Controversy: Drinking on Purim

The Jewish holiday of Purim, the day marking the anniversary of when Queen Esther saved the entire Jewish population in Persia, is, arguably, the most anticipated and celebrated holiday among Orthodox Jews. Celebrated in this case, however, does not mean simply recognized with a vain and boring trip to Synagogue. On the contrary, Purim is a day to truly rejoice and party till night fall with true happiness as we appreciate and recognize G-d for our well-being and continued safety. Ironically, it is on Purim that so many put themselves in an ever-so-dangerous situation drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Moreover, the over indulgence and heavy intoxication consumes far more than just ultra-Orthodox Jews or fathers and rabbis. In fact, for far too many, drinking on Purim is a normal activity regardless of age or responsibility. Drinking not only poses as a risk to safety on so many levels, but it encourages bad decisions of other sorts that could see teenagers engaging in activities of all types that would be frowned upon. Ultimately, we as proud and devout Jews, must recognize the importance of safety, morality, and the commitment to making a Kiddush Hashem over a practice that has been taken far out of context.

The origins of the Purim drinking practice are rooted in the Talmud as it says, “One is to drink to the point of not knowing the difference between the cursed Haman and the blessed Mordechai.” However, the rabbis were not intent on seeing that the entire nation bring themselves to a crazy and unhealthy level of intoxication. Rather, the rabbis saw it that Purim be a day of true joy and exuberant happiness. Meaning, if one were to become drunk with happiness they would be fulfilling the true essence of the obligation. Purim is a day of celebration, pure happiness, and gratitude to G-d. Purim marks the anniversary of the Jewish people’s first experience with anti-Semitism, and as we have for done for 2,000 years we bested those that sought to destroy us. Furthermore, this was one of the most extreme cases of anti-Semitism, as Haman had the Jews counting down the days until their death for months, and all of a sudden, with the help of G-d, the Jewish people were saved. Thus, one can only imagine the feeling of every Jew who lived at that time, complete happiness, pure joy, cries of thanks, dances of exhilaration. Today, Purim is not a day to be intoxicated, it is a day to be “drunk” with happiness and joy and to replicate that feeling the Jewish people had when they were saved.

Despite the pure origins of the misunderstood obligation, it has evolved into a disgusting and disappointing tradition that has seen many eradicate the tradition all together. Among the many methods in which one can become drunk with sincere happiness is becoming heavily intoxicated. However, if your behavior will not remain at the level of a Torah observant Jew, then one is only harming himself and destroying the nature of the obligation. Purim is not an excuse to get drunk as heck, lit, turnt, or whatever slang term is in these days; rather, it is a day that should be filled with purest and most wonderful quality of life: happiness. From giving food to others, to donating money to the poor, the entire holiday is rooted in sincere, true, and pure happiness. For most of us, the concept and practice of drinking is just a distraction.

Those in favor of widespread drinking on Purim are not out to cause harm to the holiday or to any person. In effect, however, it does do so and there is no way around it. Those in support of drinking, are simply trying to fulfill the holiday of Purim in the most complete form possible, but at what cost. By allowing and supporting drinking in such an open and disturbing manner, they not only detract from the holiday, but often it shines a lesser light on the Jewish people. While it may be no one’s intention to do so, encouraging and allowing drinking from people of all ages, especially teens, encourages lesser behavior, behavior that is bound to portray a ben or bat Torah in an unfavorable manner. Ultimately, as Jews, we are to embody and act as the children of G-d and shine a light onto the other nations, such is our mission. Aspiring for anything less, is simply not an option. Thus, feeding alcohol into the mouths and bodies of so many including those that are unequipped, is like fueling a time ticking bomb waiting to explode.

Ultimately, the practice of drinking on Purim is an obligation pure and good at heart, however, has been greatly taken out of context. Purim is meant to be a day of sincere, pure happiness and nothing less. Drinking is just a distraction from the true nature of the holiday, and, moreover, it puts so many in a position to do harm to themselves and to the Jewish people. Moving forward, Jewish educators and rabbis should seek to emphasize the true purpose of the holiday over the outdated and distracting practice of drinking. To those who could responsibly drink while maintaining proper respect and behavior, go ahead. However, to all those who cannot, especially teens, enjoy the holiday and let the true essence of Purim come to fruition: happiness.