Post by achot on Mar 4, 2012 2:35:49 GMT -5
Ok, I know that this is none of our business, but since Public Health IS our business, I am butting in. As nurses, our opinions and advice are respected within the communities we live in. I strongly recommend we use our influence to educate and discourage extreme alcohol intake on Purim especially among young Mothers who may not have the backbone to stand up to their husbands and sons. I totally understand that people view Purim (and Sholom Zachors, and Weddings, and even Levaya's etc) as a Mutar time to inebriate themselves. It can be fun if its done responsibly and there is NEVER a reason not to do a mitzvah responsibly! However we all know that it can get out of hand and have witnessed disastrous results.
The problem lies with 1) underage drinking which should never be encouraged, in any circumstance. and continues as adults think its cute to give children alcoholic beverages.
2) In addition, people who are drunk cant gauge for themselves what they can handle and might start mixing beer, whiskey and wine - a thingytail for disaster!.
3) Peer Pressure
4) Misinterpretation of the Mitzvot of Purim ( and other events)
Many shules, Rabbanim and institutions have already taken local ads to encourage responsible drinking, we should do no less. The most reasonable recommendations I heard came from Gateshead:
www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/46766/no-purim-whisky-yeshivah-boys
www.vosizneias.com/78965/2011/03/18/manchester-rabbi-yeshivah-boys-should-only-drink-on-purim-in-moderation/
In short: Limit drinking to wine only, try to do it at the seuda only, and it is Assur to give an obviously drunk person more to drink.
I am often asked what is considered moderate drinking.... I tell them "As much as your wife says it is..." and for the unmarried bachur, "As much as your Rav says it is"...
Here is a link to explain Moderate Drinking:
alcoholism.about.com/cs/basics/l/blnaa16.htm
Please join responsible health care professionals in discouraging excessive drinking on Purim and safety all around.
May we have a safe and Freilich Purim, with only Bsorot Tovot~!
The problem lies with 1) underage drinking which should never be encouraged, in any circumstance. and continues as adults think its cute to give children alcoholic beverages.
2) In addition, people who are drunk cant gauge for themselves what they can handle and might start mixing beer, whiskey and wine - a thingytail for disaster!.
3) Peer Pressure
4) Misinterpretation of the Mitzvot of Purim ( and other events)
Many shules, Rabbanim and institutions have already taken local ads to encourage responsible drinking, we should do no less. The most reasonable recommendations I heard came from Gateshead:
www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/46766/no-purim-whisky-yeshivah-boys
www.vosizneias.com/78965/2011/03/18/manchester-rabbi-yeshivah-boys-should-only-drink-on-purim-in-moderation/
In short: Limit drinking to wine only, try to do it at the seuda only, and it is Assur to give an obviously drunk person more to drink.
I am often asked what is considered moderate drinking.... I tell them "As much as your wife says it is..." and for the unmarried bachur, "As much as your Rav says it is"...
Here is a link to explain Moderate Drinking:
alcoholism.about.com/cs/basics/l/blnaa16.htm
Please join responsible health care professionals in discouraging excessive drinking on Purim and safety all around.
May we have a safe and Freilich Purim, with only Bsorot Tovot~!