There is a custom is many synagogues to distribute tobacco snuff to the congregants during the prayer service. Is this a proper practice, or should it be discouraged?
Rav Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1869) discusses this issue in his work Kaf Ha’haim (11:19), where he writes that one should not smell snuff during the Hazan’s repetition of the Amida, and certainly not during the silent Amida prayer. It would be inappropriate during the actual prayer service to begin smelling snuff, and one should therefore refrain from doing so. Rav Haim Palachi allows smelling snuff in the synagogue before or after the actual prayer service, and during breaks in the prayer service, such as during the few moments before the Torah reading begins. If somebody finds it necessary to smell snuff so he will be more alert and focused, then he may do so at these points. And if somebody asks him for some snuff during these points, he should oblige, as this helps his friend concentrate properly during the prayer service. Just as people commonly give some coins to charity in the synagogue before and after the prayer service, similarly, it is acceptable to distribute snuff to those who need it during these points. Furthermore, Rav Haim Palachi adds, distributing snuff in the synagogue often contributes to the feeling of friendship and camaraderie among the congregants, which is a critically important goal to achieve. Rav Haim Palachi also cites the work Orot Elim as commenting that giving one’s fellow snuff in the synagogue constitutes "Gemilut Hasadim" (an act of kindness), no different than giving some money to a poor person. If a person – even a wealthy person – comes to the synagogue and needs to smell snuff to concentrate properly, then sharing one’s snuff with him is a form of charity and should certainly be encouraged.
Similarly, Rav Eliyahu Mani (Baghdad-Israel, 1824-1899), in his work Zichronot Eliyahu, upholds the time-honored practice to smell and distribute snuff in the synagogue. He writes that many people find it very difficult to focus on their prayer without snuff, and, in addition, refusing to share one’s snuff with others will cause tension and resentment. Therefore, it is permissible and perhaps even admirable to smell and distribute snuff in the synagogue, provided that this is not done during the actual prayer service. Often, sharing snuff becomes an occasion for socializing, which would certainly be inappropriate during the prayer service. One should thus ensure to take out the snuff box to smell and share the snuff only before or after the prayer service, or during breaks in the service.
An exception to this rule may be made during Minha on Yom Kippur, when many people feel weak and fatigued from the long service and the fast. Indeed, it is reported that snuff is distributed to the congregants in Hacham Ovadia Yosef’s synagogue during the repetition of the Amida of Minha on Yom Kippur, and he does not object. Otherwise, however, this should not be done during the prayer service.
Even when smelling snuff is permissible, it should be done only if one finds it necessary to refresh himself and enhance his concentration. Smelling just for enjoyment infringes upon the honor owed to the synagogue. Furthermore, one must ensure that his hands do not become dirty from the snuff, as it is forbidden to pray with soiled hands. One must also exercise care to ensure to keep the synagogue clean, as is appropriate for a sacred place. If the snuff causes one to sneeze and he uses tissues, he must ensure to discard the tissues rather than leave them on a table or chair, which not only disgraces the synagogue, but also repulses other people. The Gemara in Masechet Hagiga comments that it is forbidden to do something in the presence of another person that makes him feel disgusted. Certainly, then, people must ensure to discard their tissues in the synagogue, both to preserve the synagogue’s honor and as a courtesy to other people.
More generally, the verse states, "rejoice with trembling" ("Gilu Bi’r’ada"), which the Sages explained to mean that when we experience and express joy, this must be tempered with a degree of solemnity. Smelling and distributing snuff in the synagogue can indeed be valuable as a means of obtaining greater camaraderie among the congregations, but they must ensure that this does not come at the expense of proper respect and decorum.
Summary: One should not smell or distribute snuff in the synagogue during the actual prayer service, including the Hazan’s repetition of the Amida. This is permissible, however, before or after the prayer service, or during the breaks in the service, if one feels this will help his concentration. One must ensure, however, to keep his hands and the synagogue clean, and to maintain proper decorum and respect as is befitting a synagogue.
