The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

I decided to go for a walk the other day and passed a spot which not only sells alcholic beverages, it actively promotes consumption of alcohol as a more effective way of dealing with mental health than conventional therapy.

I have no problem with anyone attempting to make an honest living, however, I do have a problem with those who promise relief with false claims and quick fixes to serious issues.

Alcohol consumption- and certainly with friends can be enjoyable in moderation and with the proper recognition of the impaired cognitive abilities alcohol consumption causes.

However, to outright claim, “Drinking With Friends is Better Than Therapy”, is not only incorrect, it’s outright cruel and dangerous.

All of us live with challenges which we face on a daily basis.

All of us have our particular “demons” which we struggle with.

And all of us are tempted constantly with these particular struggles.

Yet, promises of enjoyable escapism from our problems, while it may offer a temporary hiatus from our challenges, never deals with the problem nor offers any solution to the issue at hand.

Why then would anyone post a sign, “Drinking With Friends is Better Than Therapy”?

Does’t any thinking person knows that it will not grant you any long term relief from your issues?

Perhaps the answer is that we crave for quick fixes. Especially those that are enjoyable and offer immediate gratification.

However, as the saying goes, “No Pain, No Gain.”

This is true in Elul as we approach Rosh Hashana and plan and daven for a good year. A year of Shalom both for the individual and the Klal.

However, how do we attempt to be worthy of a better year?

As with drinking, too often we look for quick fixes for our spiritual inadequacies by making a nice trip or outing to a cemetery or requesting a quick and enjoyable promise from a human being.

There is a valid and respected practice in Judaism of petitioning great individuals, be they alive of not.

Sometimes a L’Chaim with a friend can be enjoyable and perhaps even jumpstart a path forward towards self-improvement.

Yet, never forget that just as drinking with friends will never solve your issues, so too, never make the mistake that any easy attempt at dealing with spiritual issues in any manner other than genuine Teshuva Tzedokah and Tefilla will never offer true and long lasting solutions to our spiritual challenges.

I think you know what I mean.