Why the High Priest Must Not Drink Wine Before the Service

R. Judah HaLevi bar Shalom said: In the Hebrew tongue its name is yayin (wine), and in the Aramaic tongue its name is ḥamar. Ḥamar ( ") in gematria is two hundred and forty-eight ( "), corresponding to the limbs that are in a person. The wine enters into each and every limb, and the body grows slack and the mind is unsettled; the wine enters and knowledge goes out. And so taught R. Elazar HaKappar: Wine enters, which is seventy, and a secret goes out, which is seventy. Therefore the High Priest was commanded not to drink wine at the time of the service, so that his mind not be unsettled, for he guards the Torah (and guards the service) and the knowledge, as it is said, "The Torah of truth was in his mouth, and no iniquity was found on his lips" (Malachi 2:6); and it says, "For the lips of a priest guard knowledge" (ibid., 2:7). Therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, commands Aaron, "Wine and strong drink you shall not drink" (Leviticus 10:9), [and not yourself alone, but "your sons with you"; and do not] think that perhaps I commanded you at first only for the past, at the time when the Temple is standing and you minister in it, as it is said, "when you come into the Tent of Meeting" (ibid.); [rather,] guard yourselves from wine forever as well, as it is said, "an eternal statute for your generations" (ibid.). Therefore guard yourselves from wine, for wine is a sign of a curse. Noah—what is written concerning him? "And he drank of the wine and became drunk" (Genesis 9:21). What is written? "And he said, Cursed be Canaan" (ibid., 9:25). Therefore, "Wine and strong drink you shall not drink."