Mishlei 20-01
Intoxication
Key Concepts
What drives a person to drink? Perhaps he is unconsciously seeking the reward of an elevated state of mind. In this state he has the impression that he is thinking more clearly with greater insight. The drink seems to free him from worries and concerns so that he can focus on more gratifying thoughts.
Because some of these benefits do in fact appear at first, a person can be easily misled into relying on the artificial promise of mood elevation. Unfortunately, this is only an illusion. After a time, the drink enthusiast loses entirely the clarity of responsible thought.
The addictive nature of alcohol has a subtle effect on the mind which the drinker is not even aware of. Not only does it distort his thinking, it distorts his behavior and he is no longer able to manage his life in his own self-interest.
A hidden effect of intoxication is the inability to take anything seriously. This is the characteristic mindset of the לֵץ, the scoffer. He no longer accepts the seriousness of the moral and ethical principles that are inherent in the creation of the world. He no longer feels the need to acknowledge his obligation to his Creator.
Exploring Mishlei
א = לֵץ הַיַּיִן הֹמֶה שֵׁכָר וְכָל שֹׁגֶה בּוֹ לֹא יֶחְכָּם
(1) The scoffer is a man of wine, but he calls out for even stronger drink;
and whoever revels in it will not grow wise.
This proverb begins by identifying the ultimate effect of wine on a person. The wine becomes an essential part of his character, a man of wine, and so he becomes a scoffer, who ridicules every serious idea.
The proverb reveals the addictive quality of wine by the fact that after a time the alcoholic is no longer satisfied with ordinary wine. He has become numb and now seeks the stimulation to be found in drink that is stronger and more intoxicating.
The proverb concludes by referring to the way the drinker fools himself. He may think of wine as a means for raising consciousness and thereby promoting perceptiveness. Mishlei advises that he is making a big mistake and the effect is the opposite of what he thinks. If he continues along the path that the wine is leading him, he will not grow wise.
Learning Mishlei
(1) The scoffer — לֵץ
is a man of wine — הַיַּין
but he calls out —הֹמֶה
for even stronger drink — שֵׁכָר;
and whoever revels in it — וְכָל שֹׁגֶה בּוֹ
will not grow wise – לֹא יֶחְכָּם.
Additional Insights
[1] The harmful effects of wine are multiplied when the drinking is done in a social setting of mockery that leads to further intoxication. (שבט מיהודה)
[2] An alternate interpretation of לֵץ הַיַּין is that “wine is a mocker” since it tricks him into revealing secrets and causing misery. (דעת סופרים)
[3] Wine has the effect of easing a person’s sense of responsibility and duty. It puts him in a frame of mind in which he finds humor in every situation and is tempted to mock serious people and their concerns. (רבינו יונה)
[4] Wine leads a person into stronger drinks, which ultimately can reduce him to animalistic behavior. (מלבי”ם)
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