Printer Friendly
KI TEITZEI
The saga of the captive woman described in this week's Torah reading has always remained a somewhat puzzling subject. The Talmud itself reacts to the realities of war – those young male soldiers and vulnerable female captives – by stating that the Torah is reacting to the natural base desires of men in times of stress and danger. So to speak, the entire matter is a concession to evil instinct and the inability to demand complete control over sexual desires in certain situations.
While all of this is undoubtedly true, it does not provide us with a very spiritual explanation of the event as it is portrayed in the Torah. Rashi, following the lead of the Talmud and Midrash, portrays this type of behavior as one that leads to severe and tragic consequences in the future.
Disputes over inheritance, severely rebellious children, all follow on the heels of this act of uninhibited passion. The Torah itself warns that the man himself who committed this physical act will not find satisfaction with wife that he acquired in such a fashion.
The Torah, in essence, guarantees only trouble and travail as a consequence of the act that the Torah itself previously condoned and made possible. There is an important lesson in life that is to be gleaned from this problematic situation. And that is that not everything that is permitted will lead to a cheerful and good outcome.
What is basically permitted does not mean that one should avail one’s self of actually performing the legally permitted act. It is the wise person, the person that possesses perspective and an understanding of Torah values and lifestyle, who will properly avoid such an act which, while permitted, can only lead to troubles and eventual disaster.
Life is always filled with problematic situations and difficult choices. Many times, if not even most times, these choices are complicated by our basic drives and desires. These natural instincts, which exist within us, are very powerful and fully capable of overriding our logical, intellectual, and protective self-interest.
Rarely does the person who is faced with monetary or physical temptation truly make a reckoning as to the consequences of what he or she is about to do. The rabbis in Avot cautioned us to always make such a reckoning – the pleasure of the act versus the irreversible consequences that it will engender – before deciding to go ahead and perform the act in question.
One can always rationalize one's behavior, technically and legally, and say that an act was permitted and not extralegal. However, the wise person realizes that this may not be beneficial or positive.
There are many who direct scorn and criticism at those who adopt certain stringencies upon themselves, even on issues which are technically permissible. While everything should be done in moderation and with good sense, the Torah itself allows for such behavior.
In the famous words of the rabbis, “one who sees an unfaithful wife being shamed should refrain from drinking wine.” That is undoubtedly the lesson to be derived from this situation described for us in this week's Torah reading.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Berel Wein
