Knowledge is Power -
G-dly Knowledge is SUPER POWER.
If a poor person were to tell you, “nothing better than being religious & spiritual and passing up on all the hedonism, fun and cruises”, you would be right to think, this guy don’t know what he’s talkin about.
Rabbi Chaim Ben Atar (1696 – 1743) known as “the Holy light of life” says the following. When the Israelites were worshiping the golden calf and Moses broke the two tablets, G-d granted Moses the remnants of the stone, which was a very expensive sapphire. As a result, Moses became the wealthiest person of his time. Moses had all the money in the world, and could purchase his way to do anything he desired.
Therefore there is much more believability to his statement. “(All of you, look at my wealth) I am presenting you today, the ways of the Torah (that I can attest to) are a blessing and a way to (a good and fulfilled) life, and the opposite, is (your choice to) a way of curse….”
King David said something similar when he said, “the
Teachings (Torah) of your mouth, are better than, thousands of gold and silver,
and King Solomon said regarding materialism, “Vanity of vanities it is all
vain…”.
The following are the exact words from Maimonides (the
Rambam’s) magnum opus, 14 volumes Yad Hachazaka – “The Mighty Hand”, on the
subject of, secluding oneself with the opposite gender.
Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138-1204) Talmudist, codifier of
Jewish Law, physician, philosopher and communal leader, known in the Jewish
world by the acronym "Rambam" and to the world at large as
"Maimonides," is one of the most important figures in the history of
Torah scholarship. Rabbi Moshe knew very well the world we live in, its tests
and challenges, and writes in his book of laws, based on G-ds eternal words in
the Torah, the following.
===========================
Thoughts of forbidden relations grow strong solely
in a heart which is empty of wisdom.
....It is forbidden to enter into privacy with any of the
“forbidden” woman, even if she is elderly or a young girl, for this leads to
forbidden relations. [The only] exceptions are a woman and her son, a father
and his daughter, and a husband with his wife who is in the menstrual state.
…… Therefore it is proper for a person to subjugate his
natural inclination with regard to this matter and train himself in extra
holiness, pure thought and proper character traits so that he will be guarded
against them.
He should be very careful with regard to entering into
privacy with a woman, for this is a great cause [of transgression]. Our great
Sages would tell their students: "Watch me because of my daughter,"
"Watch me because of my daughter-in-law," so that they would teach
their students not to be embarrassed about such matters and distance themselves
from entering into privacy with women.
Similarly, a person should distance himself from levity,
intoxication, and flirtation, for they are great precipitators and steps
[leading] to forbidden relations.
………A man should not live without a wife, for this practice
leads to great impurity. And [our Sages gave] even greater [advice], saying:
"A person should always turn himself and his thoughts to the words of the
Torah and expand his knowledge in wisdom, for the thoughts of forbidden
relations grow strong solely in a heart which is empty of wisdom." And in
[Solomon's words of] wisdom [Proverbs 5:19], it is written: "It is a
beloved hind, arousing favor. Her breasts will satisfy you at all times. You
shall be obsessed with her love."
Issurei Biah - Chapter Twenty Two
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Whoever shares physical intimacy with one of the forbidden
relationships, without actually becoming involved in sexual relations, or
embraces and kisses [one of them] out of desire, and derives pleasure from the
physical contact should be lashed according to Scriptural Law. [This is derived
from Leviticus 18:30 which] states: "To refrain from performing any of
these abominable practices," and [ibid: 6 which] states: "Do not draw
close to reveal nakedness." Implied is that we are (EVEN) forbidden to
draw close to acts that lead to revealing nakedness.
A person who engages in any of the above mentioned practices
is considered likely to engage in forbidden sexual relations.
It is forbidden for a person to make motions with his hands
or feet or wink with his eyes to one of the forbidden relationships to share mirth with her or to act
frivolously with her. It is even
forbidden to smell her perfume or gaze at her beauty. A person who performs any
of these actions intentionally should be given stripes for rebellious conduct.
A person who looks at even a small finger of a woman with
the intent of deriving pleasure is considered unacceptable………...
Issurei Biah - Chapter Twenty One
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