smoking Flashcards
(22 cards)
According to the law, list 6 public places where smoking is prohibited
- Enclosed halls used for public gatherings (lectures, performances, etc.)
- Hospitals and clinics
- Pharmacies
- Public libraries
- Educational institutions (schools and universities)
- Public transportation (buses, taxis, trains)
These locations are designated to protect public health and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.
What is required from someone who operates a public place in regard to preventing smoking?
They must post ‘No Smoking’ signs, monitor compliance, ask smokers to stop, take reasonable steps to prevent violations, and report offenders to the local authority.
This emphasizes the responsibility of operators to maintain a smoke-free environment.
Which question did halachic authorities expand the discussion on regarding smoking?
Whether an individual has the right to prevent others from smoking near them, even in non-public spaces.
This highlights the intersection of personal rights and public health in halachic discussions.
Explain the words of the Chafetz Chaim (Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan)
A weak person is forbidden to become addicted to smoking, as it harms their strength and can even affect their soul. A person must not damage their own body, which belongs to God.
This reflects the moral and spiritual implications of smoking according to Jewish teachings.
What are two reasons Rabbi Kagan gives for why one may not harm themselves?
- The Torah commands: ‘You shall guard your souls’ (Deut. 4:9)
- A person is God’s creation and servant; one is not permitted to harm the body entrusted to them.
These reasons underscore the religious obligation to preserve one’s health.
What is defined as ‘the number one killer of humanity’ and what damage does it cause (Rabbi Waldenberg)?
Smoking is described as the number one killer. It causes:
* Cancer
* Chronic bronchitis
* Emphysema
* Heart and blood vessel damage
* Stomach problems
* Can shorten life
This illustrates the severe health risks associated with smoking.
What reasoning about ‘common practice’ does Rabbi Waldenberg reject?
He rejects the idea that smoking is permitted because it is widespread (‘God protects the simple’).
He argues this does not apply once science has clearly proven the dangers of smoking.
What is the best way to avoid the harms of smoking?
To quit smoking entirely.
This is the most effective method to eliminate health risks associated with tobacco.
What are three sources Rabbi Eliezer Melamed brings for the prohibition of smoking?
- ‘Only guard yourself and your soul’ (Deut. 4:9)
- ‘You shall greatly guard your soul’ (Deut. 15)
- The Torah requires safeguarding from danger, like building a fence on a roof.
These sources emphasize the obligation to protect oneself from harm.
What additional prohibition is mentioned by Dr. Mordechai Halperin?
Smoking may also violate ‘You shall not murder,’ since it directly damages the body and shortens life.
This highlights the ethical implications of smoking in relation to life preservation.
What are two reasons to avoid smoking hookah (nargila)?
- The tobacco is still harmful and may cause cancer
- It often leads to further smoking habits
Hookah smoking is often mistakenly perceived as less harmful, but it carries significant health risks.
What is Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s opinion on passive smoking?
Yes, if smoke causes discomfort or harm, others must not smoke nearby.
This is based on Talmudic and halachic sources that forbid causing distress or harm, even unintentionally.
How is Rav Yosef described, and in what context is he mentioned?
He was highly sensitive (an ‘istinis’). In a case where others’ actions attracted crows that ruined dates, he ruled to stop them due to personal distress, even without major harm.
This illustrates the importance of personal comfort and sensitivity in halachic rulings.
Can a sensitive person be blamed for financial loss caused to the smoker?
No. A person’s sensitivity and health take precedence over someone else’s convenience or potential financial loss.
This reinforces the value placed on individual well-being over financial interests.
What is Rabbi Feinstein’s conclusion about smoking near others?
It is forbidden to smoke near others if it causes distress or harm.
This conclusion is based on halachic principles that prohibit even minor physical harm or emotional discomfort.
List 4 negative effects of passive smoking (Rabbi Waldenberg)
- Respiratory problems
- Coughing
- Bronchitis
- Lung inflammation
These effects emphasize the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure.
Why does the Rabbi say that even ‘established behavior’ (chazakah) is not valid in this matter?
Because no one is assumed to have accepted harmful effects like smoke; people naturally do not tolerate damage to their health.
This challenges the notion that long-standing practices are acceptable if they are harmful.
What is the connection between smoke and latrines in relation to this topic?
Both are examples of intolerable nuisances. Halachically, just like one can’t claim a right to cause a foul smell, one cannot claim a right to cause smoke exposure.
This analogy illustrates the unacceptability of inflicting harm on others.
How do medical discoveries help our discussion?
They provide clear evidence of the harms of smoking, strengthening the halachic prohibition and personal right to protest against it.
This emphasizes the role of scientific evidence in shaping moral and legal perspectives.
How far must a person distance smoke from others?
Enough so that it causes no harm or discomfort, as determined by experts or until smoke does not reach others.
This standard is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.
What moral reasons does Rabbi Melamed quote from the Chafetz Chaim to avoid smoking?
- Unnecessary addiction
- Bothering others with smoke
- Wasting time and neglecting Torah study
These reasons reflect the holistic impact of smoking on personal and communal life.
Briefly describe Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook’s letter about smoking.
He urged students to quit smoking out of respect for Torah study, harmony with others, and moral purity.
His heartfelt letter emphasizes the spiritual and communal responsibilities associated with smoking.
