D. Bennett asked:
What does it mean that milk is meshaker. Does this refer to some kind of fermented milk drink? What about figs? If it means a fermented drink, why only the figs from "kilis"?
D. Bennett, Toronto, Canada
The Kollel replies:
Milk has the tendency to make one drowsy. See Shoftim 5:25 and commentaries there.
The fig-beer referred to in the Gemara also has intoxicating properties. Particular species of figs, or figs grown in a particularly conducive climate, will produce a much more potent drink.
Y. Shaw