Why 420

According to Steven Hager, editor of High Times, the term 420 originated at San Rafael High School, in 1971, among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking wiseacres who called themselves the Waldos.

The question is not about how this custom began but why it persists until becoming a world-wide phenomenon–smoking herb at 4:20. The Torah, particularly the Cabala provides answers.

Ashun/Smoke has a gematria of 420; also the three letters which make up the word Ashun are an acrostic for Olam/World, Shana/Time and Nefesh/Soul. When the Torah was given on Har Sinai the mountain Ashun/Smoked. The first ingredient of Ketoret/Incense is KaneBusim/Good Smell–Cannabis was also used in the inner service of the Temple–known to stand against plagues and rid the Temple of insects.

Herb was introduced into the world during the time of Avraham 4000 years ago; Avraham brought this special plant from Mars where the Tower of Babel had been erected–at the end of his life, Avraham sends his children that he has with Ketoret off to the east with gifts.

When one goes up to read the Torah before the congregation he is given an Aliah/Getting High–In the Torah God is referred to as, On High. To get high is to get closer to God through on the world stuck in time with our souls.