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Valke2
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The purpose of creation is that a Jew should enter the world, get married, have children, and hold down a job, and still be a spiritual person. Our job is to bring G-dliness into the very mundane areas of our life.
Ben Azzai, a rabbi who lived during the time of Rabbi Akiva, was also celibate and the gemara says he was permitted to do this.
Editor’s Comment
Every rule has its exception, and Ben Azzai and Ben Zoma were the exceptions to this rule. Maimonides writes (Laws of Marriage 15:3): “One whose soul constantly yearns for Torah, and he is constantly occupied with [its study] like Ben Azzai, and he cleaved to [Torah] his entire life and did not marry a woman – is not guilty of sin. This is provided that his inclination does not overpower him [with lustful thoughts].” We think that this law doesn’t apply to the average http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=121&o=2486
Judaism is an example of one religion which has not practiced celibacy at all. On the contrary, a marriage with children is regarded as itself a sacred duty. In the time of the Temple, even the High Priest was expected to be married and single men were prohibited from holding a variety of important offices. atheism.about.com/library/glossary/general/bldef_celibacy.htm?terms=western+rite
Judaism has no history of celibacy for its leaders, rabbis or kohens. Before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, priests, kohens, and Levites were required to practice continence (abstain from sexual intercourse with their wife) before and during their time of service at the temple. They were permitted to resume marital relations after completing their service. Some community functions are, as a rule, filled only by married men. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_celibacy
Not one law in all of Judaism goes against man’s nature. Unlike Catholicism which frowns upon divorce, and praises celibacy, Judaism embraces the need at times for married couples to divorce if they will be happier that way, and Judaism also embraces man’s need for sexual happiness and children… mesora.org/howjudaismdiffers.html
Ben Azzai, a rabbi who lived during the time of Rabbi Akiva, was also celibate and the gemara says he was permitted to do this.
Editor’s Comment
Every rule has its exception, and Ben Azzai and Ben Zoma were the exceptions to this rule. Maimonides writes (Laws of Marriage 15:3): “One whose soul constantly yearns for Torah, and he is constantly occupied with [its study] like Ben Azzai, and he cleaved to [Torah] his entire life and did not marry a woman – is not guilty of sin. This is provided that his inclination does not overpower him [with lustful thoughts].” We think that this law doesn’t apply to the average http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=121&o=2486
Judaism is an example of one religion which has not practiced celibacy at all. On the contrary, a marriage with children is regarded as itself a sacred duty. In the time of the Temple, even the High Priest was expected to be married and single men were prohibited from holding a variety of important offices. atheism.about.com/library/glossary/general/bldef_celibacy.htm?terms=western+rite
Judaism has no history of celibacy for its leaders, rabbis or kohens. Before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, priests, kohens, and Levites were required to practice continence (abstain from sexual intercourse with their wife) before and during their time of service at the temple. They were permitted to resume marital relations after completing their service. Some community functions are, as a rule, filled only by married men. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_celibacy
Not one law in all of Judaism goes against man’s nature. Unlike Catholicism which frowns upon divorce, and praises celibacy, Judaism embraces the need at times for married couples to divorce if they will be happier that way, and Judaism also embraces man’s need for sexual happiness and children… mesora.org/howjudaismdiffers.html