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Jews Worry About Purim’s Endorsement of Alcohol
03-06-2012
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man lies drunk on the groun during Purim festivities in Israel, 2011. Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images
It's almost Purim, and Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb is feeling a mix of joy and dread.
Joy because the Jewish holiday commemorates the survival of ancient Jews against the threat of extinction and children dress in costumes and exchange gifts and candy. Purim, on Wednesday (March 7), is also Weinreb's birthday.
Dread because too many times, Weinreb has seen the high cost of Purim's darker side, the "ugly and despicable behavior" of young yeshiva students who drink to excess on a day that is equal parts Halloween and Fat Tuesday.