LA MESA, California — In Jewish law, there is a general requirement to observe the civil laws of the land in which one lives when they are not in contradiction with Jewish law. Therefore, in addition to whatever Judaism says about marijuana, Jewish law demands an obedience to the authority of civil law. If it’s illegal to possess or use marijuana, it’s also against Jewish law. Since we live in California, the civil law and Jewish law are both in agreement that it is legal to possess and use marijuana.
According to myjewishlearning.com: The Talmud understands from a Hebrew phrase v’rapoh yerapeih “he shall provide for his healing” which goes into depth about treating pain even if there is no healing benefit. This was later extended stating “despite a general negative approach to marijuana use, it may be used for medical and pain management purposes; this is no different than narcotics or pain medications.
Naturally occurring drugs like cannabis, mescaline, psilocybin “magic mushrooms” which have been used for sacramental purposes for many moons have had benefits to health conditions.
Exodus 30:22 is translated in the Stone version of the Tanach as “G-d spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Take yourself spices — stacte (myrrh), onycha (aromatic shell or resin) and galbanum (gum resin) — spices and pure frankincense: These shall all be of equal weight, thoroughly mixed, pure and holy.’
Another translation renders the ingredients as “choice spices of myrrh, fragrant cinnamon, aromatic cane, cassia and olive oil.” Aromatic cane in Hebrew is kaneh bosem, which may be the origin of the word “cannabis.”
Some have suggested that the incense that the high priest burned in the Temple on Yom Kippur may have been psychoactive. Others have noted that the acacia trees that the Israelites took with them to Egypt contained DMT, an immensely powerful psychedelic compound. However in 2020, cannabis residue was found on the Israelite sanctuary altar at Tel Arad in Israel’s Negev Desert which suggests that cannabis was a part of some Israelite rituals at the time.
An excerpt from “The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov,” reads: “After teaching for a short while, the Baal Shem Tov [founder of the Hasidic movement] lit his pipe and smoked meditatively to prepare for prayers. Every action and movement of the holy Baal Shem Tov was intentional and for the service of God. Even his pipe-smoking was accompanied by kabbalistic meditations, and the smoke that rose from his pipe was like the smoke of the incense that was burned on the altar in the Temple. Indeed, throughout the day, whenever he wanted to ascend to the higher worlds, he smoked his pipe; and each time he puffed, he went from one world to another. After the prayers that morning, one of his disciples said, “I wish I would have the paradise that our master acquires from smoking one pipe of tobacco!”
Is Cannabis Kashrut? According to myjewishlearning.com: If smoked, under normal circumstances there is no reason cannabis would not be kosher, although some rabbis apply this only to medical cannabis, not recreational usage. On Shabbat and holidays, smoking cannabis would be forbidden because lighting fires is prohibited. If cannabis is “eaten”, as cannabis edibles are, there may be small insects inside which are not kosher, so it is recommended to only use brands that are certified as kosher.
According to thetablet.com: In December 2023, the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, a body related to Conservative Judaism, issued the first ruling on cannabis use, finding “overwhelming halachic support” for medical cannabis, and some support for non-medical use as well.
From Florida to Oregon, there are many International Jewish Cannabis Associations, these organizations have hosted Cannabis-Seders and the Weed Bar in Los Angeles has organized a number of Havdalah, Shabbat and Chanukah parties. Also in Los Angeles, edible providers like Mitzvah Herbal cater to observant Jews who are looking for medicated goodies using kosher ingredients or are seeking an alternative to smoking on Shabbat.
The typical thought is like alcohol, it is okay to drink but in moderation. Drinking for the purpose of getting drunk is not typically a good reason. Using cannabis for the purpose to get high typically is not a good reason. If you gain medical or health benefits, then it is okay to use.
*
Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World.
Thank you for an informative and interesting evening on a subject that really can help others. This is 2025, not 1985.
Very informative article Cailin. Thank you for that.
Thank you! It was fun to research and was happy to bring this topic up. Everyone had a good time.