Wine is given in 70 letters; secrets are given in 70 letters (TB Eruvin 65a). When wine enters, secrets escape. (Numbers Rabbah 10; Tanhuma 8) The Midrash brings to our attention that the numerical value of the Hebrew word for wine (yayin) is seventy, as is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for secret (sod): (yayin): yod (10) + yod (10) + nun (50) = 70 (sod): sameh (60) + vav (6) + daled (4) = 70 Based on this gematria (numerical word play) emerged the expression: Nihnas yayin, yaza sod: When wine enters, reason departs, and secret thoughts are revealed. (Numbers Rabbah 10; Tanhuma 8) The medieval poet Ibn Gabirol plays this numerical game in his wine song, Kihlot Yeini, but with a twist. His poem, written as a protest against a wine seller who was mixing the wine with water, converts the Hebrew words yayin (wine) and mayim (water) to their respective numerical equivalents — 70 and 90. WINE Table of Contents