Jewish drugs
After a brief introduction to the topic of drugs (perhaps by reading the first 3 paragraphs of this chapter, or by one of the trigger 'games' suggested) highlight alcohol as being one of the 2 biggest causes of drugs problems in the world. Tell them the following true story (honest):
'In 1986 in the States, David, a Jewish 17-year-old boy, was stopped for speeding on an interstate highway. After failing a breathalyser test, David was arrested for drunk driving. At a preliminary court hearing, David's lawyer pointed out that he had no previous record for any offence and therefore the judge should be lenient. The judge asked David how his parents felt, to which David replied that they were very angry and disappointed with him. He then added that as a Jewish family, they often drunk wine together as part of Jewish ritual and custom. They had wine on Shabbat each week when making kiddush and during havdallah; they always drank 4 cups of wine at the Pesach seder meal; and even the Rabbi would drink quite a few glasses of whiskey in the synagogue on Purim.. 'I know that what I did was wrong Your Honour' said David, 'but I only started drinking in observance of my religion.' The judge - who was not Jewish - was shocked, adjourned the hearing and announced that he wished to study the matter further.'
Depending on how long you have, you could now do one of a few things. If you are using this for a regular assembly, start off by asking for a quick show of hands to indicate who thinks David was right (that Judaism does encourage drinking). Then ask for a few volunteers (get them before the start to save time) to read a few of the Jewish sources about alcohol. Now do another show of hands to see if anyone has changed their mind.
Finally finish with the what the judge said when the trial reconvened a week later: 'After consulting with a range of Jewish scholars in the local community, the judge ruled that there is no basis in Judaism for any claim that excessive alcohol consumption is encouraged. He discovered that Jewish tradition limits alcoholic consumption to fixed times and settings, and then solely for specific religious purposes. The judge learned in fact, that Jewish tradition condemns alcohol abuse as unhealthy, demeaning and contrary to Jewish values. The judge was not too harsh on David as it was his first offence. However, he warned him that any future violation would be taken very seriously. The judge added that perhaps David should study his Jewish tradition more carefully, because if it really had an effect on his behaviour like he said it did, he probably wouldn't have found himself in this situation.'
So what would my Rabbi say?
Start by seeing if anyone knows the law on a few drugs (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana are probably the easiset to start with). Be prepared with the correct facts (many are in this chapter). Then ask what does Jewish law say about drugs in general. Read out the section on Jewish Law in this chapter and see how that matches people's assumptions. The 2 main points to highlight, are that Jewish law forbids anything that we know will harm us, and that anything that is illegal in the country where we are living, becomes illegal in Jewish law (unless it contradicts Jewish law).
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