Is Drinking Alcohol (Strong Drink) Kosher?

Is Drinking Alcohol Kosher? A d’rash for parshat Noach - B'reishit (Genesis) 6:9–11:32 By Rabbi Reuel Dillon In parshat Noach the subject of alcohol consumption is mentioned. Amongst believers in Messiah there are different theological ideas when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Some say that we are completely prohibited from drinking alcohol. And, some say that alcohol is permissible as long as one doesn’t become drunk. Some have struggled with abusing alcohol and avoid it so they don’t relapse, an honorable path to take. Some don’t drink so that they don’t cause others to stumble. But, how should we approach this subject? Should we avoid drinking alcoholic beverages? And, more importantly, what does the scripture say? The Cohenim (Priests) of Adonai had certain prohibitions when it came to strong drink or wine. Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:9 states, "Drink no wine (yahyin) nor strong drink (sheichar), you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you don't die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations”. So, during the time that the Cohenim were conducting their service in the Tabernacle they were not to have strong drink. But, otherwise it was allowed. Therefore, instead of scripture prohibiting it altogether…it seems that it is simply regulated according to Adonai’s instruction. The Hebrew word for “wine” is “yahyin” from a root meaning, "to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication intoxication: - banqueting". There is a debate amongst some Christians, and no-doubt some Messianics, that the word “wine” when found in scripture doesn’t actually mean alcoholic wine, but that “wine” just means “grape juice”, and that fermented wine or other alcoholic beverages are forbidden by scripture. Is this true? As we step back and look at the whole of scripture and what it says about this subject it becomes clear what Adonai’s teaching is regarding these things. One of the evidences that the word “wine” speaks of alcoholic wine is seen with how it is associated with the phrase, “intoxicating liquor”. The passage in Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:9 connects the “wine” spoken of with “intoxicating liquor”. The Hebrew word for “intoxicating liquor” is “sheichar”. This word means, “An intoxicant, that is, intensely alcoholic liquor: - strong drink, strong wine". This root comes from the root “shakar”, meaning to become "tipsy, drunk, intoxicated, or to satiate with a stimulating drink or influence”. In B'midbar (Numbers) 6:1-4 the same two Hebrew words for wine and strong liquor are used when describing what a "nazir" (nazerite) is prohibited from consuming. Why is this significant to point out? When it comes to the “nazir” (nazerite) it says that they are not to partake of intoxicating liquor. Through deductive reasoning we can than conclude that if one has not taken a vow of the nazir...the scriptures do not prohibit the drinking of alcoholic wine or intoxicating drinks (strong drink). In fact, from time to time, even Adonai enjoys a drink…B’midbar (Num.) 28:6-7 states, “It is the regular burnt offering, the same as was offered on Mount Sinai to give a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for HaShem. Its drink offering is to be one-quarter hin for one lamb; in the Holy Place you are to pour out a drink offering of intoxicating liquor (sheichar) to HaShem.”. Not only that, but as long as we don’t abuse it, Adonai also encourages us to enjoy a drink from time to time. In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22-26 we read, “Every year you must take one tenth of everything your seed produces in the field, and eat it in the presence of HaShem your God. In the place where he chooses to have his name live you will eat the tenth of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and sheep, so that you will learn to fear HaShem your God always. But if the distance is too great for you, so that you are unable to transport it, because the place where HaShem chooses to put his name is too far away from you; then, when HaShem your God prospers you, you are to convert it into money, take the money with you, go to the place which HaShem your God will choose, and exchange the money for anything you want - cattle, sheep, wine (yahyin), other intoxicating liquor (sheichar), or anything you please - and you are to eat there in the presence of HaShem your God, and enjoy yourselves, you and your household.”. With that being said, although the Torah certainly doesn’t prohibit the drinking of alcoholic beverages, the TeNaKh does caution us on multiple occasions about abusing alcohol and/or getting drunk. Many times when we have too much to drink we do things that are damaging, things that are foolish, and we often embarrass ourselves. In our parashah, we read about Noach (Noah) and the problems that arose when he became drunk from the vineyard he planted. B'reishit (Genesis) 9:20- 22 says, “Noach, a farmer, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank so much of the wine that he got drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham, the father of Kena`an, saw his father shamefully exposed, went out and told his two brothers”. So, the question is, how much alcohol is acceptable to drink and what should the limit be? Generally, it depends on one’s body weight. The lighter one is, the less it takes to get one intoxicated. But, there is also a story from the Midrash Tanchuma (the classical collection of the Sages’ homiletic teachings on the Torah) that if remembered may help to caution us when it comes to how much we drink. The story goes like this, “When Noach took to planting, Satan came and stood before him and said to him: "What are you planting?" Said he: "A vineyard." Said Satan to him: "What is its nature?" Said he: "Its fruits are sweet, whether moist or dry, and one makes from them wine which brings joy to the heart." Said Satan to Noah: "Do you desire that we should plant it together, you and I?" Said Noach: "Yes." What did Satan do? He brought a lamb and slaughtered it over the vine; then he brought a lion, and slaughtered it over it; then he brought a monkey, and slaughtered it over it; then he brought a swine, and slaughtered it over it; and he watered the vine with their blood. Thus he alluded to Noach: When a person drinks one cup, he is like a lamb, modest and meek. When he drinks two cups, he becomes mighty as a lion and begins to speak with pride, saying: Who compares with me! As soon as he drinks three or four cups he becomes a monkey, dancing and frolicking and profaning his mouth, and knowing not what he does. When he becomes drunk, he becomes a pig, dirtied by mud and wallowing in filth.”