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

[strange-selkie.livejournal.com]

I do not recall the name of the (overlarge pamphlet) but the Stein, Brandeis' campus bar, received a copy from the state because at the time, people under 21 were the bar's staff. Self included. We were all required to read it and sign saying that we understood; it listed simplified -- un-legalese -- 'You Must' statements of the drinking laws and had the Great Seal of the Commonwealth on the front, along with a fun color section in the back showing various ID's from various states.