"You know, it's a funny thing, Every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob? What is the matter with them? I suppose it is because most of them are psychiatrists."
—President Richard Milhous Nixon
Marijuana in the Torah? In Holy Spaces?
(כט) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹקִ֗ים הִנֵּה֩ נָתַ֨תִּי לָכֶ֜ם אֶת־כָּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב ׀ זֹרֵ֣עַ זֶ֗רַע אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י כָל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־כָּל־הָעֵ֛ץ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֥וֹ פְרִי־עֵ֖ץ זֹרֵ֣עַ זָ֑רַע לָכֶ֥ם יִֽהְיֶ֖ה לְאָכְלָֽה׃
(כב) וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר ה' אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ (כג) וְאַתָּ֣ה קַח־לְךָ֮ בְּשָׂמִ֣ים רֹאשׁ֒ מָר־דְּרוֹר֙ חֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת וְקִנְּמָן־בֶּ֥שֶׂם מַחֲצִית֖וֹ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמָאתָ֑יִם וּקְנֵה־בֹ֖שֶׂם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמָאתָֽיִם׃...(כו) וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ ב֖וֹ אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְאֵ֖ת אֲר֥וֹן הָעֵדֻֽת׃...(כט) וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֣ אֹתָ֔ם וְהָי֖וּ קֹ֣דֶשׁ קָֽדָשִׁ֑ים כָּל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהֶ֖ם יִקְדָּֽשׁ׃ (ל) וְאֶת־אַהֲרֹ֥ן וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖יו תִּמְשָׁ֑ח וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם לְכַהֵ֥ן לִֽי׃
(22) God spoke to Moses, saying:
(23) ’Take thou also unto thee the chief spices, of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty, and of sweet cane (kaneh-bosem) two hundred and fifty....
(26) And thou shalt anoint therewith the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony....
(29)And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy; whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
(30) And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto Me in the priest’s office.
(א) אין עושין פתילה לנר של שבת בין נר שעל השלחן בין כל נר שמדליק בבית מדבר שהאור אינו נאחז בו אלא נסרך סביביו והשלהבת קופצת כגון צמר ושער וכיוצא בהם אלא מדבר שהאור נתלה בו כגון פשתן נפוצה ובגד שש וצמר גפן וקנבוס וכיוצא בהן.
"One should not make the wick for a Sabbath lamp, whether it is the lamp on your table or any lamp that you light in the house... from something that the light does not come from the wick itself... for example wool, hair, etc... but rather from that which the light comes from the wick itself for example flax, cotton... or Kanebos."
("It is best to observe the law strictly with Cannabis if this is possible" -Eliyah Rabah)
Is is technically "kosher?"
Because of marijuana’s clear medical benefits, the Orthodox Union, which has rejected kosher certification requests from cigarette and e-cigarette manufacturers on health grounds, “would not have a problem certifying” medical marijuana, Elefant said.
Marijuana is a plant and therefore kosher certification is not necessary for the cannabis itself. But in New York State, where companies are vying for up to five licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana, patients will not be allowed to smoke pot, so they will have to ingest it in other ways — such as capsules, food or drinks, which will require kosher certification for Orthodox patients.
http://forward.com/news/215113/medical-marijuana-may-soon-get-kosher-stamp-of-app/#ixzz3dlQC4vbe
But how "kosher" is it really?
אמר שמואל דינא דמלכותא דינא
Shmuel said: The law of the kingdom is the law, i.e., Jews must obey the laws of the state in which they live.
אמר ליה רב לחייא בריה לא תשתי סמא ולא תשוור ניגרא ולא תעקר ככא ולא תקנא בחיויא
Rav said to Ḥiyya, his son: Do not get into the habit of drinking medications, lest you develop an addiction. And do not leap over a ditch, as you might hurt yourself in the process. And do not pull out a tooth, but try to heal it if possible. And do not provoke a snake in your house to try to kill it or chase it away.
What Would Moses Do? (that is, Rav Moshe Feinstein)
סימן לה
איסור עישון סמים
בע״ה. ב׳ דר״ה אייר תשל״ג
מע״כ מוה״ר ירוהם פראם שליט״א.
הנה בדבר אשר התחילו איזה בחורים מהישיבה לעשן חשיש (מעראוואנא), פשוט שהוא דבר אסור מכמה עיקרי דינים שבתורה, חדא שהוא מקלקל ומכלה את הגוף, ואף אם נמצאו אנשים בריאים שלא מזיק להם כל כך אבל מקלקל הוא את הדעת ואינם יכולים להבין דבר לאשורו, שזה עוד יותר חמור שלבד שמונע עצמו מלמוד התורה כראוי, הוא מניעה גם מתפלה וממצות התורה, שעשיה בלא דעת הראוי הוא כלא קיימם.
