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Written by Nahar Shalom Yeshiva | |
Thursday, 21 June 2012 | |
Several articles and Questions and Answers on this site address the problem of spilling semen in vain from various points of view.
Here, we will try to present a general overview, gathered in large part from the book, “Taharah, in Halachah and Agadah,” compiled by the famed “Nahar Shalom Yeshiva for Kabbalists” in Jerusalem. At the outset, it is important to know that while the transgression is very severe, G-d is ever willing to accept all those who return to Him in heartfelt penitence, as set forth in other articles on this site. TREASURE CHEST OF SOULS This continuation is insured by the holy life-force contained in a man’s semen, which is often referred to as seed or “zera” in Hebrew, because of its potential to generate new life just like with the seed of a fruit. The “zera” contains not only the physical and genetic life-force of new birth, but also the holy soul that is brought into the world when a child is born. Each Jew contains a treasure chest of these holy souls, which originate in the bank of souls in Heaven. The Kaballah teaches that this treasure chest of souls is housed in the brain. Sexual arousal causes souls to leave the brain and travel along the eighteen vertebrae of the spine (paralleling the eighteen blessings in the Amidah prayer) down to the sexual organ where they join with DNA empowered seminal fluid before being ejaculated from the body. Scientists report that anywhere from one-hundred million to three-hundred million sperm leave the body with each ejaculation. However, if a man engages in forbidden sexual relations, or has relations with his wife during her Niddah days, or if he masturbates for his own personal pleasure, or has an ejaculation of semen due to erotic thoughts or premature ejaculation, the semen is considered wasted and the souls are lost to the forces of impurity and evil in the world that feed off the life-giving power of the souls which they capture. In this case, rather than safeguarding the treasure chest of souls which the King has granted him, and which he made a sacred covenant to keep when he entered into the covenant of the Brit Milah, the man wastes myriads of precious holy souls – miniature building blocks of life. Someone who acts in this fashion is like a person who was given a valuable treasure by G-d and then wastes it on empty self-gratification and personal pleasures, thus strengthening the forces of evil in the world instead of the good. Regarding this person, the Book of Proverbs says: “As a madman who shoots fire-rockets and arrows and death, and says ‘I was only playing’” (Mishle, 26:19). In contrast, a person who rules over his passions, and the powers entrusted to him, is like a prince of the King who rules over the kingdom entrusted to him. Instead of being ruled over by his evil inclinations, he raises himself to being the pinnacle being of Creation, directed the life-giving forces of creation in their proper holy path. In doing so, he brings health and wellbeing to his life, his body, his family, his surroundings, and the Jewish People as a whole. THE SEVERITY OF SPILLING SEMEN IN VAIN In several places, the Zohar emphasizes the gravity of this transgression. Our Sages have said: Those who spill seed in vain are under the penalty of death and are subjugated to banishment, They are called evil, wrongdoers, and betrayers of the faith. They are like those who spill blood, and like those who worship idols. And it is as if they bring a flood upon the world. They are not allowed into the private chambers of the Blessed One Holy Be He, and violate the prohibition against adultery. They are compared to beasts that have no portion in the world to come. They cause the prolonging of the exile, delay the coming of Mashiach, bring suffering to world, and cause the gentiles to have dominion over Israel. They will not merit to see the face of the Shekinah, the coming of Mashiach, or the revival of the dead…. (Niddah 13A; Kallah, 1:19; Kallah Rabbati, 2:4; Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer, 23:1-3.) How are we to understand that spilling semen in vain is like the spilling of blood – a refined way of saying murder? It is because of the life potential in the “zera” which goes wasted. Spilling seed in vain, whether through masturbation or other sexual transgression, destroys the living essence and complete genetic potential in the sperm cells that are wasted – something which can readily seen under high-powered microscopes. For inside the ejaculated seminal fluid are worlds upon worlds of life. In the same light we can understand how the Sages can compare the spilling of semen in vain to bringing a flood upon the world. In the eyes of the Creator, the murder of a single human life is a horrible thing – how much more so the destruction of multitudes, like the Flood did in the days of Noach and during the Tzunami in our time! The spilling of semen in vain brings about depression, confusion in the mind, weakness of faith, physical illness, problems with livelihood, problems with children, and marital conflict. The prayers of people who abuse the Covenant of the Brit go unanswered. They find Torah study listless, feel alienated from holy matters, and are given to unseemly traits such as anger and pride (Taharat HaKodesh, 116). According to the Kabbalah, someone who spills his seed in vain destroys his “mazal,” the Divine good fortune destined for him. This is because in wasting the life force granted to him, he discards the Divine blessing accompanying it. This is hinted at by the first Hebrew letters of spilling seed in vain, “Motzee Zera L’batillah,” (מזל) “mazal.” So devastating are the consequences of spilling semen in vain that the definitive compilation of Jewish Law, the “Shulchan Aruch,” states that it is forbidden for a person to willingly cause himself an erection outside of the marital union, or to bring himself to have sexual fantasies. For this reason, a man should sleep on his side so as not to cause an erection (loc. Cited; also Oruch Chaim, 63:1). BIRTH CONTROL TSHUVA VIRTUES OF GUARDING THE BRIT FINAL BLESSING “Fortunate is the man who guards over himself and exerts himself in guarding the brit in the proper manner. It is necessary to note that due to the modesty surrounding these matters, many rabbis don’t not speak openly about this subject, which is so important to the public, and due to our many sins, a great many people don’t realize that they are committing grave transgressions which have wide and far-reaching consequences. Therefore, fortunate is the man who makes these matters known in a widespread fashion. The merit of helping others come closer to Hashem will be a shield to them, and they will be blessed with righteous, holy children. May Hashem fill the wishes of their hearts and bestow goodness and blessing and joy, granted them long, healthy and happy lives, ample livelihood and and every good, Amen."
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 June 2012 ) |
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