the danger to morals of drink-
ing wine, while other sources
advocate it almost as a
religious duty.
In ancient Israel, wine was
the intoxicating beverage
because grapes were plen-
tiful, whereas in Bablyon
they were scarce, so beer was
the popular drink.
Occasionally Jews took
upon themselves the vow of a
Nazirite — one who lets his
hair grow long, avoids contact
with the dead and abstains
from strong drink. Some rab-
bis believed such a person to
be holy, while others de-
nounces him as a sinner for
denying himself wine that is
God's gift to mankind (Ta'anit
11a).
The priests in the rIbmple in
Jerusalem had to abstain
from wine before performing
any service, and there is a rul-
ing that a teacher who drinks
even a little wine must not
give decisions in Jewish law
because his mind is not clear
enough for balanced judg-
ment. The prophet Isaiah
wrote of drunken orgies: "But
these also reel through wine
And stagger through strong
drink . .
But to add to our own con-
fusion, Psalm 104:15 praises
"wine to gladden the heart of
man . . ."
Most Jews in Israel restrict
their indulgence of wine to
making kiddush and Hav-
dalah on Shabbat, to the four
cups at the Passover seder
and an occasional glass with
a festive dinner. But it is good
to have one day a year for fun;
a day to let our hair down,
even in the synagogue. ❑
4
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World Zionist Press Service
Classes Focus
On Passover
Aleynu, the Partnership for
Adult Jewish Education, and
Young Israel of Southfield,
will co-sponsor classes and
sessions about Passover.
Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg
will present a two-part series
on how to conduct and par-
ticipate in a seder on April 4
and 11 at 8 p.m. at Young
Israel of Southfield.
The seder will be the topic
of the April 5 and 12 lunch-
and-learn sessions at
Schlussel, Lifton.
At 8 p.m. Wednesday in
April at Young Israel of
Southfield, Rabbi Goldberg
will discuss the Haggadah.
On April 9 at 8 p.m. at Young
Israel of Southfield, Rabbi
Goldberg will discuss how to
prepare one's home for
Passover.
For information, call
Aleynu, 968-3000.
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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
17