After Party

The source of the drinking practice on the Jewish Holiday of Purim is a passage from the Talmud that says: A person is obligated to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between "cursed be Haman" (the bad guy) and "blessed be Mordechai" (the good guy). All religious authorities are unanimous in ruling that it is "a mitzvah" (good deed) to drink, and drink to excess, on Purim, though there are differences of opinion as to whether the obligation is to get as drunk as explained above, or to a lesser degree. In any case, the concept of becoming intoxicated on Purim to the point that one’s reason is totally incapacitated is a legitimate religious position, which requires understanding and validation regardless of whether or not it is accepted in practice. (April 2016)