An important Mitsva that we celebrate on Purim is the Mishte (the celebratory meal of Purim). During the day of Purim we will participate in a festive meal or Se’udat Purim. At this banquet we sing; rejoice and we convey our gratitude to HaShem for having saved us from a genocide. It is customary to celebrate serving wine in this banquet (MT Megilla 2:15) and thus “toast” for our salvation, consuming a little more alcohol than usual. But we must act with moderation.
PURIM and ALCOHOL ABUSE
Thus writes the Rosh (1250-1320) in his book “Orchot Hayim”. “[Although alcohol is served during the Purim banquet] we should not get drunk, because if one gets drunk he is committing a very serious prohibition, and it is difficult to conceive a greater transgression, since drunkenness causes a person to act with promiscuity or recklessness, and one may even inadvertently cause the death of another person [the words of the Rosh in our day should remind us that many fatal car accidents that are the result of drunkenness, Y.B]. or other similar serious incidents. “
CHEERING or GETTING DRUNK?
Maimonides (1135-1204) clarifies that the measure of the consumption of alcohol in Purim is וירדם בשכרות “until one feels drowsy from the effects of alcohol”. Alcohol in moderation makes a person to feel relaxed, since alcohol is a muscle relaxant and has sedative effects. But Maimonides clarifies, although in a different context, that drinking too much alcohol, getting drunk, is considered a very inappropriate behavior. Similar to what the Rosh mentioned he said: the effects of drinking alcohol excessively can cause the most serious sin in Judaism: “Hillul HaShem “, the desecration of the name of God. In Mishne Torah De’ot 5: 2 he writes: “kol hamishtaker … getting drunk is a sin, and a deplorable act, because it causes a person to lose his wisdom.” If a Torah scholar gets drunk in front of other people (‘ am ha ‘arets), he has desecrated the name of God (חלל את השם) .We, the Jewish people, must feel happy for the privilege that the Creator chose us to fulfill a mission: to be the light of the nations, and set the example of morality, integrity and closeness to God. During Purim, in addition, our joy must come from a feeling of gratitude. Recognizing that HaShem, fulfilling His promise to us that he will never let the Jewish people disappear, saved us from a great danger. Our happiness must come from this consciousness, not from alcohol.
THE REAL SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
Maimonides also explains that our personal happiness increases when we do something for others, especially when we share what we have with those who have less. In MT Megillah 2:17, Maimonides clarifies how to be happy in Purim: “There is no greater and more sincere happiness than the feeling of making other people happy, especially the needy, the orphans, the widows and the stranger. [Because] a person who helps and assists other people feels the happiness of imitating the actions of HaShem [middame bashejina] as it is written “HaShem … revives the spirit of the poor and the heart of the oppressed” (Yesha’ayahu 57 :15).
PURIM, AS AN EXCUSE
Purim should not be used as an excuse to indulge in excessive drinking. “These days,” says Rabbi Weinreb, a leading rabbinical leader in the United States, “when many of our young people are tempted to experiment with drugs or alcohol, we must warn against the dangers of alcohol abuse, especially in Purim. Since we were not commanded to get drunk and lose our heads … rather, we are expected to behave with happiness, so that we are more aware of our gratitude and love for HaShem, for the miracles he has done with all of us. “
