Important Tips for Those Who Drink on Purim

60
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

wineIt is worth knowing that hangovers can be avoided. With a little knowledge and care, you can still get drunk to the point of “ad delo yada” without suffering from it afterwards.

The following directions can prevent or reduce the unpleasant side effects of drinking. They are based on reliable medical sources, and have been proven in practice.

If you don’t feel well, do not drink. Alcohol interferes with the immune system, and drinking can inhibit the body from healing itself properly.

Before drinking:

1. Eat a lot. Fatty foods (or foods mixed with olive oil), fried foods and starchy foods (made of flour, potatoes, rice, etc.) are especially good.

2. Eat burnt toast. The carbon in it aids greatly in the digestion of alcohol.

3. Drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages, especially those containing vitamins. Taking a multi-vitamin is also a good idea.

Though eating may slow the effect of the alcohol, it will not prevent intoxication. Drinking and eating will prevent dehydration, and help the body absorb the alcohol properly, preventing feelings of nausea.

While drinking:

1. Cheap alcoholic drinks are harder on the body, so don’t drink junk. Light-colored drinks and those with no sugar added are also better for you.

2. Stick to one type of drink. Only drink beverages derived from the same source of alcohol (e.g. grape, grain or other fruits). Definitely do not drink wine after beer.

3. Don’t drink too much too fast. You should wait at least half an hour between drinks. (One drink = one glass of wine or one shot of whisky).

Waiting will not prevent your intoxication.

4. Accompany your alcoholic drinking with more food and non-alcoholic beverages (burnt toast is particularly helpful). It is best to drink at least one light beverage with every alcoholic drink you have.

5. Don’t drink carbonated beverages. They complicate the absorption of the alcohol.

6. It is advisable to avoid caffeinated beverages like cola, coffee, or tea.

If you start feeling nauseous, stop drinking alcohol, drink lots of water, and eat starchy foods. The food will absorb the toxins of the alcohol-not eating is a big mistake.

After drinking:

It is important to help the body continue to digest the alcohol within it, and to replenish its store of vitamins. Therefore you should continue drinking water and other beverages containing salt, sugar, and vitamins (especially vitamin C and potassium). You may also want to take a multi-vitamin.

If you don’t feel well the next morning, have eggs (cooked are better than fried) with burnt toast and a banana. These foods contain the nutrition that the body needs to rehabilitate itself. You can also aid the process by drinking water and resting up well.

A freilichen Purim.

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}


60 COMMENTS

  1. Gevaldig! I know people are going to lambast you for this article, so I want the thanks to come first.

    As in other issues in life, advocating to abstain from something, doesn’t mean that we should refrain from teaching the correct way to do that same thing. While some need to abstain. those who don’t, should at least minimize the damage. You might as well teach the positive aspects of it. We have seen Gedoilem and ehrliche yidin drink with a special gehoibenkeit.

    Same attitude ( teaching the right way to do something, while advocating abstinence, and the positive uses) should be applied to technology use, taking a degree, office environment, etc.

  2. It appears that you are encouraging drinking in excess. Why not discuss and encourage responisible drinking and behavior on Purim. This will prevent R”L unforseen injury and more. It will also prevent and Chilul Hashem.

    a freilachen Purim

    a concerened grandparent

  3. Excellent tips. And for regular drinking, just do the same in moderation. Enjoy!

    Can someone comment on wine being preferable for Purim drinking?

  4. Tips on drinking? Really? Idiots! Do NOT drink. Period. I have a little secret for you. Those who drink on Purim, drink other times too. How about some tips on how to smoke only one cigarette? I always surmised that there were idiots at Matzav. This simply confirms it.

  5. The top of the article should read:

    IF YOU DRINK DON’T DRIVE — EVEN BUZZED DRIVING CAN KILL

    or maybe also

    ALWAYS HAVE A DESIGNATED NON-DRINKING DRIVER FOR YOUR GROUP

    and of course:
    BALEI BATIM: DO NOT GIVE A YESHIVA BOCHUR WHO COMES COLLECTING **ANY** ALCOHOL (its likely illegal and you will be held responsible for the outcomes…)

  6. I also have advice on how to avoid a hangover……

    Don’t drink to that point! Use some self control!

    Purim has become an excuse to overdrink, overeat, and do inappropriate things.

    Time to stop using the excuse ad delo yada to get drunk!

