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On the basis of ethnographic evidences taken from two very different rituals, in terms of forms, cultural and religion contexts (the Jewish ritual of Pessah observed in Europe and the shamanic guru-puja ritual observed in Nepal), this paper aims at putting emphasis on the salient morphological, functional and symbolic contrasts not between rituals themselves, but between the modes of absorption of alcohol within these rituals. Drinking alcohol is taking place in both religious settings, and has similar effects on the biological and social levels. But it also assumes significant contrasts in terms of meaning and location in the liturgical scheme. This remark calls for prudence, when anthropology is attempting to framing broad theories on “alcohol and religion”.