Askmoses-A Jews Resource
Why do we blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah?
Browse our archives

The Scholar is ready to answer your question. Click the button below to chat now.

Scholar Online:

Type in your question here:

What is so terrible about masturbation?

  

Library » Intimacy » Sexual Issues | Subscribe | What is RSS?

PRINT EMAIL COMMENT

Rabbi Gurkow: Welcome to the Rabbi's one on one chat room, how can I help you today?


RJK: The kitzur shulchan aruch [Ed. note: Abridged Code of Jewish Law] says that masturbation is worse than all the other sins in the Torah and compares it to murder. Is this hyperbolic or is it literal?


Rabbi Gurkow: when you say hyperbolic do you mean that it just says it but does not really mean it? if that's what you mean then it is not hyperbolic


Rabbi Gurkow: but if you mean that one is not subject to corporal punishment equal or worse than other sins, then you are correct


Rabbi Gurkow: the shulchan aruch is talking about the spiritual damage that is caused by it, which is worse then that of any other sin


RJK: OK, by hyperbolic, I just meant exaggeration to show severity. OK-- so the spiritual damage caused by masturbation is worse than that caused by any other sin?!


RJK: This is difficult for me to understand


RJK: Worse than the spiritual damage caused by literally murdering someone, by hurting someone, by slandering someone?


Rabbi Gurkow: indeed


RJK: How so?


Rabbi Gurkow: you are thinking that the pain caused in ths world is the barometer of the spirtual damage--that is not so


Rabbi Gurkow: in the Tanya chapter seven, the Alter Rebbe explains that through masturbation one pours out the essence of one's soul with all the sanctity inherent in that and that it is given directly to the kelipah [powers of anti-divinity]


Rabbi Gurkow: there is no other sin that the kelipah can draw directly from the essence of holiness


Rabbi Gurkow: masturbation is the only one


Rabbi Gurkow: so obviously in terms of inflicting pain, creating chaos, causing upheaval etc. masturbation doesn't come close to being ranked the worse


Rabbi Gurkow: but in terms of spiritual damage, strengthening spiritual forces of negativity and unholiness, it is indeed the worst.


RJK: Thanks for your time


Rabbi Gurkow: you are totally welcome


[Ed. note: Also read "Where does the Torah say masturbation is a sin?"]

All names, places, and identifying information have been changed or deleted in order to protect the privacy of the questioners. In order to preserve authenticity, the chat sessions have been posted with a minimum of editing. Please excuse typographical errors, missing punctuation, and/or grammatical mistakes which naturally occur in the course of informal chat sessions.

ADD A COMMENT

Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in).
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Rebbe
A Chassidic master. A saintly person who inspires followers to increase their spiritual awareness.
Tanya
Foundation text of Chabad chassidism. Authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad movement, and first published in 1796. Considered to be the "Bible" of Chassidism.