Ask Rabbi LJ -- Odd Halachic Question

[gnomi]

OK, so WFNX has "King Without a Crown" by Matisyahu on pretty heavy rotation for the past couple of weeks. On Friday, when Julie Kramer played it, she pondered in passing whether marijuana was at all popular within the Chassidic community. I did a brief search, but other than finding references to a teshuvah by R. Moshe Feinstein, I couldn't find much.

So, I ask...is there any Chassidic rabbi who has ruled on the use of marijuana?

Comments

[zsero.livejournal.com]

Not that I'm aware of.

RMF's letter contains a lot of misinformation; his source probably didn't know anything about it either. The arguments he gives against it are quite weak, and apply just as much to alcohol. And in any case, in chassidic circles RMF isn't really seen as quite the authority that he is in the Yeshivish world.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

And in any case, in chassidic circles RMF isn't really seen as quite the authority that he is in the Yeshivish world.

That had been my impression, yes.

So have no chassidic sources ruled on marijuana? Or is it not even seen as an issue one might rule on?

[zsero.livejournal.com]

There may well be, but I don't know of any.

[donovanstitch.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt that any personal experience he may have had with illegal drugs came about as the result of a teshuva, psak, or other official sanction of any kind. Lubavitch (with whom he is reportedly affiliated) sanctions no such thing.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Dina d'malchuta dina, so a USian rabbi wouldn't be likely to condone it in a psak. But that's just based on emotion, not actual relevant knowledge.

[kressel.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm Kressel Housman, wife of Mordechai Housman. I think I met you and your sister about 9 years ago at Arisia.

I'm no expert in halacha, but Ha Rav Moshe Feinstein ZT"L is held in high esteem in my Hasidic circles (Stolin), so his psak is good enough for us. Where's the teshuva?

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Hello! Amazing how paths cross again after a few years. We met at Arisia also, though my last name was different then. Glad to hear that you and Mordechai are doing well!

[kressel.livejournal.com]

BS"D

Elka Tova, how nice to see you again! I friended you just now!

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I'm flattered that you remember! I'll friend you back, as well... it'll be nice to be in touch again. Please give our regards to Mordechai, too! (Or at least my regards... I don't think he's met my husband.)

[queendeb.livejournal.com]

my friend gidon
once asked that shila when he was in yeshiva
and the rabbi's answer
was dina de malchutah, dina
...at which point
gidon announced he was from amsterdam...