Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
1) Letter of Rebbe in 1953
Original Takanah Shmini 1963
Igros Kodesh (Vol. 7, page 58 – free
translation):
"In
my opinion, the current situation differs from the situation of previous
generations, when it was a widespread custom to drink mashke in
abundance, in two ways:
a)
The ability is now given to Anash, through the availability of numerous
basic maamarim and sichos which the listeners can understand, for
their conduct to be inspired without the need for much mashke; just a
little will suffice.
b)
Since in most recent times we are all required to spread the wellsprings of
Chassidus outward, there is the possibility that an overabundance of mashke
could greatly interfere…
My
first statement is supported by something I once heard from the Rebbe, my
father-in-law, in Riga, who said, "Ich bin itzter (and the meaning
of ‘itzter’[now] was not for that time only, but for those years
since then, when they began to minimize the consumption of mashke) vi
noch a bisele mashke." (I am now as though after a little mashke.)
The Chassidim are drawn after the Rebbe, my father-in-law, and his intention in
saying that he is now as though after a little mashke is to instruct all
the Chassidim and give them the ability to be in that condition."
Original Takanah Shmini 1963
Mashke is mous - repulsive --Rebbe Rayatz
Even kiddush should be on wine and you should not finish who cup.
Even kiddush should be on wine and you should not finish who cup.
2) On Chukas 1991 the Rebbe said it is a 'decree' not to drink more then four.
3) Yechidus with Zalman Jaffe
During
another yechidus before leaving, Reb Zalman presented the Rebbe with
five bottle of “mashke” (an alcoholic beverage) that the Rebbe could
distribute at a farbrengen. The Rebbe asked him “at which one.” He
replied “Any one. It is for the Rebbe to give to whomever he wishes.”
The Rebbe asked “Is it from Manchester?” “No,” Reb Zalman replied, “from
me. Surely the Rebbe can find some deserving person or cause to whom to
give the “mashke.”
The Rebbe admitted that he had stopped giving “mashke” at the farbrengen because “it gout out of hand.”
Reb Zalman told the Rebbe that though he appreciates receiving from the Rebbe’s cake, the “mashke” lasted longer and was easier to distribute back in Manchaster, as the cake became hard and stale after a week.
The Rebbe wanted to know if there were any special reason that he had brought five bottles.
Reb Zalman replied: “Not really, but the U.S. Customs allows us to bring in five bottles free of duty.”
“What will I do with five bottles,” asked the Rebbe.
“Take them home,” Reb Zalman replied.
“But I don’t like vodka,” answered the Rebbe.
The Rebbe then thanked Reb Zalman for coming to see him. “Mr. Jaffe, I thank you for coming to see me!”
The Rebbe admitted that he had stopped giving “mashke” at the farbrengen because “it gout out of hand.”
Reb Zalman told the Rebbe that though he appreciates receiving from the Rebbe’s cake, the “mashke” lasted longer and was easier to distribute back in Manchaster, as the cake became hard and stale after a week.
The Rebbe wanted to know if there were any special reason that he had brought five bottles.
Reb Zalman replied: “Not really, but the U.S. Customs allows us to bring in five bottles free of duty.”
“What will I do with five bottles,” asked the Rebbe.
“Take them home,” Reb Zalman replied.
“But I don’t like vodka,” answered the Rebbe.
The Rebbe then thanked Reb Zalman for coming to see him. “Mr. Jaffe, I thank you for coming to see me!”
3) No Mashke on Simchas Torah
See Sicha Noach 1967
See Sicha Balak 1984
4) Not My Shliach - Applies to older adults as well
In 1965 the rebbe said if you over drink you are not my shluchim and the rebbe says this applies to everyone even older adults
See link for source:
5) Tikun for over drinking
Rabbi
Aharon Eliezer Tzeitlin adds: The significance attributed by the Rebbe to the
observance of the takana of mashke is proven by the following
story – in which I was directly involved.
When
I was learning in yesihiva in Montreal, a few Tmimim, including myself,
made a farbrengen (in the winter of 5733 [1973]) and drank 4 big
cups of mashke – not within the Rebbe’s limit. When the mashpia,
R’ Yitzchak Meir Gurary, found out about it, he called me over and asked,
"How could it be that you transgressed the g’zera like that? Didn’t
the Rebbe say that whoever transgresses the g’zera cannot go on shlichus?"
The words entered my heart because our whole ambition was to merit to be a shliach
of the Rebbe, and here I was endangering my shlichus myself. Therefore,
immediately at the first opportunity I wrote to the Rebbe and requested a tikkun.
I went to 770 close to Yud Shvat, and when I came to the secretariat, Rabbi
Binyomin Klein gave me an answer from the Rebbe about the note I had written:
"He should learn 3-4 maamarim of my father-in-law by heart; at the
very least, the contents. Askir al ha’tzion."
I
immediately asked (through the secretary) if I am ready to go on the shlichus
of the Rebbe to Australia. [At that time, the Rebbe chose the ones who went and
asked them for their consent.] As you know, the answer was in the affirmative.
It
seems to me that perhaps all of this (asking for a tikkun, etc.) restored
my z’chus at the last minute to go on shlichus.
See link for source:
6) Rabbi Manis Friedman discusses what happens if you say no L'chaim
7) Forum on this topic