ועוד שהוא גורם תאוה גדולה אשר הוא יותר מתאות אכילה וכדומה הצריכים להאדם לחיותו, ויש שלא יוכלו לצמצם ולהעביר תאותם, והוא איסור החמור שנאמר בבן סורר ומורה על תאוה היותר גדולה שיש לו לאכילה אף שהוא לאכילת כשרות, וכ"ש שאסור להביא עצמו לתאוה גדולה
עוד יותר ולדבר שליכא שום צורך להאדם בזה שהוא אסור, ואף שלמלקות נימא שאין עונשין מן הדין מ"מ לאיסורא ודאי עובר על לאו זה ואיכא גם הטעם דאיכא בבן סורר ומורה שסופו שילסטם את הבריות כדאיתא בסנהדרין בפ' בן סורר (ס"ח ע"ב).
ועוד שהאב והאם של אלו שמעשנין זה מצטערים מאד אשר עוברין על מצות כבוד אב ואם. ועוד איכא איסור העשה דקדושים תהיו כפירוש הרמב"ן בחומש. וגם הם גורמים לאיסורים הרבה אחרים לבד זה, סוף דבר הוא פשוט וברור שהוא מאיסורים חמורים וצריך להשתדל בכל היכולת להעביר טומאה זו מכל בני ישראל ובפרט מאלו שלומדין בישיבות. והנני ידידו מוקירו, משה פיינשטיין.
והנני דידו מוקירו,
משה פיינשטיין
Igrot Moshe, Yoreh De’ah Vol. 3, Siman 35
Behold, with regard to certain yeshiva students who have begun smoking hash (marijuana), It is obviously forbidden to smoke marijuana, as this violates many basic laws of our Torah.
First of all, it physically injures the person. Even if there are people who are not physically affected by this, it mentally affects the person as it destroys his mind, and prevents him from understanding things properly. This is a terrible thing, since not only can the individual not properly study Torah, he also can not pray and properly perform Mitzvot (commandments), since doing them mindlessly is considered as if they were not done at all.
Furthermore, he is creating within himself a very strong desire (addiction), which is much stronger than the desire to eat, etc. which are necessary for a person to live. There are many that can not control and withstand this desire. This is a very grave prohibition, as we find that a Wayward and Rebellious Son [is killed] (See Deuteronomy 21:18) for creating within himself a very strong desire, even though it is to eat kosher food! How much more so it is forbidden for a person to bring upon himself an even greater desire, especially for something that a person does not need at all...
Additionally, the parents of the person smoking certainly pained by his actions, in which case he is violating the Mitzvah of Kibbud Av V’Em (honoring one's father and mother). He is also violating the Mitzvah of “Kedoshim Ti’Hiyu”(You shall be holy), as explained by the Ramban in his commentary on the Chumash (5 Books of Moses). This also leads him to transgress other prohibitions, besides the actual prohibition of taking drugs. The bottom line is that it is clear and obvious that this is one of the grave prohibitions, and everyone must try with all of their strength to remove this impurity (Tuma’ah) from all Children of Israel.”
Which of Rav Moshe's arguments make sense to you?
Which would you challenge?
What are the underlying values he brings up here, regardless of scientific validity, that can help frame our perspective on how to interact with drugs?
2 Jews, 420 Opinions
רבי טרפון אומר בורא נפשות רבות וחסרונן אמר ליה רבא בר רב חנן לאביי ואמרי לה לרב יוסף הלכתא מאי אמר ליה פוק חזי מאי עמא דבר:
Rava bar Rav Ḥanan said to Abaye, and some say to Rav Yosef: What is the halakha in this dispute? He said to him: Go out and observe what the people are doing and act accordingly.
Pot Politics: Marijuana and the Costs of Prohibition, Oxford Press, 2007
A 2002/CNN poll found that the percentages of people who “favor the legalization of marijuana” are as follows: total sample = 34%; Protestants = 20%; Catholics = 34%; Jews = 53%; “other” = 38%; and no religion = 54%.
Assuming marijuana is not legalized, percentage of people who prefer a fine to serving time in jail: total sample = 72%; Protestants = 67%; Catholics = 76%; Jews = 80%; Other religion = 70%; no religion = 82%
“Have you tried marijuana at least once?” total sample = 47%; Protestants = 34%; Catholics = 47%; Jews = 54%; Other = 54%; no religion = 61%
The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov
After teaching for a short while, the Baal Shem Tov lit his pipe and smoked meditatively to prepare for prayers. Every action and movement of the holy Baal Shem Tov was intentional and for the service of God, blessed be He. Even his pipe-smoking was accompanied by kabbalistic meditations, and the smoke that rose from his pipe was like the smoke of the incense that was burned on the altar in the Temple. Indeed, throughout the day, whenever he wanted to ascent to the higher words, he smoked his pipe; and each time he puffed, he went from one world to another. After the prayers that morning, Rabbi Gershon of Kitov said to a fellow disciple, “I wish I would have the paradise that our master acquires from smoking one pipe of tobacco!”
Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Marijuana & Judaism
Still, Judaism allows Jews to ingest many things that are not intrinsically holy as part of the effort to fulfill the responsibility to maintain a healthy body, mind and soul, and furthermore, as part of enjoying God's bounty, even when not directly related to matters of health...Whether using marijuana recreationally fits into that Jewish description of the nature and purpose of life depends on what its effects turn out to be. If it decreases pain in dying patients, then one not only may, but must, work to make it legally available to them. Thus, in sum, marijuana in and of itself is not inherently bad or good; it must be judged in terms of its effects in creating a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Commentary Magazine
God too is playing a game of hide-and-seek with himself and me. The psychedelic experience can be not only a challenge, but also a support of my faith. After seeing what really happens at the point where all is one and where God-immanent surprises God-transcendent and they merge in cosmic laughter, I can also see Judaism in a new and amazing light....The psychedelic experience can be not only a challenge, but also a support of my faith.
[LB NOTE: NEEDS VERIFICATION. Source Uncertain]
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
The only thing I want to add is that just as the use of wine has been sacralized in Judaism for Kiddush (and in the sacrificial offering on the altar) and sexuality has been sacramentalized with Kiddushin, powerful substances like cannabis also need to be sacralized. By contrast it is clear that alcohol and sex lacking the dimension of the sacred leads to abuse. Likewise the use of mind altering substances where not sacralized are bound to be leading to abuse.
(ג) כְּשֶׁהֶחָכָם שׁוֹתֶה יַיִן אֵינוֹ שׁוֹתֶה אֶלָּא כְּדֵי לִשְׁרוֹת אֲכִילָה שֶׁבְּמֵעָיו. וְכָל הַמִּשְׁתַּכֵּר הֲרֵי זֶה חוֹטֵא וּמְגֻנֶּה וּמַפְסִיד חָכְמָתוֹ. וְאִם נִשְׁתַּכֵּר בִּפְנֵי עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ הֲרֵי זֶה חִלֵּל אֶת הַשֵּׁם. וְאָסוּר לִשְׁתּוֹת יַיִן בַּצָּהֳרַיִם וַאֲפִלּוּ מְעַט אֶלָּא אִם הָיָה בִּכְלַל הָאֲכִילָה. שֶׁהַשְּׁתִיָּה שֶׁהִיא בִּכְלַל הָאֲכִילָה אֵינָהּ מְשַׁכֶּרֶת. וְאֵין נִזְהָרִין אֶלָּא מִיַּיִן שֶׁלְּאַחַר הַמָּזוֹן:
(3) When the wise drinks wine he partakes only enough to moisten the food in his bowels; but whosoever intoxicates himself is a sinner, contemptible, and brings about the loss of his wisdom. If he intoxicates himself in the presence of the uncivilized, behold, this one blashphemed the Name. It is forbidden to drink wine at noon, even a small quantity, save it be included in the meal; for, drink which is part of the meal is not intoxicating. However, no warning is needed, save from wine after meals.
Arthur Kurzweil, citing Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz in “On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz”
If you are the master, fine. If you are the slave, then you are in trouble no matter what you’re the slave of, whether it be coffee, exercise or Torah study.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24/7, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders
- For information and referral 24/7, call1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
- Contact Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in NYC: https://newyorkna.org/contact/
- The T'Shuvah Center (Summer 2019) in NYC, Beit Teshuvah in Los Angeles, BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy in CO
Some Notes on Marijuana from Loren’s “Drugs & Behavior” Class with Prof. Carl Hart (2010)
Four principles of psychoactive drugs
Drugs, per se, are not good or bad
Every drug has multiple effects
Both size and quality of drug’s effect depend on amount individual has taken
Effect depends on individual’s history and expectations (The higher the dose, the stronger the effects. The more tolerant one is, the weaker the effects)
Top 3 drugs in Drug-related emergency visits: Cocaine, Alcohol-in-combination, Marijuana
Top 3 drugs in Drug-related deaths: Opioids (not heroin), Cocaine, Alcohol-in-combination
Conditions marijuana has been proposed to treat: Reducing fluid pressure in the eye of a glaucoma patient; Reduce severe nausea caused by drugs used to treat cancer; stimulate appetite for AIDS patients, and as of today, 6/26/2018, two forms of epilepsy in children
Heavy users can experience cannabis withdrawal from abrupt cessation. Though it is not recognized by DSM, there is an abstinence syndrome. Symptoms include: Negative mood states (anxiety, restlessness, depression, irritability), disrupted sleep, decreased food intake, and sometimes aggressive behavior. It typically occurs 1 day after cessation and persists for 4-12 days depending on dependence level
Marijuana effects on cognitive functioning:
Temporary disruption while in effect: slowed processing, impaired short term memory and inhibitory control, loss of sustained concentration or vigilance, impaired visual-spatial processing.
Long term: In general, following a sufficient period of abstinence (>1 month), regular marijuana use appears to produce minimal effects on cognition as measured by standard neuropsychological tests. When not given an abstinence period, they will show some cognitive effects. With abstinence period, these effects disappear.
There is evidence that marijuana can precipitate psychotic episodes in those with psychiatric history (though little evidence that marijuana can cause the underlying psychotic disorders).