Is it Permissible to Smoke on Rosh Hashanah?

Greetings,

According to most poskim, in our times it is prohibited to smoke on Yom Tov, therefore it is not permissible to smoke on Rosh Hashanah. However, the opinion of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, zt"l, is that there is allowance to smoke on Yom Tov in our time. Of course, aside from the issue of smoking, according to doctors today, it poses a danger and causes numerous ailments that threaten a person's health, and one who wishes to protect their soul should distance themselves from it (Chazon Ovadia Yom Tov, p. 34).

Additionally, it should be noted as mentioned in the poskim, that even according to those who permit smoking on Yom Tov, it is advisable to refrain from smoking on Rosh Hashanah due to "fear of judgment".

Sources: See Meta Ephraim (Siman 497, Seif 1). Also in the responsa of Teiarut Teshuvah (part Orach Chaim, Siman 230), it is stated about his father, the renowned Rabbi the Ktav Sofer, zt"l, who was careful not to smoke on Rosh Hashanah due to fear of judgment, and cited in Responsa Yabia Omer, part 5 (Orach Chaim, Siman 39, note 3, end of the comments). Similarly, the renowned Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, zt"l, did so (Orchos Rabbeinu, part 2, p. 116). Additionally, see in the book Netei Gavriel Rosh Hashanah (Chapter 22, note 13) which mentions that also the revered Rebbe from Lubavitch, the Maharash, warned against this. Furthermore, the renowned Rabbi Yaakov Kanievski, zt"l, likewise acted in this way (Orchos Rabbeinu, ibid).

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs