The Torah commands us, in Parshas V′eschanan:" Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently" (Devorim: 4, 9). The Gemara explains (Trachtate Sh′vous, 36), that a person who curses himself is considered as one who harms himself, and transgresses the commandment "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently."
The Gemara clarifies that even a curse is considered harmful to a person, and from this we derive that it is forbidden -even more so- to cause actual harm to oneself. Our bodies were given to us as a lodgment from Hashem, and we are obligated to care and protect them and not destroy them. Every individual is obligated to take care of his health and make sure that his body does not get injured.
Smoking is a perfect example of actual harm that one is forbidden to cause. Smoking causes lung diseases, including malignant diseases. In our times, we are able to see tangibly how smoking cigarettes destroy the lungs. One can clearly see the dead lung cells in a fluoroscope or chest x-ray. The cells were burnt and died from the cigarette smoke.
Today it is impossible to find even one single doctor in the entire world who claims that smoking isn′t harmful.
Heart disease can also be caused as a result of smoke. The smoker inhales smoke to his lungs, and the ash mixes into the blood and liquids. The contaminated blood then penetrates the heart through the veins and slowly clogs the heart′s main artery. When the artery becomes completely clogged, a heart attack occurs immediately. Even if the patient survives the heart attack, his health is compromised, and he will never be as strong as he was.
Smoking can also cause a stroke. The smoke seeps in through the veins and arteries leading to the brain, which become clogged with the passing of time. This blockage can cause a stroke and paralysis.
Shlomo HaMelech asks in Koheles (7, 17): "Why should you die before your time?" In Israel, smoking kills 10,000 people yearly. One who is aware that smoking is detrimental to his health and continues smoking, transgresses a Torah commandment.
When we hear about a terrorist attack – G-d forbid- where people were killed, we are all terribly pained. That is a proper reaction, since every single Jewish soul is an entire world. According to the statistics, we see that smoking kills very many more victims than myriad terror attacks. How can we remain complacent and apathetic while this killer smoke fells thousands of victims every year?
Smokers must squelch their desire to smoke. Those who are able to should decide right now to quit smoking, and stick to their resolution. Those who need help and guidance should go to their local rehabilitation center and get help in kicking this fatal habit.
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