Rabbis issue sobering reminder

RABBIS are cautioning the community to avoid excess alcohol consumption on Simchat Torah, on Thursday night.

Particular emphasis has been placed on religious leaders to take a leading role in educating and advising members about the dangers of binge drinking.

“Simchat Torah is among the most joyous festivals of the Jewish year. It is considered a great mitzvah and privilege to dance and rejoice with the Torah as much as possible,” president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) Rabbi Yaakov Glasman said in statement to member rabbis.

“As the religious leaders of our community, we wish to clearly advise every member of the community that not only is there no obligation to engage in excessive alcohol consumption on Simchat Torah, but it is in fact expressly prohibited in the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law].”

Rabbi Glasman went so far to call the act, and the associated health risks, a chillul Hashem, or desecration of God’s name. He specifically called on parents to act to stop their children from binge drinking.

“We urge parents in particular to communicate this message to their children, and most importantly to lead by example through their own responsible behaviour. We strongly caution adults and youth leaders against the misguided practice of supplying alcohol to minors with the unfounded belief that this somehow constitutes the mitzvah of spreading joy during the festival of Simchat Torah.”

Rabbi Eli Feldman from Bondi’s Young Adult Chabad commended the RCV for issuing the statement. He said Chabad is very careful to address the same issues on Simchat Torah.

“We always refuse to serve minors alcohol and we also refuse to serve anyone who is inebriated. We have a number of policies in place to avoid any incidents and, thank God, they have worked in the past years.”

Simchat Torah celebrates the conclusion of the reading of the Torah for one year and the beginning of a new cycle. Synagogues traditionally hold parties, where congregants sing and dance to celebrate the Torah.

DALIA SABLE