Why do we say L’Chaim!
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ShareThe reason behind the custom to say this when taking alcohol
Source: Compiled from the footnote on Esther (8:17) in my commentary of Megillas Esther Explained by Yisroel Dov Levene (Mosaica Press).
The Custom
Many Jews have the custom by the Friday night meal to have an alcoholic drink after the fish course and before drinking it say, "L'Chaim".
The Question
The word "L'Chaim" means "to life". Why is this word said when drinking alcohol?
Background information
The source stems from what was done to people who had been sentenced to death by Beis Din. They would give the convicts alcohol so that they should not be so aware of what was happening to them before dying (Gemora Sanhedrin 43a).
The Answer
Therefore, when we give out alcohol, we give it together with the word L’Chaim, "to life", meaning to express that this drink of alcohol is coming for the purpose of life and enjoyment and not the opposite! (Brother of the Maharal in the Sefer HaChaim)
If you enjoyed this, there are many more fascinating information in other footnotes to my commentary entitled Megaillas Esther Explained.
