Smoking: A Jewish Perspective
Question (Sh’eilah)
May an observant Conservative Jews continue to smoke cigarettes in view of the fact that “cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health?”
Answer (Teshuvah)
Despite the fact that the Surgeon General’s advisory regarding the dangers of cigarette smoking is prominently displayed on every package of cigarettes, on advertisements, and on radio and television, smoking continues both in North America and abroad.
Judaism expresses attitudes and values which are relevant to the question of cigarette smoking. The preservation of health as a mitzvahis expressed in the Torah: “Take good care of your lives” [Deuteronomy 4:15]. This reflects the understanding that life is a gift, a privilege given to us by the Creator. We are bidden to guard, preserve and enhance our lives and the lives of others. To neglect our health – to willfully do something which can harm us – is an affront to the One who gave us life.
This idea is expressed most concisely in Maimonides’ Mishnah Torah: “The sages have prohibited many things because they endanger one’s life. If one disregards any of them and says, ‘I am only endangering myself; what business do others have with me – or I don’t care [if they are dangerous;] I shall use them,’ he can be subjected to disciplinary flogging” [Laws of Murder 11:4-5].
In his authoritative commentary to the Shulchan Arukh, Rabbi Moses Isserles (the Rema) writes, “One should avoid all things that might lead to danger, because a danger to life is stricter than a prohibition. One should be more concerned about a possible danger to life than a possible prohibition… and it is prohibited to rely on a miracle or to put one’s life in danger” [Yoreh De’ah 1165]. Rabbi Isserles’ concept is that just as an observant Jewish person would make sure not to eat anything about which there might be the slightest suspicion that is contains something forbidden, so that person should be even more careful about eating or taking into the body anything that might be dangerous.
Rabbi Isserles also implies that a person should not deceive him or herself into thinking that although others are harmed, he or she will escape the consequences through special merit or divine providence. One should not make such a presumption; it is a mitzvah to preserve the health of your body and spirit. Well-being is too vital to be risked.
Scientific evidence has now established beyond doubt that cigarette smoking is injurious to health and that non-smokers can be harmed by the smoke of those who use tobacco. It would follow that Jewish ethics and law prohibit the use of cigarettes. Smoking should therefore be discouraged in synagogues, Jewish schools and Jewish gathering places. Public rejection of smoking should help us to live longer and healthier lives. In doing so, we will be fulfilling our responsibilities to God and humanity.
