Wine Reveals Character and the Sin of Harming Oneself

"And the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma" (Genesis 8:21). Rav Hanina said: anyone who is appeased in his wine has in him something of the knowledge of his Maker, as it is written, "And the LORD smelled the aroma." Rav said: anyone whose mind is settled upon him in his wine has in him something of the knowledge of seventy elders. Wine [yayin] was given in [the numerical value of] seventy, and secret [sod] was given in seventy: when wine goes in, secret goes out; but this one, since his secret did not go out, is reckoned the equal of a Sanhedrin of seventy. Rav Hanina bar Pappa said: anyone in whose house wine is not poured out like water is not within the category of blessing, as it is said, "And He shall bless your bread and your water" (Exodus 23:25). Just as bread is bought with second-tithe money, so too these [items] that are bought with second-tithe money; and Scripture calls it water? if it is not poured out in his house like water, there is no blessing. Just as a person is liable for damage to his fellow, so he is liable for damage to himself. One who tears out his hair, rends his garment, breaks his vessels, scatters his coins in his rage is exempt from human laws, but his judgment is handed over to Heaven, as it is said, "And surely your blood, of your own lives, will I require" (Genesis 9:5). Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: one who tears out his hair, rends his garment, breaks his vessels, scatters his coins [in his rage]? let him be in your eyes like one who serves idols, for if his impulse had said to him, Go serve idols, he would have done so. For such is the craft of the evil inclination.