On My Mind

Wouldn’t it be great if Rabbi Weinreb would write a letter talking about the fact that children are more likely to be abused in their home during the high holidays and pesach then during any other time of the year.

The reason being is that there is much more tension in a home and finances may be stretch a further.

Paragraph 2 should read that….“measures should be taken to avoid TEENAGERS consumption…”

You assume that the people that would carry a Torah drunk on Simchas Torah wouldn’t think of driving in the same state - I think you are mistaken.

While I agree that alcohol consumption is a serious problem, even in the religious community, and that measures should be taken to avoid their consumption of it on Simchas Torah, I disagree with your general disdain for those who imbibe responsibly.

Judaism, whether it be with reciting Kiddush over a cup of wine or the Four Cups on Passover, has always, historically, involved alcohol in spiritual practice. While I agree that one who NEEDS to drink to attain a spiritual level is acting improperly and may even require professional help, there are many of us who don’t NEED it, but rather use it as an aid to reach a higher spiritual level.

Again, I am not defending alcohol use as it relates to many social and society pressures, but to imply that it’s use serves no purpose goes against Jewish history and the teaching of many Chassidic, and other, Rabbis.