  7. While I cannot believe Matzav would post this article, unfortunately drinking is a reality on Purim. The is no question that if chazal were mesaken the Halochos of Ad Delo Yoda today – in a generation where addiction and alchohol abuse was so rampant and real – things would be different. In fact our Rabbonim and Gedolim and our wonderful Hatzoloh medics who see the scary results today are all trying to clear up misconceptions and misuse of these Halochos but sadly, in many cases it falls upon deaf ears.

    HOWEVER – everyone – from Chazal, Rishonim, Achronim, Poskim, Mishna Berura etc. etc. ALL agree and ALL say – Drinking is with WINE ONLY!!!! There is no heter or mekor anywhere to schnaaps, whiskey or any other type of alcohol beverages. Of course without question even wine can only be given to adults. Anyone who gives children – any age – something to drink is Asidin Letayn es hadin. Every boy (or girl) out there who is seen drinking on Shabbos, at a Simcha or any other time – it all started with someone giving them a drink. Well, that person who gave them their first or second or third taste is ultimately going to pay for the damage they created in the life of that child.

    after 120 you will see a video of the potential that that child had and lost because you thought it was fine to give them a drink.

    If you have any Tzoros in your life – health, parnosa, family or any other – go ask Mechila from the child you once gave to drink. This is a serious crime. HKB”H looks at you and sees clarity. If you ruined someone else why should you have it good?

  8. I hope the many underage yeshiva bochurim take this advice. I prefer them just driving and behaving drunk, not vomiting. Tizku l’Eitzos Tovos!!

  9. What wonderful advice. Here a few things you forgot to mention:
    1. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. EVEN IF YOU “FEEL FINE” AFTER A FEW DRINKS YOUR FUNCTIONING IS IMPAIRED. REACTION TIMES ARE DELAYED AND COORDINATION IS OFF. IF YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AFTER DRINKING, PEOPLE, NOT JUST YOU, BUT OTHERS MAY DIE.
    2. IF YOU ARE UNDERAGE, DON’T DRINK. YOU LACK THE MATURITY AND JUDGMENT TO DECIDE TO DRINK. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE THAT EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM MIGHT BE DOING IT. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF YOUR REBBE IS POURING. IN FACT IF YOUR REBBE IS POURING AND OFFERING IT OR MAKING IT READILY AVAILABLE TO UNDERAGE KIDS, HE’S COMMITTING A CRIME, PROBABLY A FELONY. DRINKING THAT BOOZE MIGHT EVEN BE LIFNE IVER AND MESAYEIHU L’DAVR AVEIRAH. (ALSO IF THE REBBE IS POURING, IT’S PROBABLY TIME FOR THE YESHIVA TO GET A NEW REBBE, AS THIS GUY IS AN IRRESPONSIBLE CRIMINAL)
    3. GETTING DRUNK IS STUPID. DRUNK PEOPLE MAKE IDIOTS OF THEMSELVES. THOSE OF US WHO STAY SOBER ARE GENERALLY DISGUSTED BY THE ANTICS OF THE INEBRIATED. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT SEE YOU AT YOUR WORST (I.E. A BOSS OR POTENTIAL BOSS OR CLIENT OR SHIDDUCH PROSPECT) AND WRITE YOU OFF AS JUST ANOTHER DRUNKEN FOOL.

  10. to reader and oy vey!

    the sefer piskei teshuva quotes numerous sources regarding drinking only wine on purim, yet also quotes opinions that otr alchoholic beverages could count as well-check it out

  11. To #5,
    How will you define “???? ???? ?????? ??????”? Isn’t this a gemara? I have yet to hear of any poskim that say that today is “different” and people should not drink. Of course people should drink! IT’S A MITZVA! Now, it would be a nice thing to know how to drink safely. That is why we have the beautiful above article from Matzav, with some great tips of how to do that.

  12. Oy vey said “HOWEVER – everyone – from Chazal, Rishonim, Achronim, Poskim, Mishna Berura etc. etc. ALL agree and ALL say – Drinking is with WINE ONLY!!!! There is no heter or mekor anywhere to schnaaps, whiskey or any other type of alcohol beverages”

    you’re ignorance is showing. have you ever heard of mishnah berurah? have you ever opened that book? misquoting halachah for an agenda is much worse than drinking anything. (and you don’t even know how to find a piskei teshuva – “cheating sefer” – on hilchos purim! what it’s probably in the 1st chelek right?)

  13. Rav Yisrael Salanter used to drink on Purim and his Talmidim didn’t even know he was intoxicated bec. he was so refined that he had control over himself with or without alcohol. He drank until he fell asleep and at that point he truly did not know the diference between Baruch Mordechai and Arur Haman.
    If drinking will bring out something vile in a person then they are better off without any alcohol. How many ADULTS (underage drinking is a big no no) can honestly say that they will tolerate the alcohol like Rav Yisrael Salanter…

  14. #5,

    I, as well as many others, get inebriated on Purim.

    It sounds stupid to accuse people of being stupid based upon a very false assumption!

  15. Its understandable that you feel no drinking should take place but please do not make up false facts to prove your point!

    #5 I am not sure where you come from but you obviously do not come from a typical contemporary “Bnei Torah” background. While it may be correct that most people who drink a whole year do drink on Purim the opposite is simply not true! The typical Ben Torah that drinks on Purim does NOT drink any other time. You can bring anecdotes to the contrary but what you stated is simply not true.

    #9 While you are correct that most Rishonim and Poskim say that the mitzvah is wine, if you open any “Likkut” such as the aforementioned Piskei Tshuva you will see Poskim that disagree. See Shmatta D’Moshe from R’ Moshe Feinstein that says any “Dovor Hamishtaker” is fine.

  16. I can’t say anything negative about the article and as someone mentioned, people drink any ways so why not give some tips. I would add some of my own. One thing that come to mind. No matter how sober you think you are and you think you can handle to not drive. give your keys away if your the type not to obey once things get out of hand.

  17. To #20 who said:
    “How will you define “???? ???? ?????? ??????”? Isn’t this a gemara? I have yet to hear of any poskim that say that today is “different” and people should not drink. Of course people should drink! IT’S A MITZVA!”

    See the Bais Yosef in Hilchot Purim who says that drunkenness is the worst sin.

    If you are looking for Mitzvos, try Kemach Yoshon, which is a DiOrysah. Make sure your whiskey and beer are kosher. Make sure you Purim seudah is with kosher bread and pastries. Stop choosing mitzvos based on your desires.

  18. Drinking isn’t assur. Getting drunk is assur. You can drink in moderation – unless you’ve got an addiction problem, in which case of course you shouldn’t drink at all.

    The easiest way is one I learned from a relative. Have one or two drinks, then go to sleep. You’ve had a drink, and you’re then ad d’lo yada because you’re asleep. Getting blind drunk is creating a hillul HaShem. You’re created in the image of the Bore HaOlam – how can you embarrass it by getting drunk?

    And, of course, don’t drink and drive, and NEVER give a drink to someone underage. A freilegen Purim to all.

  19. And I wouldn’t try to follow any of the cute tips in this article. It’s probably “Purim Torah.” The only help for a hangover I know is to drink a lot of water or juice (in my younger days, tomato juice by choice), take a couple of aspirin, and write yourself a note to stick in your Megillah for next year how rotten you feel, so you won’t overdo it again.

  20. drinking a little on shabbos at a young age may actually prevent damage from addiction to alchohal in the future–as long as it is done in small quantities.

  21. Judaism is about mesorah- not about rants on the internet- I drink ad dlo yadah om purim because my rebbeim drink on purim ad dlo yada. pshuto kmashmao

  22. Learn through the shulchan aruch orach chaim on this for yourself. You will see that the vast majority of rishonim and acharonim say NOT to drink until what people think is the mitzvah of ad delo yada (Rema, Taz, Gr”a, Pri chadash, Pri Megadim, et al). Add the fact that many are nichshal in the mitzvas asey of krias shma shel layla and birchas hamazon, and the heter for following the Mechaber kepeshuto gets very iffy indeed.

  23. And this false notion that Purim or Kidushim create alcoholics is purely agenda driven. I’ve spoken to frum professionals who deal with addiction and was told that it’s a documented fact that the the frum community has the lowest I repeat the lowest ratio of alcoholics in the entire universe! The reason they say is precisely because we DO teach our children how to be responsible and only drink on certain occasions and not abuse alchohol….
    For those who always argue that you should rather be doing another mitzva, your argument only proves that you have no inherent reason to prove your point but some false personal agenda.

