By Rabbi Binyomin Radner.
Background. The Gemara, Megilah 7b states, אמר רבא מיחייב איניש לבסומי בפוריא עד דלא ידע בין ארור המן וברוך מרדכי” “Rava said, “One is obligated to get intoxicated on Purim until he does not know Arur Haman from Baruch Mordechai.” The Gemara then relates the incident in which Raba and Rabi Zeira were conducting their Purim meal together when Raba became so intoxicated that he went ahead and ‘slaughtered’ Rabi Zeira. The next day Raba prayed on behalf of Rabi Zeira, and he was miraculously resurrected.