11:2). Why did they praise these volunteers? Rabbi David Kimhi (the Radak ) explains that it was difficult to get settlers to go to the Holy City, where the air was stale, whereas the countryside, which has plenty of space, is good for one’s physical health (Radak , Mic. 5:10).
Smoking: Danger to Others
While we discuss the dangers of industrial smoke and other dangers to quality of life, we should consider reducing the hazard of tobacco smoking on the nonsmoker. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein , one of the foremost Orthodox decisors of this last century, forbade the widespread practice of smoking in yeshivot. He prohibited smoking if it disturbed others who were studying in the same room, whether or not it was injurious to their health. He rejected the argument that smoking helped students concentrate. He ruled that leaving the study hall to take a puff outside would be time stolen from the study of Torah (bitul torah) and dismissed the contention that, since the room is already full of smoke, each smoker adds only an insignificant amount. Rabbi Feinstein replied that each smoker is responsible for his portion of the smoke in the room and therefore for the discomfort of all those present who suffer from his habit.!* Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg of the Israel Chief Rabbinate Council went a step further and forbade a person to smoke in his own home if the smoke would bother or harm his guests or members of the family, especially children who might be present.’
Between a Person and Oneself(The Inner Environment)
Smoking: Danger to the Smoker
Much has been written about the dangers of alcohol and forbidden drugs. Today we know that the most severe health issue is the great harm that smokers cause to themselves.
The late Sephardi chief rabbi of Tel Aviv , Rabbi Hayyim David Halevy, was asked the following question: A youngster wished to know whether he must obey his father, who sent him out to buy a pack of cigarettes, because of the commandment “Honor your father and mother.” Rabbi Halevy responded: