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Baruch Busted For Blow |
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by Emily Goldsher, November 19, 2009 |
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Gawker reports that English rabbi Baruch Chalomish is on trial for allegedly selling drugs, having been charged with running a "commercial cocaine-supply operation" alongside his partner, Nasir Abbas. The original story in the London Times says the Rabbi "set up in business as a drug dealer and lavished his supplies of cocaine on young prostitutes at parties", behavior that isn't exactly a Kiddush HaShem.
Judging from the photo of him below, you'd never guess he was such a team player. Sure, Chalomish and Abbas were selling coke and soliciting hookers, but what really matters is that they were doing it together. Who says there's no hope for Jewish/Arab relations?!
The Questioner
Now this question may sound jaw-droppingly stupid, but as an aspiring Conservative convert, I must ask: Are frum folks---especially rabbis---allowed to smoke? Somehow I'd always assumed that smoking tobacco was treif, at least among the frum community.
Not that this is the most profane thing Chalomish has done, but still---you know?
veganesther
sad but true. here in my beloved monsey i see adult males underemployed( ie. learning) smoking. Smoking while their wives take jobs and leave infants to the care of others so that thier husbands can learn all day. I see them outside the local 7-11 smoking. they smoke because their rabbis smoke. like wearing fur hats.
amoung thinking enlightened jews smoking is frowned upon.