OHR SOMAYACH'S ASK THE RABBI 
Issue #270 March 4, 2000 
Parshat Vayakhel
=====================================
In this issue:
DOWN IN SMOKE
CHI-KI
YIDDLE RIDDLE
PUBLIC DOMAIN
=====================================

DOWN IN SMOKE

From:  Smokeless in Switzerland
<Email@Withheld>

  Dear Rabbi,
  It is common knowledge that smoking endangers one's life.  On the
  other hand "pikuach nefesh" -- saving a life -- is one of our
  guiding principles.  I have never heard of any rabbi who banned
  smoking.  Is there a reason why?  Thank you for your answer.

Dear Smokeless,
Originally, the dangers of smoking were not fully known, and smoking 
was accepted.  As the dangers of smoking become more and more clear, 
less and less observant Jews smoke.	

Maimonides writes:  "It is impossible to understand and to perceive 
the knowledge of the Creator when one is sick; therefore a person must 
distance himself from things destructive to the body, and to conduct 
himself in those things that are strengthening and therapeutic."

Most halachic authorities -- including Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the 
"Chafetz Chaim"), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and Rabbi E. Y. 
Waldenberg -- forbid smoking.  Recently, Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner of 
Bnei Barak reportedly issued a ban against smoking, adding that even 
if a person can't restrain himself, it is nevertheless prohibited to 
smoke in the vicinity of others because of the harmful effect of 
"secondary smoke."

As we go to press, leading rabbis in Israel including Rabbi Y. S. 
Elyashiv, Rabbi A.L. Steinman, Rabbi S. Auerbach, Rabbi N. Karelitz 
and others have issued a ban on beginning to smoke and a directive for 
those who smoke to gradually reduce their smoking to the goal of 
stopping completely.  They also prohibited smoking in public places.
	
Sources:
* Maimonides, Hilchot De'ot 4:1
* Chafetz Chaim, Likutei Amarim, Ch.13 (circa 1920)
* Responsa Tzitz Eliezer

************

CHI-KI

From:  L. Froehlich in Gaithersburg, MD
<eeyah@aol.com>

  Dear Rabbi,
  Several years ago, I took a class in Aikido, one of the eastern
  martial arts.  Like its counterparts, Aikido is premised on the
  concept that a "force"-- in this case known as "ki or "chi"-- flows
  through the body and the universe and can be focused by a person to
  use, for example, in personal defense.  Is this concept of "ki" (or
  "chi") inconsistent with mainstream Jewish belief?  In other words,
  can a Jew believe in one G-d and also accept the idea that there is
  an unseen energy flowing in the universe and through one's body that
  can be tapped with proper training?  (After all, there are other
  unseen forces and things in the universe that do not seem to
  conflict with Jewish belief, e.g., gravity, electromagnetic energy,
  cosmic rays.)  Is there any analogous concept in Judaism?

Dear L. Froehlich,
I'm not an Aikido expert, but I do have a black belt in Judo-ism.  
Ahem.

Before I answer your question, I would like to say that I find martial 
arts truly amazing.  I mean, people with years of training in martial 
arts can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst 
movies in history.

Now to your question:  The idea there can exist such a force as you 
have described is not inconsistent with mainstream Jewish belief, as 
long as you believe that this force, like all forces, is created by 
and controlled by G-d.  I think your analogy to gravity is a good one.

Is there an analogous concept in Judaism?  Perhaps the analogous 
concept is "ruach Elokim," a Divine "wind" or spirit, which gives a 
person extra-human powers, strengths and abilities.  This is the power 
to which the Bible attributes Samson's source of strength.

But Judaism also has a the concept of "ruach tumah," an impure "wind."  
This force also lets a person tap into powers, but is detrimental to 
one's spiritual state.
 
Another point to consider is that some Eastern disciplines involve 
what we consider idolatrous practices.  For example, bowing to the 
room, bowing to the force, or "talking to" the force.  We are not 
allowed to make requests of spiritual forces, only to G-d.

In conclusion, believing in the existence of such a force can be okay, 
while the way one relates to that force can border on idol worship if 
done incorrectly.

=====================================

YIDDLE RIDDLE

One day, Sam decided to go into real estate.  His first, ill-fated, 
attempt at acquisition was a very small plot of land, only one meter 
square, in the middle of Jerusalem's Highway One.  Sam, never one for 
bureaucratic details, by-passed all red tape and permit application 
and simply set about with his plans to build right in the middle of 
the busy road.  As a result of these actions, Sam eventually found 
himself brought before a Beit Din (Torah Court).

It may come as a surprise to you, but the court found that, in regard 
to the case at hand, Sam was considered the owner of the plot of land.  
How can this be?

Answer next week

=====================================

THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features

Re:  "Oh What a Good Jew Am I" (http://ohr.org.il/ask/ask268.htm#Q2):

Much enjoyed your response to "David" who asked if he was a "good Jew" 
despite various transgressions.  It reminded me of a eulogy delivered 
by Rabbi Kenneth Hain of Lawrence, New York, for a  young man who had 
left the "derech hayasher" (straight and narrow) and was openly living 
a life opposed to Torah values.  When this young man died of AIDS, 
some in the community allowed their tongues to wag derisively.  Rabbi 
Hain reminded the community that in our tradition, when we hear of a 
death we recite the blessing "Baruch Dayan Emet" -- we bless the True 
Judge, the Judge in Heaven.  And He is the only Judge.  We on earth 
cannot judge anybody's life or worth.
                                       Jerry Kowalski
                                       <ishkow@aol.com>

Anyone interested enough to contact a Jewish website like 
www.ohrnet.org should be encouraged and praised for that alone, and 
for any efforts he is making, not a flippant answer from you that his 
actions leave room for improvement.  Why not focus on the positives 
this person presented?
                                       Ellen Appelbaum
                                       <sajappel@aol.com>

I found your reply to the question "Oh what a good Jew am I" very 
profound.  I'm still shaking my head.  I can't remember when I last 
heard such wisdom.  I am thrilled to be a part of your connection.
                                       Lloyd Kahan
                                       <gangus49@ptd.net>

Marriage: (http://www.ohr.org.il/judaism/articles/wedding.htm)

Just wanted to say yashar koach (great job) for your "Wedding 
Ceremony" page.  It's so clear and beautiful, exciting, etc.  I send a 
lot of people to this page, and they just love it!  May we all share 
this simcha and all of our simchas. 
                                       An Ohrnet.org reader
                                       <choil15@aol.com>

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