[Avodah] Gettin Drunk on Purim

[harveybenton at yahoo.com]

RWolberg: 
We know that certain things are said tongue in cheek. Many things that  
are written are not to be taken literally, and I believe this is one  
of them.  I find it hard to accept that one will be taken to task and   
punished because he didn't get drunk on Purim.

HB: The exact loshon found in the Gemarra (Megillah 7B) >>MeChayev Inish LeVsumei BePuria<< is brought down in Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 695:2) and Kitzur SA (142:6).  Kitzur SA Prefaces the Gemmara's Loshon by >>Chiyvo Raboteinu Zichronam Livracha LeHishtaker Bayayin.... so, while the meforshim debate the exact applicabity and obligations re: Getting Drunk on Purim, to say that the Gemmara's statement was made tounge in cheek (and not as a tzivuey) I believe is incorrect and a misnomer. 

Further, immediately following the Gemarra's statement re: Getting Drunk on Purim, comes the episode of Rabbah and R. Zeira, followed by another chiyuuv discussion.  Namely, that one does not fulfill his obligation for a seudah if it is done at night.  If the obligation to get drunk on Purim was made tounge in cheek, then why not say the same thing about that obligation?  (read: not consistent).
HB
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