A Cigarette or Bitul Torah
Question
Shalom u’vrachah. I am a yeshivah student learning in a certain yeshivah. Recently, a student in our yeshivah began smoking an electronic cigarette. Since I do not like it when students smoke, because of the danger involved and because of bitul Torah, I persuaded him with words to stop smoking. After much urging, he agreed to deposit the cigarette with me for two months and that I should not return it to him under any circumstances. However, after one month, the student approached me pleadingly and said that not having the cigarette is causing him bitul Torah. After checking into it, I found that he is indeed correct, and he is learning less now. The question is: should I return it to him since this is a case of bitul Torah, or should I not give it to him because of the obligation of “venishmartem” — to guard one’s health? Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah
If you had to buy him a cigarette, that would be a question. But now that the cigarette is his, give it to him, and he is the one who must ask and decide which consideration takes precedence.
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