What does the Torah say?

[mjterry87]

What does the Torah say about Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking? I know that Yeshua says that drunk people will not go to heaven, but what does the Torah say? And what is the Jewish view on the subject?

[iitb]

Something to consider as far as smoking goes: If we are not to kindle a fire on shabbat, that would also include not lighting a cigarette. How many smokers do you know that can go 24 hours without a cigarette?

[Henaynei]

According to T'NaKh drinking, even strong drink is ok, in fact some of the sacrifices are to be given with strong drink and in at least one place we are encouraged to drink - just not drunkiness (i.e. the habitual/enslaving state of being drunk)

Drugs (i.e. mind altering or what today might be called "recreational" drugs) are realted to pharmekia - devination/witchcraft - and all forms of witchcraft are forbidden

Aside from Justin's point about striking a fire on Shabbat to s,moke (a very good point) the only prohibition against smoking I could see is the drug (nicotine - which is a mind altering drug - albiet mild), the habitual and thus enslaving nature of the drug and the deliberate shortening of one's life and health.

[mjterry87]

Something to consider as far as smoking goes: If we are not to kindle a fire on shabbat, that would also include not lighting a cigarette. How many smokers do you know that can go 24 hours without a cigarette?

Good point :wave: