RABBI WEIN PESACH THOUGHTS

We usually think of Purim as being the Jewish holiday of the year that represents the opposites of human existence. It is also thought of as being a time of wine and whatever else accompanies the consumption of that alcoholic beverage. But surprisingly enough Pesach also fits that template of opposites and wine consumption. We are all familiar with the rabbinic law that ordains the consumption of four cups of wine (the more fainthearted amongst us use grape juice, if necessary) during the course of the Pesach seder. In that there is a striking example of the opposite attitudes that Judaism often introduces in contrast to general society. Most of the human race drinks wine in order to forget, to blot out troubles and cares and obliterate disturbing memories of the past.