We saw that if the wine is left uncovered for a small amount of time, and the smell and taste is unaffected than it may still be used for kiddush. We mentioned from the Divrei Malkiel that one has up to twenty minutes. We also saw that since nowadays wine is cheaper, perhaps even twenty minutes is too long. However, many poskim learn that even today, if the wine is left uncovered for a small amount of time it is still lechatchilah to use. The question is, if a small amount of time isn’t a problem, what amount of time is considered a problem?
The Ben Ish Chai (Year 2, Bereishis, ois 25) writes: If the wine is left uncovered overnight then it’s a problem. The Kaf HaChaim (272 s.k, 7) also takes on like this. The Divrei Malkiel (4:1) writes that up until five or six hours is ok.
Interesting Proof from Seder Night
The Ketzos HaShulchan (46:2) brings an interesting proof from Seder night. He writes that he heard from R’ Moshe Tzvi Noeh, that on Seder night we pour the second cup of wine and recite the Haggadah, and the cup of wine is left uncovered sometimes for “three of four hours” We see that at least three of four hours is perfectly lechatchilah.
However, R’ Shlomah Zalman Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos, Perek 47, he’orah 90) writes: We can’t bring any proof from Seder night, as the Haggadah requires the cup of wine, and it is comparable to one who recites a lengthy kiddush. However, if one leaves the wine uncovered for three or four hours for no good reason, even if he is learning Torah, then it would be a problem.
In Halichos Shlomah (Pesach, Perek 9, he’orah 158) they bring that R’ Treiger the father-in-law of R’ Shlomah Zalman said, that this is very mechudash [novel] as the problem of uncovered wine is because of הקריבהו נא, and the fact that the wine loses its taste and smell, and for this it doesn’t make a difference why the wine was left uncovered?
He answers: What we have to say is, R’ Shlomah Zalman held, that since when the mitzvah was started it was suitable, we are no longer concerned if later on it then becomes unsuitable.
