Q&A: Reducing the Number of Transgressions One Stumbles In
Reducing the Number of Transgressions One Stumbles In
Question
A teenage boy from a traditional family background has become stronger in his observance, and in general he keeps the commandments and observes the Sabbath, but he smokes on the Sabbath because “it’s hard for me, brother.” Is there something that can or should be done to get him to smoke fewer cigarettes? Talking doesn’t help. Are there activities one can do, like inviting him for a meal, and thereby cut down the time a bit and automatically gain something? Is there value in that, and is there an obligation to do it? On the one hand, the heart urges me to act. On the other hand, it feels Sisyphean and ridiculous, like drying out a bathtub with a roll of toilet paper. May the Rabbi guide us in the path of righteousness, and may his reward be doubled from Heaven.
Answer
I think he should be strengthened in general, and the cigarettes should be ignored. Let him go study Torah and be careful with the commandments. Maybe the cigarettes will go away on their own. Alternatively, it would be worthwhile to work on quitting cigarettes altogether, unrelated to the Sabbath. Convince him that it’s a waste of time and harmful to his health. There are materials for that that can be found, and there are places that deal with smoking cessation.
Discussion on Answer
Rabbi, what do you think of my suggestion?
I don’t think one should give a person advice on how to reduce transgressions.
What do you think about asking him to leave a 24-hour memorial candle burning from Sabbath eve, so that he can light his cigarettes from it (as on a Jewish holiday)?
That also reduces the number of desecrations, and it also reminds him with every cigarette and maybe pricks his conscience.