The party’s over

An old friend of mine coined the phrase “cylindrical tubes of coolness” to describe cigarettes.  He was right, they are cylindrical, and smokers are cool, but the obvious health risks should be enough to discourage anyone with a brain from smoking.

What shocks me is how prevalent smoking is in Charedi circles.  As far as I know, Charedim are not immersed in American pop culture, or are a part of the chic Euro-disco crowd.  So like, if you don’t like the Doors and you never saw a poster of James Dean – why start?

It seems now the Charedi establishment (at least one group) is taking a definitive stand against smoking:

Jews are not allowed to smoke, and they are required to observe a healthful way of life, said Rabbi Moshe Shaul Klein, rabbi of Bnei Brak’s Ma’ayanei Hayeshuva Medical Center and representative of the halacha committee of one of the city’s leading rabbinical arbiters, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner.

Although I do have a lot of sympathy for the plight of today’s smokers (kicked out of bars, offices, and in some states their cars!), I think that ultimately this statement is a good thing.  Hopefully it is a first step to bringing a healthier lifestyle and health awareness to the whole of the Jewish community.

July 10th, 2008 Jewish Issues