. Truly, when we allow ourselves to become drunk we become unclean before Adonai. It is a stain on our soul, and instead of being righteous, wise, and understanding we become a great fool for all to see, and while some of us claim to be wise and Godly, if we are known for getting drunk...we are selfdeceived, as we are actually one of the most base and common of the fools of this world. Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:11-13 states, “Woe to those who get up early to pursue intoxicating liquor; who stay up late at night, until wine inflames them. They have lutes and lyres, drums and flutes, and wine at their parties; but they pay no attention to how HaShem works and never look at what his hands have made. For such lack of knowledge my people go into exile; this is also why their respected men starve and their masses are parched from thirst.” Note how HaShem connects the drunkenness of His people with their lawlessness and misguided and foolish behavior, and how those who indulge in such things are guilty for misleading God's people, even into bondage and exile! Mishlei (Proverbs) 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise”. Someone who is not even wise enough to avoid getting drunk is not someone who you want to receive teaching or other so called wisdom and direction from. Such people are the blind leading the blind. Mishlei (Proverbs) 23:29-35 tells us, “Who has misery? Who has regret? Who fights and complains all the time? Who gets bruised for no good reason? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who spend their time over wine, those always trying out mixed drinks. Don't gaze at the red wine as it gives its color to the cup. It may glide down smoothly now; but in the end, it bites like a serpent — yes, it strikes like a poisonous snake. Your eyes will see peculiar things, your mind will utter nonsense. You will feel as if lying on the waves of the sea or sprawled on top of the mast - "They hit me, but I didn't feel it! They beat me up, and I didn't even know it! When will I wake up? . . . I'll go get another drink.". You see, one of the fruits of God’s Spirit living in us is self-control. Someone who is known for getting drunk is certainly not led of God's spirit, but you can be certain that they are being led by a worldly and carnal spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control...”. We are not to let alcohol cause us to loose control of ourselves and we are especially not to allow alcohol to impair righteous judgment. And most certainly, that is what getting drunk does, it impairs righteous judgment...and if someone get to the state of drunkenness...it is impairs righteous judgment for days even after someone sobers up. Other than opening a door to spiritual darkness and demonic oppression, when someone ingests too much alcohol, it leaves physical damage to the person's body that effects their thinking/judgment and bodily health for days afterwards. In an article by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa22.htm) states, "Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients into usable molecules by decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas (2). Alcohol impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines and disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood (3). In addition, nutritional deficiencies themselves may lead to further absorption problems. For example, folate deficiency alters the cells lining the small intestine, which in turn impairs absorption of water and nutrients including glucose, sodium, and additional folate (3). Even if nutrients are digested and absorbed, alcohol can prevent them from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion (4). Decreased liver stores of vitamins such as vitamin A (5), and increased excretion of nutrients such as fat, indicate impaired utilization of nutrients" Also, in an article written by Gina Firth, M.A., L.M.H.C, N.C.C, Director, Alcohol and Drug Education and Luis G. Manzo, Ph. D, Staff Psychologist and Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services, University Counseling Center University of Notre Dame (http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/partynutrition.shtml) states, "Consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in one night can affect brain and body activities for up to three days. Two consecutive nights of drinking five or more alcoholic beverages can affect brain and body activities for up to five days". This causes a number of undesirable side-effects. Some of these side-effects include the inability to think clearly and logically. Irritability is a common symptom, also getting into fights with people, and thus those who drink too much on a relatively frequent basis generally experience problems in their various relationships. It leads to headaches, depression, fatigue, laziness, and many other related symptoms. It often leads to the neglecting of responsibilities at home, work, or school. And, because of the bad choices that one makes and because of the contentious attitude that accompanies the one who chronically becomes intoxicated...such individuals often have a history of legal problems and being arrested. These things simply don't describe the people of God. Those who claim to be God's people, yet do these things are not only liars and deceivers, not only are they hypocrites, but they are some of the worst witnesses to those of the world who are outside looking in to our various communities, as they actively profane the name of our great God and King. As mentioned before, the Hebrew word for “intoxicating liquor” comes from the root “sheichar”, which means, “stimulating drink or influence”. In regards to influencing one's thoughts, on a spiritual level "wine" is spoken of in various contexts, both negative and positive. For example, in Revelation 17:1-2 we see the negative influence of spiritually corrupt wine that influences people to act wickedly. It says, “Then came one of the angels with the seven bowls; and he said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore who is sitting by many waters. The kings of the earth went whoring with her, and the people living on earth have become drunk from the wine of her whoring." On the other hand, Ephesians 5:18-19 contrasts being filled with wine which influences people in a negative way with being filled with the Spirit and being influenced by it instead. It says, “Don't get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to each other; sing to the Lord and make music in your heart to him”. Because wine is known as “the blood of the grape”, often the word “blood” can be idiomatic for “wine”. Yeshua uses both his body and blood idiomatically to describe the word of God and his teaching. In Yochanan (John) 6:53 we read, “Then Yeshua said to them, "Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves.”