Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Our Rabbis Respond
Should smoking be banned by Jewish law?
If they knew then what we know now … There is absolutely no doubt at all in my mind that, had the risks and dangers of smoking been known to the rabbinic scholars who codified operative Jewish law centuries ago, they would have prohibited the habit. Not only that, they would have done so with concern for the smokers as well as for the benefit of those who might be exposed to second-hand smoke. The Torah’s imperative to protect life is well established and without compromise. Most communities understand that eating is allowed on Yom Kippur, example, for a patient whose life would be put otherwise at unnecessary risk by fasting. It is codified that a circumcision (brit milah) is postponed beyond the eighth day if the baby’s health so demands. Most any habit or avoidable risk that jeopardizes good health is at odds with Jewish practice. Our faith and its theology have always been among the leading voices proclaiming the sanctity of life. Promoting a healthier environment is an issue where diverse faith and spiritual communities can and should create alliances.
Rabbi Yitzchok Adler
Beth David Synagogue
West Hartford
(Orthodox)
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2005/12/05/news/news08.txt
Should smoking be banned by Jewish law?
If they knew then what we know now … There is absolutely no doubt at all in my mind that, had the risks and dangers of smoking been known to the rabbinic scholars who codified operative Jewish law centuries ago, they would have prohibited the habit. Not only that, they would have done so with concern for the smokers as well as for the benefit of those who might be exposed to second-hand smoke. The Torah’s imperative to protect life is well established and without compromise. Most communities understand that eating is allowed on Yom Kippur, example, for a patient whose life would be put otherwise at unnecessary risk by fasting. It is codified that a circumcision (brit milah) is postponed beyond the eighth day if the baby’s health so demands. Most any habit or avoidable risk that jeopardizes good health is at odds with Jewish practice. Our faith and its theology have always been among the leading voices proclaiming the sanctity of life. Promoting a healthier environment is an issue where diverse faith and spiritual communities can and should create alliances.
Rabbi Yitzchok Adler
Beth David Synagogue
West Hartford
(Orthodox)
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2005/12/05/news/news08.txt
Comments:
This is a g'zeiara she'ain hatzibbur yochel la'amod bo, and thats why R' Moshe Feinstien did not aser it, as brought down in his teshuvos.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: December 08, 2005 9:03 AM
: December 08, 2005 9:03 AM
Reb Moshe ztl only paskened that way because he did not know then the full ramafications that are known now about smoking. There is no single rabbi rov or doctor that wil tell you that there is no major health risk by smoking.And second hand smoke is ten times worse. Ain yachol Lamod bo does not apply to getting yourself killed.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 08, 2005 9:52 AM
: December 08, 2005 9:52 AM
The reason why it ts not banned is because of the number of addicted rabbis.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 08, 2005 1:01 PM
: December 08, 2005 1:01 PM
Firstly, there is no posek so widely accepted that his decision that smoking is assur would make an impact. Secondly, it is davka in orthodox circles where smoking remains pervasive and acceptable- especially among the young - walk outside the shteibel between mincha and maariv.
Have you seen the advertisement in an israeli newspaper showing an havdolo candle, besomim and a pack of cigarettes? It's there.
Have you seen the advertisement in an israeli newspaper showing an havdolo candle, besomim and a pack of cigarettes? It's there.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 08, 2005 3:28 PM
: December 08, 2005 3:28 PM
Second comment above:Reb Moshe ztl only paskened that way because he did not know then the full ramafications that are known now about smoking
I love people like you who just know what rav moshe knew or not and what he was thinking... That is his pesak whatever your mind adds to it, keep to your self.
I love people like you who just know what rav moshe knew or not and what he was thinking... That is his pesak whatever your mind adds to it, keep to your self.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 08, 2005 3:55 PM
: December 08, 2005 3:55 PM
The rabbis probably wouldn't have banned it in talmudic times, for much of the same reason that it can't be banned today - - - because making smoking forbidden would be placing a stumbling lock in front of the blind. all these otherwise good yids would suddenly be branded as sinning.
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Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2005 8:52 PM
: December 11, 2005 8:52 PM
