Is Getting High a Sin? What the Torah Actually Says About Marijuana & Psychedelics

Shalom Aleichem Chevra, welcome back! Is getting high actually forbidden by Torah — or is the answer way more nuanced than what you were told growing up? In this shiur we sit down with one of the most fascinating teshuvos in all of halacha — Rav Moshe Feinstein's responsa from the Igros Moshe on the prohibition of smoking herbs. The question was originally brought to Rav Moshe by someone whose grandfather was connected to the very yeshiva where some bachurim had gotten ahold of hashish (mei javana, in case you didn't know), and Rav Moshe's very first instinct as a posek is telling. He doesn't just say yes or no — he lays out a careful, reasoned argument backed by serious Torah sources, and we go through each one together. We cover Rav Moshe's main reasons one by one. First, the issue of bodily harm — and the fascinating move he makes when someone says 'but I'm a strong, healthy guy.' Second, and this is the big one the Chevra really needs to hear: the problem of losing daas, losing consciousness. A Jew's entire mission is to be in a state of heightened God-awareness all day. Mitzvos done without proper kavana are like mitzvos not done at all. If something is pulling you out of that state, that is a serious Torah problem — and Rav Moshe lays out exactly why. We also bring in a beautiful sara from Rav Meir on the whole concept of bechira chofshis, free will, and why choosing to chemically remove your own free will is one of the most ironic things a person can do. Then we get into Rav Moshe's second major reason: the munchies. And yes, he is literally talking about the munchies. He connects this overwhelming, uncontrollable ta'ava directly to the concept of the Ben Sorer U'Moreh from the Torah — the rebellious son who starts with uncontrollable appetite for meat and wine and spirals from there. We also discuss the distinction between recreational use and medicinal use throughout, because Rav Moshe's reasons are specific, and as we say clearly — some of these reasons apply to everyone, and some are genuinely person-and-case specific. We're building up the full sugya layer by layer, and the discussion on psychedelics is still coming. If this shiur got you thinking, drop a like and share it with someone who needs to hear the real Torah take on this topic. ---------------------------------------------------------- 🔹Join Rabbi Moshe Chaim's Exclusive Content Sign up here 👉    / @chevraravmoshechaim   🔹Join Rabbi Moshe Chaim's Private Chizzuk Group Sign up here 👉 https://subscribepage.io/join-the-chevra 🔹Visit the Website 👉 https://www.ravmoshechaim.com/ 🔹Newsletter 👉 https://ravmoshechaimchevra.substack.... 🔹Discover Beautiful Sacred Art 👉 https://bit.ly/chevra-art 🔹Join us in Yeshiva - in Jerusalem! APPLY HERE👉 https://foundations.aish.com ---------------------------------------------------------- #Torah #Judaism #Halacha #Spirituality #RavMosheFeinstein #IgrosMushe #BenSorerUMoreh #FreeWill #TorahAndLife #RavMosheChaim #Chevra #AishHaTorah