Dear Friends,
It didn’t take Bill W and the Big Book in the 1930’s to learn that inebriation was a problem. Or, that inebriation by public officials was dangerous.
It was well-known well before that.
In fact, twice in the Torah – once in Genesis and again here in Leviticus, we encounter trouble with drunkenness. In Genesis, Noah became intoxicated and was helped-up by his sons, but not before he may have had an inappropriate sexual encounter.
Here in this week’s Torah portion in Leviticus, there is a suggestion that Aaron’s two eldest sons, who were summarily smitten by God when they crossed an ethical boundary on the day when Aaron was to be ordained the High Priest, were killed, perhaps, due to public drunkenness on a sacred day. Leviticus records this rare rebuke from God directly to Aaron: “And the Eternal One spoke to Aaron, saying: ‘Drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you enter the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die. This is a law for all time throughout the ages.’” (Lev. 10:8-9)
Now, the text did not explicitly indicate that Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, were inebriated that day when God struck them down. But, that the Torah immediately follows with our verse offers a unique “asmachta” – textual linkage – suggests strong coincidental and contextual evidence. Moreover, God’s instruction apparently comes out of the blue, with no other connotation other than the preceding episode of the sons’ deaths.
Hence, public intoxication by public officials in the line of duty is not tolerable. Moreover, the inherent danger of any drunkenness is warned, especially when one is working for the wellbeing of the community.
There is a public trust which abides all generations and which expects that those who serve the common weal will do so with unimpeded attention. It is not a new concern. Torah demonstrates that with he very first public servant – Noah – there was at least one episode of substance abuse. Perhaps working for the public stirs discontent which stirs alcohol use or that of other intoxicants. That may be a concern for public health officials.
But, for us, the message is clear: be careful. Be attentive. Heed the demands of one’s office. And, put the glass down.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
It didn’t take Bill W and the Big Book in the 1930’s to learn that inebriation was a problem. Or, that inebriation by public officials was dangerous.
It was well-known well before that.
In fact, twice in the Torah – once in Genesis and again here in Leviticus, we encounter trouble with drunkenness. In Genesis, Noah became intoxicated and was helped-up by his sons, but not before he may have had an inappropriate sexual encounter.
Here in this week’s Torah portion in Leviticus, there is a suggestion that Aaron’s two eldest sons, who were summarily smitten by God when they crossed an ethical boundary on the day when Aaron was to be ordained the High Priest, were killed, perhaps, due to public drunkenness on a sacred day. Leviticus records this rare rebuke from God directly to Aaron: “And the Eternal One spoke to Aaron, saying: ‘Drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you enter the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die. This is a law for all time throughout the ages.’” (Lev. 10:8-9)
Now, the text did not explicitly indicate that Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, were inebriated that day when God struck them down. But, that the Torah immediately follows with our verse offers a unique “asmachta” – textual linkage – suggests strong coincidental and contextual evidence. Moreover, God’s instruction apparently comes out of the blue, with no other connotation other than the preceding episode of the sons’ deaths.
Hence, public intoxication by public officials in the line of duty is not tolerable. Moreover, the inherent danger of any drunkenness is warned, especially when one is working for the wellbeing of the community.
There is a public trust which abides all generations and which expects that those who serve the common weal will do so with unimpeded attention. It is not a new concern. Torah demonstrates that with he very first public servant – Noah – there was at least one episode of substance abuse. Perhaps working for the public stirs discontent which stirs alcohol use or that of other intoxicants. That may be a concern for public health officials.
But, for us, the message is clear: be careful. Be attentive. Heed the demands of one’s office. And, put the glass down.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
