BNEI BRAK (VINnews) — A Kol Koreh has been released by multiple Charedi Rabbanim in Israel, banning medical marijuana in many situations.
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The letter was published by two prominent Charedi Batei Din, the Bais Din of Rav Nissim Karelitz and Rav Shmuel Vosner.
In addition, it was signed by multiple other Israeli Rabbanim.
Here is a translation of the text:
Daas Torah Regarding Medical Cannabis
Because in recent times, there is a contingent of doctors who prescribe ‘medical marijuana’, including for mild illnesses, despite the fact that it is considered “samim” (a potent drug).
The Gedolei Yisrael have already paskened that using plants which are known as drugs is a Torah violation, regardless of the strength of the ingredients, whether light or heavy. Every type [of these drugs] is prohibited. Even using it occasionally, even one time, is completely prohibited. Using these drugs brings people to engage in more stringent sins of the Torah, and causes a person to lose his mind and abandon his Creator. In the end, it destroys one’s soul, Hashem yishm’renu.
Therefore we proclaim that even when doctors give patients “medical marijuana”, one is not permitted by halacha to take these drugs, unless it is at a minimum a safek pikuach nefesh (a possible life and death matter). One [who is in this situation] must ask a shaila from Rabbanim who have semicha from our communities, and not chalilah rely on doctors, because we are dealing with a Torah transgression.
Certainly, anyone who sells or deals [these drugs] to healthy people, is violating severe Torah prohibitions, and is considered “Machtiei Rabbim”.
I quote from the Rabbi’s letter but am replacing marijuana with hard liquor: “Using 0these hard alcohol brings people to engage in more stringent sins of the Torah, and causes a person to lose his mind and abandon his Creator. In the end, it destroys one’s soul, Hashem yishm’renu.” By the way, anyone know of a medical purpose for drinking alcohol ?
What does the mean for suffering cancer patients
sounds wako—but mashka is ok ? i dont take drugs and i have nothing agains mashka–this makes no sense
Alcohol is a much bigger problem that needs to be addressed before anything else. We have what has become known as “Shabbos alcoholics” (Monsey) which has ruined families dynamics from one Shabbos to another. Weed is not the problem alcohol is.
Once again I have never heard of these rabbis who claim to speak “Daas Torah” (whatever that means). At best, they simply offer their opinion on the matter. There may be other views.
I also note the illegitimate argument from authority: They claim to be the batei din of two men who are no longer alive. Don’t invoke dead people in support of your argument if they have said nothing you can quote on the issue.
my wife takes medical pot. I was against it at first, thinking that she is going to be addicted and high. But I was wrong. I
She has a condition that gives her much pain and this medical pot is really the only thing that takes away the pain and lets her live as a person.
There is a very big difference between medical pot and recreational pot. People and rabbonim should be aware of the differences.
It makes a huge difference for quality of life. It can make the difference between being able to eat independently and not being able to.
Very difficult to understand exactly what the Rabbonim are talking about:
For what conditions is it prescribed?
E.g.
– treatment of two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome;
– nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy;
– spasticity [tight or stiff muscles] from MS
What is the basis for this joint (no pun intended) תשובה?
Which doctors have been consulted about this?
Have these Rabbonim experience in answering Medical שאלות?
The expert פוסק on Medical שאלות in Bnei Brak has to be Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein. What does he say about this. Is this a topic covered in his 7 Volumes of שו”ת on Medical שאלות?
They should release letter banning Alcohol in Yashivas
So it’s better to use addictive strong pills with tons of side effects?
What do we know about the use of cannabis by ancient peoples?
But Rabbi Genack and his OU raiders give Hashgacha to marijuana and single malt liquor as well. Gotta make a dollar.
2010: Rabbanim were out of touch with internet usage by frum and banned it, to no effect.
2022: Rabbanim are out of touch with how many frum non-medical use weed users there already are (including American dirah dealerships) and this ban will similarly over 10 years just appear silly as it will be as meaningless as the internet ban.
Just stating the facts. I personally am very against weed use.
Please remind me ….
Which medical school did these “Rabanim“ graduate from?
Looks like they’ve gotten all the mileage they can out of the “lace sheitel“ issue , so they’ve moved on to some other headline grabbing topic.
When these self appointed arbiters of what is socially acceptable and what is not , make ignorant , uninformed, proclamations like this, No one should be surprised that they lose any legitimacy in the eyes of the average citizen, leading to violations of even excepted halachik rulings
Why dont we just ban everything. Cars, air conditioners, mattresses, tables, food, because they can all be used for the wrong purposes. Perhaps life should also be abolished because at some point we’re all gonna do something without utter perfection. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ISN’T A ONE SIZE FITS ALL POLICY FOR HUMAN BEINGS.
Many, or most, prescription drugs, are worse than Marijuana
Were these Rabbis shown a secret screening of the movie “Reefer Madness?” Perhaps all they know about cannabis comes from those who did.
I am sorry this letter is plain dumb as plenty of yeshiva people drink alcohol and smoke which is a form of drugs such as nicotine and Alcohol and don’t give me its legal therefore its allowed in certain situations. Well so is marijuana in many places now. Also, they should ban coffee while they are at it since it has caffeine in it.. Get real!
I don’t take drugs including alcohol. If you’re going to prohibit marijuana, you definitely have to prohibit alcohol. The problem is that you can’t because Torah teaches that alcohol is special. So basically drugs are permitted when the Torah specifically says they are, otherwise they are prohibited. The truth is that alcohol beyond the minimum required amounts is also prohibited. It’s definitely prohibited when used outside of a ritual setting. I would like to try to see them ban alcohol. Even Chabad, who would do anything their Rebbe zetsal said to do, ignore his edicts about drinking. Alcohol is a very powerful drug. Once again, I do not smoke marijuana, but it’s pretty much harmless in moderation. Obviously it’s harmful if abused. However it is much less addictive and harmful than alcohol. Unfortunately halacha has many rulings, especially in recent times, that are made without real knowledge of the subject by people who are basically not educated and isolated. The great Rabbi’s of old were highly educated in math and science. It was actually considered impossible to decipher Jewish law without being educated. I am sure they are well meaning and wonderful people. They are human though and do make mistakes.
Not even for treatment of pain where prescription pills can be more dangerous?
Moderation and balance
The use of medically prescribed cancer treatment drugs are one thing but look at what California’s doctors are now combating with cannabis over use
Someone who is in serious crippling pain but it’s not life threatening can’t take medical marijuana if it’s been working for them?
Now if they would just ban the c19 and other dangerous vaccines the same way!
Finally, a voice of reason in a world gone crazy. When medicine isnt enough, Doctors turn to weed as an admission of failure to relieve the symptoms of terrible diseases and even then most dont find the relief they need and end up refuse it. Dirty secret is that the family then sells it and its abused turning healthy children into addicts.