“One must drink on Purim until one can’t distinguish between ‘Curse Haman’ and ‘Bless Mordecai’.” – Megillah, 7B, cited in Shulchan Aruch 699:2

The earliest description of syphilis dates to the 15th century. But it wasn’t called syphilis then.

In England, it was called “The French Disease”, in France “The Italian Disease”, in Russia “The Polish Disease”, in Poland “The German Disease”, in Denmark “The Spanish Disease”. In India, the Muslims blamed the Hindus and the Hindus blamed the Muslims.

(Needless to add, in many countries, the Jews were impugned for it.)

When dealing with hedonistic vices, like sex, and alcohol, it’s always someone else’s problem.

Growing up, I was told the Irish, with their whiskey, were alcoholics; the Italians with their Vino were drunks; the Blacks with their Ripple were lushes, but alcohol wasn’t a problem for Jews.

I certainly saw the first three on the streets of Washington Heights. However, in Shul there, I also witnessed men drunkenly retching on Simchat Torah, as well as a quorum staggering back to their seats reekingly, weakly from the weekly “Kiddush Club.”

Alcohol is an undeniable part of Jewish culture. Wine is integral to every Shabbos, Kiddush, wedding, Bris, indeed every Simcha. At Seders, we’re obligated to drink 4 cups of it. At some bar mitzvah parties, adults are entertained plying 13-year-olds with booze to make them Shikkur.

Stylish synagogues attract congregants by offering “Open bars” after services, as do Jewish college groups. On Simchat Torah,  vodka bottles are........

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