We interrupt this discussion of Hebrew to return to the original OP and OP related comments....
I have noticed that most of what I have gotten from Cbid recently has been either AJ''s blends or $2/per cigars for golfing and boating and passing around. Most other brands that I regularly smoke, I have been finding elsewhere for less if I shop around and am patient for when the sales and specials pop up
However, I like most of what AJ creates and they have been going cheaper here then on other sites if you are discerning in your bids. That makes sense since CI and its related companies/websites have a special deal with AJ, with some brands being exclusive to the CI family, so I assume they are getting the best bulk pricing deals from AJ as well.
So Cbid still very useful to me, however, the recent bid prices have sent me elsewhere on many items.
Now back to Hebrew...
ברוך אתה ה’ א‑לוהינו, מלך העולם, סִיגָר לחם מן הארץ
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu melech ha'olam, sigar lechem min ha'aretz
Blessed are You, oh Lord, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth cigars from the earth.
Although the above is pretty good Hebrew, there is not a real blessing for cigars in Judaism, although it has been argued over the years that there should be since it gives pleasure, and things that give pleasure should be blessed.
Legend has it that a Jew named Luis de Torres, who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his expedition in 1492, settled in Cuba, learned the use of tobacco, and introduced it into Europe. Whether he was first or not, Jews were some of the very earliest tobacco traders and there is a long line of commentary which shows that Jews smoked as soon as tobacco hit Europe.
Raphael Kohen's "Ḥuṭ ha-Meshullash" (Odessa, 1874), deals with the question of cigar-smoking on Sabbaths, and which finally reaches the conclusion that it is permissible on the ground that it affords "'oneg shabbat" (delight and enjoyment).
Currently most Rabbinic rulings are obviously focused on Cigarette smoking -even if they don't say that specifically - and have ruled since cigarette smoking is deadly and addictive and they are really-really bad for you, its not good to use them as you are not supposed to harm yourself. Therefore, since cigarettes do more harm than good, Jews should not start smoking and, if they already do smoke, should try to quit. Again what is cited in these rulings is the reasoning and data for cigarettes, begging the question if cigars are included in the more recent pronouncements.
The cigar/cigarette distinction is an especially interesting issue since consuming alcohol was known even in Biblical times to be harmful but is still permitted as it brings joy (cf, Psalms 104:15 and Proverbs 23:31-32). The current rulings on alcohol are pretty much that drinking is fine, but only in moderation so that the bad does not outweigh the good. There have even been some similar rulings in regards to marijuana. There are also cigars and marijuana that have been certified as Kosher by several Jewish religious bodies.
I have found no clear Cigar-specific rulings or pronouncements, but many Jewish commentators have discussed it. The Jewish author Dennis Prenger has also pointed out that the pronouncements often inappropriately mix all smoking together and noted that, "[s]ince most cigar smokers do not inhale the smoke, the only danger of cigar smoking is some form of mouth cancer. This is, however, so rare as to compete in frequency with death by lightning. In fact, I believe that my cigars — given all the joy and peace they induce — are more likely to prolong my life than terminate it."
JEWISH CIGAR HUMOR
Two young rabbis from different congregations were old friends who shared a great fondness for cigars. Once each year, when they had a chance to visit, they would pray together and, of course, light up.
Eventually, however, they became concerned that there might be some sin in their habit, and they each resolved to ask their respective superiors for guidance. When they met again, one was puffing away.
“But the head of my school told me it was a sin,” protested the other. “What did you ask him?” said the first. “I asked him if it was all right to smoke during evening prayer, and he said that I couldn’t.”
“Well,” said his friend as he blew a perfect smoke ring into the air, “I asked my superior if it was alright to pray during our evening smoke, and he said it was just fine!”
So if cigar smoking brings you enough joy and you do it in moderation, a Jewish person arguably is good to light up.
Oh, yes, I very much AM bored at work today...
