Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, president of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, has warned his followers of the dangers of smoking, and stressed the importance and plausibility of quitting if one is already addicted. “Doctors are against smoking; they say it causes lung cancer. Whoever can refrain from it, all the better; he should take every effort to keep away from it,” the senior Sephardi adjudicator said in his Saturday night televised sermon, which dealt with the laws of Jewish holidays.
“A person who is used to smoking – it’s hard to quit, but [he] should distance himself from it a step at a time,” he continued.
“My father-in-law, Rabbi Avraham of blessed memory, used to smoke two packs a day.
I told him our holy books say it is a danger. He said, ‘What can I do? I’m used to smoking.’ I told him to gradually cut down in the cigarettes. When he reached 10, he said, ‘I can’t go down any more,’” he said. Read more in Jersualem Post.
so easy to say, so hare to do. after 35 years of smoking i finally quit, i used chantix, 3 months and i quit like i never smoked, that was 3 years ago, i did it for alot of reasons, but i did it for myself, my family, i can tell people to stop, but it has to come within, you are the only one who can do it. when one is ready they will find the strength to do it.
“rav” ovadia yosef. please! respect!
In my mind,, destroying your body,, which was made in the image of hashem is worse than breaking shabbos, or eating non kosher. So if you are so machmir about the shape of your esrog and the size of your yarlmulkah, you have NO excuse for smoking a single cigarette. End of story.
What is TLS obsession with smoking? You never pass up a smoking article, very strange.
Read the book “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr.
End of story
to “S” #4. A person who smokes is damaging himself (1st hand smoke) and others (2nd hand smoke). This is something the Torah demands we protest. It’s not an obsession it’s Halacha Limasseh. One has to gaurd his health and the health of his fellow Yidden.
I wish everybody would take this to heart – so many people really damage themselves, ruin their lives, their family lives – it is very careless – i know it’s hard – Kids – PLEASE DON”T START!!!
I think that the girls should be taught the dangers of smoking so that they refuse to go out with bachurim that smoke.
Yes. You shouldn’t smoke. However, I feel that if a bocher smokes, its ok. Bots today have almost NO kosher releases. They can’t go to a ballgame, or play pool, or go bowling or skiing etc. So after learning 10 hrs/day, what should they do ? Yes, they should be careful not to become addicted, but overall its no big deal.
the bachurim smoke after they meet the girls. They drink after they meet there inlaws. If you want to really quit there is a pharmacy in Jackson next to the commune that has a great stop smoking package. it worked for me and I smoked two packs a day
@9
Smoking is not a kosher release. Not even occasionally. I have not heard of any halachot that would prohibit bowling. It’s clear to me which is preferable. Boys should go bowling rather than smoke.
Better than drugs. No question about it.
The girls don’t have much of an upper hand to begin with… They are lucky to get a date period.
to #9. Sorry pal I totally think you missed the point. Ask Dr. Shanik if it’s ok for bochurim to smoke!!! Rav Moshe ZTL said it’s forbidden to start and refers to those that do it as fools. The Chofetz Chaim Berated a person for allowing himself to get addicted to cigarettes. As for a kosher outlet would you allow them to eat pork because they need a outlet. Yes we are soo good with our “FRUM/Crum image that we deprived them way too much. Giving them poison (cigarettes is NOT the answer. By the way, wich Torah authority made all these bans you spoke of????
Read the book “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr.
End of story”
HA. this book is so effective that i quit smoking ten times!!
i dont know whats the big deal with smoking, i know alot of ppl w bigger problems , they overeat which is a much, much bigger issue than smoking
It’s easy for non smokers to comment here. You do not know how hard it is to give it up. It’s not an excuse for starting but it can be real hard. We all have our issues in life. Some maybe ruchni and others gashmi.
That being said it’s been 6 months since I have had a smoke and I still miss it. No question that I made the right choice. If your having trouble quitting picture your young son saying kaddish over your grave.
Finally a blog from the Sefardic side!
I think that the girls should be taught the dangers of smoking so that they refuse to go out with bachurim that smoke.
Yeah, that’ll do wonders to fix the shidduch crisis.