Why the Priests Are Forbidden Wine While Serving

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Shmini 7:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Isaiah said: See how evil is the end of those who drink wine. Isaiah said (in Isaiah 5:11): "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink, who tarry late into the evening while wine inflames them." The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Since wine causes such things, it is only right that I command the priests that they should not be drinking wine while they minister before Me. Thus (Leviticus 10:9): "Drink no wine or strong drink."

Themes

PriesthoodHeresySacrificeAdam EveTemple

Biblical References

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Sifrei DevarimWhat Happens to Redeemed Temple OfferingsWhat Happens to Redeemed Temple Offerings is the question behind this passage from Sifrei Devarim. The passage It tackles a question about these redeemed offeriSifrei DevarimPriestly Duties and the AltarThe Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, dives into just that when discussing the burnt offering, the olah. So, eveTargum JonathanThe Eternal Fire That Atoned for Sins of the HeartThe Targum Jonathan opens Leviticus 6 with a line that does not exist in the Hebrew Bible: the burnt offering "is brought to make atonement for the thoughts of Targum JonathanGod Told Aaron His Inheritance Was God HimselfEvery tribe in Israel received land. The Levites received cities. Aaron and his sons received something stranger: God told them their inheritance was God HimselBamidbar RabbahEach Suspected Woman Stood Alone Before GodBamidbar Rabbah turns to Each Suspected Woman Stood Alone Before God. Specifically, "The priest shall bring her near and have her stand before the Lord." What dMidrash TanchumaYou Find That God, Chose Two Offerings Terumot the Offering Set AsideThat they take for me an offering (Exod. 25:2). May it please our masters to teach us: What did they do with the surplus offering? Thus did our masters teach us