Is it a sin for a Jew to get drunk.?

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In Judaism, the question of whether getting drunk is a *sin* depends on **context, intention, and consequences**. Here’s the nuanced breakdown from biblical, Talmudic, and modern perspectives:

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### **1. The Torah’s Warnings (When Drunkenness = Sin)**
– **Noah’s Shame** (Genesis 9:21): 
  After the flood, Noah gets drunk, passes out naked, and his son Ham mocks him—a cautionary tale about losing dignity. 
– **Nazirite Vow** (Numbers 6:3): 
  Those taking a sacred vow must **avoid wine entirely**, implying intoxication can distract from holiness. 
– **Priests & Sacred Service** (Leviticus 10:9): 
  Temple priests were forbidden to drink before duties—foggy minds risk improper worship. 

**Verdict:** Drunkenness that leads to **shame, neglect of duty, or harm** is condemned.

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### **2. Talmudic Debates (It’s Complicated)**
– **Purim Exception** (*Megillah 7b*): 
  Rabbis rule you should drink until *”you can’t distinguish between ‘Cursed is Haman’ and ‘Blessed is Mordechai.’”* 
  – **But later scholars clarify:** Don’t get *sick*—just joyful enough to bond with community. 
– **General Rule** (*Eruvin 65a*): 
  *”A person is responsible for their actions only if sober-minded”*—so drunkenness that causes sin (violence, immorality) is sinful. 

**Key Idea:** Alcohol isn’t evil—**loss of control** is the problem.

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### **3. Medieval & Modern Views**
– **Maimonides** (*Hilkhot De’ot 5:3*): 
  Calls drunkenness *”disgraceful”* and a trait of idolaters—but permits wine for joy (e.g., Shabbat). 
– **Chassidic Joy** (*Baal Shem Tov*): 
  Some mystics used wine to elevate spiritual joy (but never to excess). 
– **Modern Rabbis:** 
  – Orthodox: Drunkenness is *assur* (forbidden) if it risks health, morality, or Torah study. 
  – Reform/Conservative: Emphasize responsible drinking; addiction is a serious issue. 

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### **4. When Is It a *Mitzvah* to Drink?** 
– **Kiddush (Shabbat/Holidays):** Sanctifying wine is obligatory—but only a *small cup*. 
– **Weddings & Circumcisions:** Symbolic cups of joy (again, moderation expected). 
– **Purim:** The *only* time Judaism *almost* endorses tipsiness (to celebrate survival). 

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### **5. When Is It a Sin?** 
– **If it causes:** 
  – Neglect of mitzvot (e.g., too hungover for prayer). 
  – Harm to others (violence, reckless speech). 
  – Self-destruction (*”Do not destroy yourself”* – Deuteronomy 4:9). 
– **Addiction:** Seen as a disease, not a moral failing—but recovery is a moral duty. 

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### **Jewish Joke on the Topic** 
*A rabbi catches his student drunk on Purim. The student slurs, “But Rebbe, the Talmud says to drink!” 
The rabbi replies, “Yes, but it also says to ‘know what’s above you’—like your limit!”* 

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### **TL;DR** 
– **Not inherently sinful**—but often risky. 
– **Celebratory drinking = encouraged in moderation.** 
– **Destructive drinking = a violation of Jewish ethics.** 

**Final Thought:** Judaism’s real concern isn’t the wine—it’s **whether you’re still acting like a *mensch*** (decent person) afterward. 

Want examples of how Jewish law handles hangovers? Ask away! 😉