Why does the Torah insert here the Parshah of Avodah after drinking wine?
Seforno: Refer to 10:1:1:2*.
Hadar Zekenim: To teach us that, although one gives wine to other Avelim, 1 Kohanim are forbidden to drink it before entering the Ohel Mo'ed. 2
As the Pasuk writes in Mishlei 31:16 "T'nu Sheichar le'Oveid ve'Yayin le'Marei Nafesh".
Da'as Zekenim: Wine brought death and curses to the world, exile to the ten tribes, and leads to awesome Aveiros - as the Torah write in Ha'azinu Devarim, 32:32 "Anavemu Invei Rosh Ashkelos. Ashk'los Meroros Lamo." It is therefore appropriate for Kohanim not to drink wine before serving in the Ohel Mo'ed. Moshav Zekenim: This is the only Pasuk in T'nach that begins with the wor "Yayin" - because it brought lamenting to the world -. Nadav and Avihu had drnk wine, and the Pri Etz ha'Da'as was grapes..
What are the implications of "Yayin ve'Sheichar Al Teisht"?
Rashi and Ramban #1 (both citing Kerisos, 13b): It implies that a Kohen may not drink wine in a manner that intoxicates 1 before performing the Avodah. It does not include other intoxicants. 2
Targum Yonasan, Ramban #2 (citing the Rambam) and Moshav Zekenim: "Sheichar" incorporates all intoxicating beverages.
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim citing the Sifra: This precludes wine that has been diluted, or if one pauses whilst drinking a Revi'is.See also Torah Temimah, note 15, who elaborates.
Which we learn from a Gezeirah Shavah "Sheichar-Sheichar" from Nazir, in Naso, Bamidbar, 6:3.
If ?Sheichar? incorporates other intoxicating beverages, why does the Torah need to insert ?Yayin??
R. Bachye (citing the Sifra on Tehilim): To teach us that the Chiyuv Miysah is confined to wine and does not extend to other beverages.
What is the underlying reason behind the prohibition against drinking wine before performing the Avodah?
R. Bachye: Because of its potency ? inasmuch as it causes a person to become tired, to become conceited and to become confused. 1
See R. Bachye who explains how all three reasons are hinted in the current Parshah and who goes on to discuss the damage that excessive drnking causes.
What are the implications of ? ? u?Vanech Itach be?Vo?achem el Ohel Mo?ed??
Ramban, R. Bachye and Moshav Zekenim, (citing the Sifra): It confines the Isur to performing the Avodah 1 in the Heichal 2 or on the Mizbe'ach after having drunk wine. 3 Entering the Heichal S'tam is only Asur mi'de'Rabbanan. 4
R. Bachye: And the word ?be?Vo?achem? pertains to the twenty-fout Mishmaros of Kohanim who come to serve on a weekly basis. Each group is forbidden to drink wine during the week that they are on duty, exclusively. See R. Chavel?s footnotes.
Ramban: Though according to the Rambam, it is only the Chiyuv Miysah that requires performing the Avodah; the La'av applies even the moment the Kohen enters the Mikdash. Refer to 10:9:4.1:1*.
What does the Isur of entering the Ohel Mo'ed or approaching the Mizbe'ach after drinking wine entail?
Ramban and Moshav Zekenim, (citing the Sifra): It entails actually performing the Avodah in the Heichal 1 or on the Mizbe'ach after having drunk wine. 2 Entering the Heichal S'tam is only Asur mi'de'Rabbanan. 3
Though according to the Rambam, it is only the Chiyuv Misah that requires performing the Avodah; the La'av applies even the moment the Kohen enters the Mikdash (Ramban).
Which Avodos are invalidated through the Kohen drinking wine?
Why does the Torah insert "Atah u'Vanecha Itach" before "be'Vo'achem el Ohel Mo'ed"?
Sifra: To teach us a. that the Kohen is Chayav even if he drinks wine bfore exiting the Ohel Mo'ed and b. that the same Din applies to a Kohen who drinks wine before approaching or leaving the Mizbe'ach. 1
Sifra: Though he is only Chayav Misah if he drinks wine and performs the Avodah. See ha'Torah ve'ha'Mitzvah, 37. Refer to 10:9:4:1***.
Why does the Torah add the (otherwise superfluous) word "Atah u'Vanecha Itach"?
Sifra: "Itach", 'be'Domin lach'. It is only a Kohen who is KAsher like Aharon, who invalidates the Avodah if he enters the Ohel Mo'ed or who approaches the Mizbe'ach, but not if he is a Chalal (Pasul li'Kehunah) or a Ba'al-Mum. 1
It is not however, clear, why this D'rashah is necessary, since the Torah explicitly writes "be'Vo'achem el Ohel Mo'ed".
What are the ramifications of "Chukas Olam le'Doroseichem"?
Zevachim, 17b: It teaches us that the Chiyuv Misah for performing the Avodah after drinking wine applies to all generations 1 (to Nov Giv?on Shiloh and Yerushalayim ? R. Bachye).
And the same sapplies to performing the Avodah without washing hands and feet and without wearing the four Bigdei Kehunah ? in connection with which the Torah also writes "Chukas Olam".
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that only wine is forbidden. What is the difference between wine and other intoxicants?
The Moshav Zekenim leaves this question unanswered.
