1 year ago

Rabbonim Pen Strong Letter on Excessive Purim Drinking

Ahead of Purim, the Beis Din of Crown Heights, headed by Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yosef Braun published a letter on Friday about limiting the use of alcohol on the Yom Tov • Full Story

By Chabadinfo Reporter

“It has already been publicized several times to remind and warn about this subject of observing and totally fulfilling… this well-known edict not to drink alcohol excessively, especially by those aged under 40 years old, and particularly by unmarried young men…” The Rabbonim point out in the letter.

The letter continues “The responsibility devolves upon the mashpiyim to repeat and make known all the details of this in accordance with what is explained in the Rebbe’s holy sichos, and that the edict applies in full force even on Purim.

“…It is also extremely dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol. Parents need to be alert to the phenomenon of alcohol drinking among young people, and to explain to them the dangers involved in this.” the letter concludes.

Full Letter:

FREE TRANSLATION

By the grace of G-d, 8th Adar, 5783 [2023]

Since the day of Purim is soon arriving, we hereby remind everyone about the Rebbe’s well-known edict about limiting the drinking of alcohol, which applies also on Purim [as the Rebbe explicitly stated].

“It has already been publicized several times to remind and warn about this subject of observing and totally fulfilling (“without any Kuntzen” – evasive tricks – as that Rebbe said) this well-known edict not to drink alcohol excessively, especially by those aged under 40 years old, and particularly by unmarried young men, although even those aged over 40 also need to minimize their drinking.

The responsibility devolves upon the mashpiyim to repeat and make known all the details of this in accordance with what is explained in the Rebbe’s holy sichos, and that the edict applies in full force even on Purim, and that the responsibility applies not only to every individual regarding himself but also that he has the duty of watching over others that they should not drink excessively.¹

Furthermore, there applies here the mitzva, “And you should beware greatly for your lives”: Excessive consumption of alcohol can easily cause toxic poisoning and even worse (may Hashem, the All-Merciful One, save us). It is also extremely dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol. Parents need to be alert to the phenomenon of alcohol drinking among young people, and to explain to them the dangers involved in this.²

With blessing for a joyous Purim,

Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba
Member of the Beth Din

Rabbi Yosef Yishaya Braun
Member of the Beth Din

1. See Sichos of Shabbos Parashas Shmini, 5723; 12th Tammuz, 5725; Shabbos Parashas Noach, 5727; Shabbos Parashas Balak, 5744.
2. In general, regarding drinking of wine etc. by young people, see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, 32:8; Yavin Shamua by Tashbetz, Maamar Chametz, quoting “doctors”; Sh’vilei Emuna 55, p. 114