Jewish communities approach cannabis during Hanukkah through a wide range of religious, cultural, and personal lenses, reflecting the broader diversity of contemporary Judaism. Rather than a single “Jewish view,” attitudes span from strict prohibition to cautious acceptance and even enthusiastic integration into holiday rituals.
From a halakhic (Jewish legal) standpoint, many Orthodox authorities remain wary of recreational cannabis. The classic responsum of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein from the 1970s is still frequently referenced; he argued that marijuana use is forbidden because it harms body and mind, encourages escapism, and conflicts with the commandment to “guard your life diligently.” Modern Orthodox rabbis often extend that reasoning, comparing cannabis to cigarette smoking, which leading halakhic bodies have strongly discouraged or banned on health grounds. During Hanukkah, when families gather around the menorah and children are present, these concerns about health, responsibility, and role modeling are especially pronounced.
Other voices distinguish sharply between medical and recreational use. In Israel, medical cannabis has been permitted for decades under regulated conditions, and several Orthodox rabbis have ruled that marijuana can be kosher and permissible when used to relieve suffering. Newer Conservative responsa similarly emphasize context, arguing that Jewish law should balance health, holiness, and justice: cannabis can be appropriate as medicine, but recreational use demands careful limits around safety, dependence, and intention.
Practical questions also surface around Hanukkah itself. Because the holiday lacks the full work restrictions of Shabbat and major festivals, most halakhic discussion focuses less on “may one use cannabis on Hanukkah at all?” and more on how, when, and why it is used. Contemporary rabbinic guides note that smoking (of anything) is discouraged for health reasons, that lighting joints or vapes from the menorah is generally prohibited because the candles are designated solely for the mitzvah, and that infused foods or drinks must meet ordinary kashrut standards—especially for processed edibles, which may require kosher certification.
Alongside formal law, Jewish cultural life around cannabis is evolving. Articles in Jewish and mainstream media describe “Green Hanukkah” gatherings, infused latke tastings, and cannabis-friendly dreidel games among adults in states where cannabis is legal. Grassroots groups such as Jews in Weed host events that blend Jewish ritual, community building, and cannabis culture, framing thoughtful consumption as another way to connect with joy, gratitude, and each other.
Many families, however, remain cautious. Some worry that normalizing intoxication at a child-centered holiday dulls Hanukkah’s core messages of resistance, religious freedom, and spiritual light. Others are concerned about responsible dosing, impaired driving after parties, or triggering guests in recovery. Jewish ethicists often return to the value of kedushah—holiness expressed through mindful celebration.
The result is a nuanced landscape: some communities keep cannabis far from their candles; others quietly accommodate medical use; a growing minority treats responsible, adult cannabis consumption as one more way to warm a winter gathering. Across the spectrum, the conversation itself is becoming part of contemporary Hanukkah—another arena where Jews negotiate tradition, law, and changing social norms.