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Police Crack Down on Drunk Driving During Boozy Jewish Holiday of Purim

 A police commander warned revelers to not drive drunk or serve alcohol to minors.
A police commander warned revelers to not drive drunk or serve alcohol to minors.
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Mario Tama/Getty Images

WEST ROGERS PARK — A police commander warned observers of the Jewish Holiday of Purim, which begins Wednesday, to not drink and drive or serve alcohol to minors.

The holiday, which ends Thursday evening, is focused on drinking — sometimes heavily.

From JewFAQ.com:

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination. 

...

We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry. According to the Talmud, a person is required to drink until he cannot tell the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordecai," though opinions differ as to exactly how drunk that is.

Rogers Park Police District Cmdr. Thomas Waldera distributed a notice to community members that additional patrols had been assigned to the West Ridge community to keep watch for drunken driving.

"If you suspect that someone has been drinking alcohol, by no means should you allow him to drive," Waldera said in the notice. "Never permit your children to get into a car that will be driven by someone who may have been drinking no matter how it may inconvenience you. ... By being aware of circumstances and taking a few precautions, we can have a safe and happy Purim."

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