The Torah (or “Old Testament” in the Christian faith) says nothing explicitly about marijuana. While medical marijuana was deemed kosher in 2013 by Orthodox rabbi Efraim Zalmanovich (recreational use is still forbidden), the plant’s classification as a kitniyot (grains and legumes prohibited during the Jewish festival of Passover) has forced devout Jews to give up medical cannabis during the 8 days of Passover. However, after rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was shown marijuana leaves and told they “smelled medicinal,” he ordered that the plant be blessed, and now medical marijuana is kosher for Passover.
As reported by The Times of Israel, the 88-year-old rabbi, born in Belarus and currently living in the Tel Aviv District, has said that medicinal cannabis can be consumed by Jews of all backgrounds during Passover, making medical marijuana kosher 365 days a year. As it is not an issue in Israel, the rabbi was not asked using weed for medical purposes in places where it had not yet been legalized.
When is Passover?
The first officially-sanctioned 420-friendly (for medical purposes only) Passover began on Friday, April 22. Lasting 8 days, it ends on Saturday, April 30. During this time, observant Jews abstain from consuming chametz — which includes, but is not limited to, yeast and any food containing yeast — and will even remove all traces from their home during Passover. The marijuana plant was included in this group until this most recent decree.
For the Jewish people, Passover (or Pasach) celebrates the story of their biblical ancestors’ exodus from slavery as Moses lead them out of Egypt. It is one of the most widely-celebrated of the Jewish holidays.
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Who is rabbi Chaim Kanievsky?
The 88-year-old rabbi Kanievsky, who made the pro-medical marijuana declaration prior to Passover, was born in Pinsk, Belarus. His father, uncle, father-in-law and other extended family members were also rabbis. He currently resides in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv-Yafo in the Tel Aviv District.
Kanievsky is considered a leading authority on Jewish law, and has published works specifically related to Jewish agricultural laws (although medical marijuana was not a part of that work). He also works alongside Belev Echad, a charity dedicated to the welfare of the disabled and the sick. For those with a prescription, Kanievsky said pot can be consumed by either smoking or eating during the Jewish holiday.
Medical marijuana laws
While not legalized for recreational use in Israel, there are certain conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease and cancer) for which the symptoms can be treated with marijuana. Now that it has been blessed by an Orthodox rabbi for Passover, anyone in Israel with a prescription should feel free to smoke kosher marijuana during the festival.
Jews observing Passover in the United States must contend with the fact that medical marijuana is still technically illegal at the federal level, while more and more states are pushing for legalized medical marijuana. Pennsylvania recently became the 24th state to legalize medicinal marijuana. For an Orthodox Jew in a city like Denver, the state law allows them to smoke recreational or medical purposes. Rabbi Kanievsky, however, did not give his blessing to recreational pot use.
[Photo credit Uriel Sinai / Getty Images]
Pot Is Kosher For Passover — Medical Marijuana Blessed By Orthodox Jewish Rabbi is an article from: The Inquisitr News
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