By Liba Shaffer

I’m writing with a broken heart — a piece of which has been missing for 19 years, and will remain missing until Moshiach comes.

In honor of my father, Gedaliah Yirachmiel ben Michel, whose 19th yahrtzeit is י״ז אדר, I am begging you:

Please make sure no one in your life drives drunk this Purim — or ever.

It does not matter how well you know the person. It does not matter if they “seem fine.” If someone is planning to get into a car after drinking, step in. Take away the keys. Call for help. Call Hatzoloh. Call the police if you must.

My father was killed by a drunk driver.

Please don’t let anyone else in Klal Yisroel ever have to say those words.

The picture below is from one of his last Purim seudos. He would make a l’chaim, but he almost never got drunk. And on the rare occasions he did, we were privileged to hear his deepest Torah and Chassidus.

May we celebrate Purim with simcha — and with responsibility.