Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN
Question: Is it a mitzvah to become drunk on Purim? And if so, is it a mitzvah that is obligatory from the age of bar-mitzvah?
Answer:
The Gemara (Megilla 7b) teaches, in the
name of Rabba: "A man is obligated to drink on Purim until he
cannot distinguish between "cursed is Haman" and "blessed is
Mordekhai"." Immediately thereafter, the Gemara recounts that
Rabba and Rabbi Zeira once shared a Purim feast. They became
inebriated, and Rabba slaughtered (shahat) Rabbi Zeira.
The next morning Rabba pleaded for heavenly mercy, and Rabbi
Zeira was revived. The next year, Rabba once again invited Rabbi
Zeira to his Purim feast. Rabbi Zeira refused the invitation,
arguing that he could not rely on miracles happening every year.
Some of the commentaries adopt the view
that the term "slaughter" here is an exaggeration, and that the
Gemara does not mean that Rabba literally killed his colleague.
Some even maintain that term is meant to depict Rabba as
"overwhelming" Rabbi Zeira with difficult Torah questions that
he was not able to answer. Nevertheless, there are poskim who
conclude from this story that it is forbidden to actually become
inebriated, since the consequences can be dangerous and even
deadly. Unfortunately, we need no convincing of this today, in
view of the daily reports in the media of the tragic
consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, as well
as other alcohol-induced violence and accidents.
Both the Sheiltot and the Meiri rule that
it is absolutely forbidden to become drunk, except for a person
who knows with certainty that alchohol will bring him to a state
in which he is able to express praise for God and to utter true
words of Torah. The Meiri emphasizes that it is for this reason
that the term the Gemara uses for becoming drunk - "li-besumei"
- is derived from the word "bosem" - meaning fragrance. Only a
person who knows that what will emerge from his mouth will be
sweet and energizing, like perfume, is permitted to drink at
all. The Rema rules further that one is permitted to drink only
slightly more than usual, and should then stay at home and go to
sleep right away. Once he is asleep, he is unable to distinguish
between "cursed is Haman" and "blessed is Mordekhai".
From all of the above it is clear that not
only bar-mitzvah age boys are forbidden to become drunk on
Purim, but even their fathers and grandfathers should avoid
inebriation. Joy that is the product of true fear of Heaven (yirat
shamayim) is more appropriate than joy that is induced by
strong liquor (yayin seraf).