  24. MAYBE INSTEAD OF POSTING YOUR PERSONAL VIEW AS TO WHEATHER PEOPLE SHOULD DRINK OR NOT, MAY WE SHOULD LISTEN TO OUR RABBANIM AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY REGARDING YOUR CASE AND SHTELL THIER PSAK TO ANYBODY BECAUSE MAYBE FOR THEM THE RAV WILL SAY IT IS ASUR. BY THE WAY YOU DONT NEED TO GET DRUNK IN ORDER TO HAVE SIMCHAS PURIM IF YOU ARE DOING THE MITZVAS HAYOM THAT IN ITSELF WILL BRING MUCH SIMCHA TO YOU BECAUSE THESE ARE ONLY ONNCE A YEAR. MAY WE ALL BE ZOCHE TO HAVE A REAL SIMCHAS PURIM AND WALK AWAY FROM THIS YOM TOV AS AN UPLIFTED PERSON NOT DUE TO ALCOHOL BUT RATHER BECAUSE OF THE MITZVOS AND TORAH WE GAIN FROM IT.

  25. to #21 – Mr. sushi. How sad it is that you mock Halacha and lower yourself to name calling et al. Please see for yourself the Mishna Berura in Chaylek Vov Siman Tuf Raish Tzadi Hey, Se’if Bays (and I QUOTE)”Haga: Veyaish Oimrim D’ayn Tzorich Lehishtaker Kol Kach Eluh Yishte Yoiser melimudo Veyeeshan”. Then see the Mishna Berura (which you claim I have never opened) and please see Seif Koton Hay where the Mishna Berura – The Chofetz Chaim himself – writes on the word Veyeeshan – (again i quote) “Vechayn Ru’oiy Laasos (Pri Megodim)”.

    While you are there why not check out the Sharei teshuva on the page as well (Ois Bays on Veyeeshan). Keep reading in this Siman and you will see (as quoted by the intelligent and learned people above) that ALL of this is ONLY if it is Lshaym Shomayim and will not cause any Bizayon or bitul Mitzvos. So Stam hefkayrus and getting drunk the good ole american way is an issur.

    Yom Hakipurim is Kepurim. Yom Kippur is like Purim meaning (according to many) Purim is a holier day. We have a different way to celebrate the awesomeness of the day on Purim and if done al pi halacha and with the right intentions it will bring us shefa brocho. However, if people laugh at it, mock it, or worse – do what you have done in how you write then they have only themselves to blame when challila they or those they love suffer in health, finances, relationships, kids and all other terrible nisyonos and Gezayros they will bring upon themselves.

    Be responsible. Don’t be foolish and spew your hatred for being a Frum Yid. Be proud of who you are and what you represent and rather then insult or mock, how about lift and learn and then encourage others to see the true light and beauty of the Torah and its wonderful details.

  26. To #41,
    “For those who always argue that you should rather be doing another mitzva, your argument only proves that you have no inherent reason to prove your point but some false personal agenda.”
    COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER!

  27. The mitzvah of drinking wine and ad deloi yuda are 2 seprate mitvos poskim say its a mitzvah to drink wine but u don’t have to be makayim ad deloi yuda on wine it can be any alcoholic beverage. A freilichen purim

  28. For a couple of years in the mid 1970’s, I was privileged to attend the Yeshiva Gedola – Merkaz HaTorah – Tiferes Mordechai in Montreal when the Rosh Yeshiva was Rav Mordechai Weinberg, ZT’L.

    Rav Weinberg was well known as being a very powerful person and a phenomenal speaker. When he would deliver a Sichas Mussar regarding a certain kind of human corruption, he would often exclaim his condemnation of the wrong behavior with a brilliant force and energy that was literally awesome. Of his several Sichos that I was privileged to attend, I think that the biggest of them was the one regarding this problem of the terrible wreckage caused by people misusing the Mitzva of getting drunk on Purim.

    In general, in the yeshiva among the students, there had been talk about the issue. One of the very serious problems that had been discussed was how (some of the) students would get heavily drunk. Then, when they would walk down street, they would be so severely nauseous that they would VOMIT RIGHT ONTO PEOPLE’S LAWNS!!!!

    It was thus understandable that the yeshiva had to set up rules and guidelines. There was thus a rumor that an announcement had been made that (the “getting drunk” was to be only for the older more mature students, BUT) if any student in the HIGH SCHOOL were to get drunk, HE WOULD BE EXPELLED!!

    One year on the evening of Purim, at the gathering that was then held in Rav Weinberg’s house, Rav Weinberg forcefully explained that the Mitzva of drinking/getting drunk IS ONLY by the celebrations done during THE DAY, but NOT at the celebrations of the night (before). He thus strongly denounced those people who would get drunk at night.

