should seek not only spiritual enjoyment but also the pleasures of the senses, such as food which satisfies and wine which gladdens the heart. Therefore, even when Jews are immersed in the spiritual pleasure of deep involvement in Torah and mitzvot, they must participate in the physical enjoyment too. If the body misses out, the spirit is missing out as well. This is why the Sages required making a blessing over a cup of wine on every significant spiritual occasion. This includes weddings, brit mila, and pidyon ha-ben, as well as routine rituals such as Kiddush and Havdala on Shabbat and holidays. Some even use wine for the zimun preceding Birkat Ha-mazon.
When the physical is accompanied by spiritual values, not only is the physical not harmful, it enhances. But when the physical takes center stage and displaces the spiritual, it demeans people to a level that is crass and materialistic. This is true in general, and even more so when it comes to alcohol. Those addicted to alcohol may become contemptible drunks; their ability to reason disappears and they are enslaved by their evil inclination. This is why the Bible and the Sages repeatedly encourage people to drink in moderation. Doing so allows them to be cheerful and thankful to God without losing control and dignity.
