Op-Ed: It’s Not Chasidic to Drink, It’s Against Chasidus

by RabbI Chaim Dalfin

The drinking problem in Judaism including Chabad needs to stop. Too many people are hurt because of it. I don’t come as a Mussar Magid, rather, out of genuine concern.

I received a call from a seasoned Mashpia who spoke to me about the drinking in Yeshivas, including by some Mashpiim, that must stop. The new drinking before kabalas Shabbos known as “Bein” is part of the problem, and kiddushim, ufrufs and other simchos also aren’t a drinking party.

One way to stop this is by the leaders standing up and saying so. They need to do this because people are being hurt by this drinking.

It’s against the Rebbe, Chasidus and Torah to drink. Having one little L’Chaim in the right setting is fine. Any Mashpia under 40 according to the Rebbe isn’t allowed to drink. If the Mashpia tells you otherwise he is lying. The yeshiva Administration must tell such a Mashpia to stop or lose his position. Period. There’s no room for negotiation.

Too many students are hurt from drinking at Chasidic Farbrengens. It’s not Chasidic to drink. It’s against Chasidus.

Chasidim would have an empty bottle on the table while farbrenging for hours. In Russia, drinking was a way to alleviate one’s fears when having to disseminate Torah. We are in a free world.

The Rebbe writes in Igros that today we have the Frierdiker Rebbe’s teachings which gives us everything we need as a Chasid. It substitutes for drinking.

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Wishing you kabalas haTirah bsincha ubpnimius.