Purim And Drunkeness

As you know, I have been alerting the community of the increasing problem of alcohol abuse and marijuana smoking among Jewish adolescents. It is unfortunate that many people still do not accept that some of our own children are involved. This is happening to children from the finest families.

Given the gravity of the problem and the ineffectiveness of prevention programs, the very least we can do is to avoid encouraging intoxication.

Purim is soon upon us, and many people drink to excess because of the mistaken notion that there is a "mitzvah" to get drunk on Purim. Rabbi Shneur Zalman in his Shulchan Aruch (529) says, "It is impossible to serve Hashem either in levity or drunkenness." One of the final authorities on halacha, the Chafetz Chaim in Mishna Berura (695) states clearly that the proper thing to do is not to drink to intoxication, but rather to drink just a bit more than is customary (which would be a glass or two of wine), and go to sleep. This is the proper way to fulfil "not distinguishing between 'cursed be Haman' and 'blessed be Mordechai.' "

There is certainly no justification for drinking anything but wine. Aruch Hashulchan (695) condemns drinking spirits (liquor) in very sharp terms. Alcohol intoxication is an abomination, and overriding the rulings of the Baal Hatanya and the Chafetz Chaim by drinking to intoxication is inexcusable.

Let us use good judgment on Purim. We should set a model for our children by not drinking to excess and by supervising adolescents so that they do not drink. We can all enjoy a safe, respectable Purim.…

Sincerely,
Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

And then, this:

… One challenge we face is the upcoming holiday of Purim, which has been characterized in past years by excessive drinking, resulting in disgraceful behavior, unsafe practices, and even real tragedy. Purim has been traditionally associated with the drinking of wine, and indeed drinking on Purim has a halachic basis in a Talmudic source. Thus, our call for zero tolerance of drinking on Purim among teenagers, and for sincere moderation of drinking on Purim among adults, has met the objection: “But it is a mitzvah!”

The fundamental rationale of our opposition to alcohol consumption by teenagers on Purim is the fact that drinking often leads, especially among youngsters, to serious medical consequences. It is instructive that among the strong supporters of our campaign have been members of Hatzoloh, the rescue and ambulance corps, who report that Purim does not go by without incidences of toxic reactions to alcohol requiring emergency treatment, to driving accidents, and sometimes even to deaths.

These considerations of health and pikuach nefesh (the saving of lives) easily transcend whatever mitzvah might be involved in drinking on Purim. Secondly, and very important, is the fact that it is against the law for an adult to knowingly provide alcohol to individuals who are under age. While there may be exceptions when wine is served for ceremonial purposes, clearly that exception assumes that no more than a symbolic quantity is ingested. Teachers or rebbeim who supply minors with wine or liquor on Purim are in violation of the law of the land.

The Orthodox Union does not want to seem prudish or to be advocating total prohibition of alcohol. However, for those sectors of our population in which the call for moderation is likely to be ignored, we believe that zero tolerance is the only alternative. Adolescents, and adults with alcoholic tendencies, cannot be relied upon to effectively practice moderation; we therefore are calling for total abstinence on Purim among those populations.

It is instructive to study the sources in halacha, that is Jewish law, for drinking on Purim and to recognize that although the Talmud clearly states it is an obligation on Purim to the extent that “one cannot distinguish between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordechai,” it is not clear that the Talmud means to become intoxicated …

One of my personal favorite works on the spiritual underpinnings of halachic practice is Yesod veShoresh haAvodah, The Foundation and Root of Worship by Rabbi Alexander Ziskind of Grodnow. He writes that one must realize that the Talmud suggests only “livesumei” and does not use the term “lehishtaker,” which would mean “to become drunk.” The former term means to drink just enough that one’s heart is lightened and one can truly indulge in the spiritual celebration of the theme of the day of Purim.…

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

Of course, the vast majority of Chabad Houses (along with various other haredi and MO outlets) will ignore both the Alter Rebbe's pesak din and any other voices of reason. Chabad and mashka (vodka) are inseparable.

BTW, Rabbi Yakov Horowitz endorsed Rabbi Twerski's letter and has written two related columns of his own

Comments

"Chabad and mashka (vodka) are inseparable."

I have said it before and I'll repeat it now; things have changed very radically in this area in recent years. I remember R. Zalman Posner telling bochurim that they had no business drinking anything beyond yayin lekiddush, havdalah, arba kosos, etc. This was accompanied by a major Cheilek on the dangers of excessive drinking and smoking.

[frumbabe]

those who use drugs dont need purim as an excuse

Like you give a flying fuck as too wether anybodyh heeds the Alter Rebbes psak din!!!

Your a malicious, vindictive bastard the son of a bastard and a whore.

[go fuck yourself scottie]

youre a sad old man and i feel bad for you.

hit a whore house and feel better.

okay pumpkin?

[haha]

fuck the fucking fuckers.

[Ari]

Legality aside, I find it interesting that the problem with alcohol is "abuse" and the problem with marijuana is seemingly any "smoking"

IMO, occasional recreational pot smoking is MUCH less harmful than alcohol abuse

[Yos]

F-word! Effing F-Word, F-Word! See how refined we are!

[IbnTznunya]

This is a worthy post and you did a great public service in making these words known. Just look at some of the previous comments. Now imagine how these empty headed people will act once thery are drunk. Purim always makes me a little nervous because it is often filled with truly ugly behavior and sometimes violent quarrels. Youth cetainly should not get drunk and we adults are obligated to set a good example. Well done.

[Shmendrik]

Ari, very good point.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

IMO, occasional recreational pot smoking is MUCH less harmful than alcohol abuse

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that line from a drooling pothead at school I would be rich. Most of our vices are bad for us if enjoyed too frequently, let's not kid ourselves.

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

"Chabad and mashka (vodka) are inseparable."

I once met a Chabad shaliach put wine in his toddler son's bottle before putting him down for a nap.

--

[Eshkol Hako-fer]

Of course, the vast majority of Chabad Houses ......will ignore both the Alter Rebbe's pesak din and any other voices of reason. Chabad and mashka (vodka) are inseparable.

to the outsider, it would seem that the Alter Rebbe, yes had his psaq, but didn't really mean it. There must be some chassidic insight that signals the opposite. So appropriate for chassidus in Purim:
...venahafokh hu!.....

As to ...(along with various other haredi and MO outlets)....
none does it with more gusto than the lubis.... The illegal bottles to minors are tools to hijack impressionable young souls. No different than drug dealers. Our centrist synagogue has an enforced "0" tolerance.

To this writer, chayav adam lebissumei, is not a mitzva by any extent of immagination. it is a mitzva for the foolish cohorts

[Anoni]

Our people youth and elder have survived thousands of Purim celebrations with much partying.
Just because some losers cant hold their liquer now the anti charedim are becoming all Charedi on this issue.

And by the way notice he says

"It is unfortunate that many people still do not accept that some of our own children are involved. This is happening to children from the finest families."

So the rest of us Am Haaratzim are lame families???

This has been going on for decades but now that the "finest families" are involved, lets do something finally ehhh?

[Ari]

Neo-conservaguy:

Note that I said "occasional" - excessive pot smoking can be harmful just as excessive drinking. I just find it ridiculous that even occasional, infrequent pot smoking is deemed as just as dangerous as alcohol abuse.

And if you think for a second that I'm a "drooling pothead" student you are sorely mistaken.

[ira kaufman]

i'll drink to that.