His misfortune is his advantage TB Taanit 17

Only God knows when the third Temple will be built. Until modernity the Jewish people prayed for our redemption coupled with the rebuilding of the Temple and the resumption of the sacrificial cult. Daf TB Taanit 17 discusses the wine intake for the priest who were on duty in the Temple.

“The Sages taught: For what reason did they say that the members of the priestly watch are permitted to drink wine at nights but not during the days? They said this lest on a certain day the Temple service becomes burdensome for the members of the patrilineal family, and the members of the priestly watch are called to come and assist them. Therefore, it is prohibited for them to drink wine during the day, when their help might be needed, so that they do not enter the Temple after drinking wine.

“The baraita continues to explain the reason for the mishna’s ruling. For what reason did they say that the members of the patrilineal family may not drink wine, neither by day nor by night? Because they are constantly engaged in the Temple service.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The discussion continues whether these rules still apply today even though the Temple is destroyed and no sacrifices are offered up. Some sages believe they do for at any moment the Temple could be rebuilt. Nevertheless, common sense wins the day.

“Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: I say that in accordance with this reasoning it is prohibited for any priest to drink wine at any time, even if he knows his priestly watch, as the order of the watches might change when the Temple is rebuilt, or perhaps all the watches will participate in the rededication of Temple. However, what can I do, as his misfortune is his advantage (תַּקָּנָתוֹ קַלְקָלָתוֹ.)? The unfortunate fact that so many years have passed since the destruction of the Temple means that this decree prohibiting the priests from drinking cannot be sustained. Abaye said: In accordance with whose opinion do priests drink wine nowadays? It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.”  (Seffaria.org translation)

There are many explanations for the phrase “his misfortune is his advantage (תַּקָּנָתוֹ קַלְקָלָתוֹ)” The Goanim understand that the very fact that the Temple is destroyed is the great misfortune allows7 priests to drink wine all year-round. Rashi and others explained that the misfortune is the great amount of time since the destruction Temple has elapsed and that the rebuilding of the Temple doesn’t appear to be imminent. This is the reason for allowing the priests to drink. Rambam and others explain that the misfortune is the fact that priests no longer no when their tour of duty in the Temple would take place. Priests cannot not offer up sacrifices until the court of priests sort things out and determine which priestly watch and patrilineal family they belong to.