A Strange Halakhic (sort of) Thought

[debka_notion]

So there's a general principle in halakha (Jewish law) that the law of the land is the law. (Dina d'malchuta dina, I think- I don't know Aramaic, so this is just what I remember a teacher telling me it was in high school. It was Rabbi Eli I think.) So, why do the orthodox/observant (pick the word of your choice) folks drink underage? If they're so stringent about other aspects of the law, why break one that's pretty easy to follow? SOmehow I'd think this would be a more common idea.

Note, this is not intended to be a criticism of anyone in particular- just a thought.

Comments

[belu.livejournal.com]

IANAL, but...

The drinking laws are not that black and white. IIRC, there are exceptions of "in private, under parental supervision" and "for religious purposes". I suspect that the drinking you mention here falls under one or both of these exceptions.

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Umm- what do you acronyms stand for?

These folks are at college- I Don't think there's any parental supervision there. And as for religious purposes- I can think of one religious purpose for drinking, and that can be done just as well on grape juice. I'm thinking of what are effectively parties with alcohol but just no music/turning on of lights that are often held on Friday nights. I can't see any permissible exception for that.

[belu.livejournal.com]

IANAL = I Am Not A Lawyer
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

I dunno. I'm sure you know the laws and people in question far better than I do.