    The height of this condemnation though, came one year in the Sichas Mussar that Rav Weinberg delivered on Erev Shabbos Zachor (the Friday before the Shabbos before Purim). The basis of the lecture was the principle that the Mitzva on Purim of our recounting the story of the fall and destruction of the hyper-wicked Haman and his hyper-wicked Amalek nation, is an indication of our task in life of eradicating evil from the world.

    A short while into the lecture, Rav Weinberg suddenly paused; then, with the most abhorrant anger, he vehemently shouted:

    “IN MITTEN M’CHIYAS AMALEK, DU GIVEN A SHTICK AMALEK!!!!!”

    (“Right in the middle of when you are supposedly eradicating evil, you yourselves become ‘a piece’ of evil!”)

  29. (conclusion of previous comment)

    Oh yes, Rav Weinberg himself DID get drunk; his being drunk was obviously something that was totally constructive. It is vividly in my mind the picture of the scene of a Purim Seuda in the yeshiva dinning room:

    At the front table was seated Rav Weinberg and, Yibodel L’Chaim Tovim V’Aruchim, one of the Chavrei HaKollel, Rav Mordechai Tauber, Sh’lita. They were both obviously drunk; they were actually taking drinks, and saying over one of the expositions of the great Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yitzchak Hutner, ZT’L. Then Rav Weinberg started singing a little chant that was composed by the great 20th century Talmudic analyst, Rav Boruch Ber Lebowitz, ZT’L; it was known as “Rav Boruch Ber’s Niggun”:

    ” . . . Mitten Ganssen Moach, Unenganssen Koach . . . !!”

    ” . . . (Our learning Torah must be done) with our entire minds and with all of our strength . . . !!”

    Then Rav Weinberg related a few stories about some incidents that expressed the extreme importance and love of Limud HaTorah.

  30. #41 –
    You are very misguided. That is a myth that jewish (frum and not yet frum) community have told ourselves for years. Talk to Rabbi Dr. Twerski on the subject and he clear up your misconceptions

  31. ??? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ?????
    Even if your are a ????? do it ??? ?????
    not to be able to say you are better than others.
    A freilche purim to all!!!!!!!!!!

  32. to all those who are studying this very important maamar – it is worthy to note that the antidote to drinking on purim is none other than “”””burnt toast “””.. in loshon hakodesh –lechem soruf – which is the gematria of “”” purim sh’kach”” i.e. forget purim !!! how deep !!!(if it doesnt work out today wait 2 more days)

  33. The Gemara, all the Geonim, and all the Rishonim, didn’t have wiskey. That’s one reason you don’t find it referenced.

  34. Dear Matzav (and Noam Amdurski), Shame on you for using no discretion at all in publishing this information. Every idiot will read this and think that “well, if Matzav is publishing it then it must be okay to gat slammed.” This goes in the face of every current proclamation made by all the Gedolim. You should have the brains to write a retraction about you use of poor judgment. Look at some of the comments above; you invite laitzanim to write foolish remarks that are bordering on what some gedolim refer to as an element of dinei nefashos. Will you be so wry when children are hurt because of your pitiful advice? FYI: I am an ICU physician and my brother is a member of Hatzalah, there is nothing that can cure a drunken episode more than NOT DRINKING! How many patients have YOU taken care of in your life? How many children and family members have you had to face because of bad decisions made by someone “who ate some fatty oily foods, with burnt toast, a caffeinated beverage, and a multivitamin”? Do you have any daas or at least have the brains to listen to the gedolim? In times like these Klal Yisroel needs a yeshuas Hashem, not advice of how to make a chilul Hashem more palatable.

  35. to 57 your crazy YOU dont have to get drunk on purim but other people are and there is no question abt it its a mitzva so they are rying to warn the people with a few easy tips for the ones that need it

  36. To #58, you obviously have never taken care of someone suffering from delerium tremens (withdrawal) which can be fatal, a patient who went into fulimnant liver failure requiring liver transplant (a very dangerous proposition) or a patient who became a paraplegic from a transected cevical spinal cord due to an alcohol related car accident. Please refer to the proclamations by the Gedolim in every local paper. There is a mitzva d’oraysa of “V’nishmartem” which likely trumps the assumed mitzva of drinking on purim.
    I hope you will have more accomplishments in your life to look back on other than getting “wasted” (or even just drunk enough to cloud your judgment)on Purim.
    Best wishes for much needed safety to you and your drinking buddies.

Leave a Reply to jeremy lin israel Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here