. Earlier in Yochanan (John) 6:49-51 Yeshua compares his body as the manna (bread) that fell from heaven, the manna that was given to Yisra'el to teach them that man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Adonai (Devarim/Deut. 8:3). And, as we later see Yeshua taking matzah and wine during his last Pesach (Passover) seder and equating them with his body and blood…we can easily see that the blood spoken of in Yochanan (John) 6:53 can be equated with wine. And, often wine is associated with teaching. Therefore, I believe Yeshua’s blood in the passage represents his teaching, which has the effect of strongly influencing his disciples. We are to be influenced by his wine and by his Spirit. The Emissary Sha'ul (Paul) has some strong words and instruction for the Messianic community. In Romans 13:12-13 Sha’ul tells us, “The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with the weapons of light. Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous.”. I don't care if you are going over to someone's house and you are all "Messianic"...we shouldn't deceive ourselves...having a get-together where people are getting drunk is a carnal and worldly party. And, it is an especially profane act if it is taking place on a moed (a holyday) of Adonai. Sha'ul felt so strongly about this subject he also included it in the following passage. 1Corinthians 5:11 states, “…what I wrote you was not to associate with anyone who is supposedly a brother but who also engages in sexual immorality, is greedy, worships idols, is abusive, gets drunk or steals. With such a person you shouldn't even eat!”. Although some in the Messianic and Christian community don't take this subject very seriously, the passage we just read states it in such strong terms that we shouldn't even eat with someone who is known for getting drunk. This is actually a mitzvah for the Messianic community to observe, as we must keep such people accountable. Are we taking this command seriously, or do we simply see it as a suggestion that we can ignore? Sadly, we often don't take it seriously, to the detriment of our community, and thus we contribute to the destruction of our community. It is not only detrimental to our community, but the person that is on this path is actually headed on a path of destruction. So, we shouldn't delude ourselves and think that by not warning such an individual we are somehow being loving or graceful...as we actually will being a showing that person a lack of love and grace as we witness them going to their destruction...without any intervention from those who are supposed to love and care for them. 1Corinthians 6:9-10 tells us, “Don't you know that unrighteous people will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't delude yourselves — people who engage in sex before marriage, who worship idols, who engage in sex after marriage with someone other than their spouse, who engage in active or passive homosexuality, who steal, who are greedy, who get drunk, who assail people with contemptuous language, who rob — none of them will share in the Kingdom of God.”. This becomes even more important for those who find themselves in congregational leadership. 1Timothy 3:2-3 says, “A congregation leader must be above reproach, he must be faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, orderly, hospitable and able to teach. He must not drink excessively or get into fights; rather, he must be kind and gentle. He must not be a lover of money.”. And, in 1Timothy 3:8 it also mentions those whom would be Shammashim (Deacons). It says, “Likewise, the Shammashim must be of good character, people whose word can be trusted. They must not give themselves to excessive drinking or be greedy for dishonest gain.”. There are some that should not drink at all because of past addictions, current addictions, or even because of medical conditions. Or, perhaps someone has a friend or family member that struggles with alcohol addiction and abuse, and thus some avoid alcohol around such a person, so as not to cause them to stumble. But, in Judaism the reality is that one cannot completely avoid being around alcoholic beverages for long…For Jewish families all around the world observe kiddush over a cup of wine, not only each Shabbat, but also on many other special occasions. Therefore, it is recommended that if one has problems with alcohol, they should learn to control their consumption of it, and the community that surrounds them should assist them and keep them accountable. And, as a side note, everything stated in this teaching also applies to those who think it acceptable to smoke or otherwise ingest marijuana, a substance that immediately leads to mind-warping intoxication. In conclusion, although the scriptures do not completely prohibit the drinking of alcohol, it does strictly prohibit someone getting drunk. The Messianic community of believers should keep those whom abuse alcohol, or any other intoxicating substance accountable. It is a serious thing, and should not be treated lightly. And, instead of being influenced and controlled by alcohol, thus becoming a fool and profaning the name of our God, we should instead be influenced and controlled by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), by the word of God, and by the teachings of Yeshua The Messiah. Instead of staying up late drinking alcohol, we should be singing praises to Adonai and should be blessing His name, and awake early in the morning with a refreshed spirit to do likewise. Instead of running to liquor to self-medicate and find peace, our community should gather together to study the word of God, to be influenced by it, and to find shalom in it. V'imru amein, and all God's people said..."Amein!" Shabbat shalom!

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