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How could Ben Azzai remain unmarried while teaching that not marrying is like murder? The Rambam (רמב"ם)'s distinction reveals that Ben Azzai wasn't avoiding pru u'rvu but fulfilling it through Torah (תורה) - creating spiritual offspring through chiddushei Torah. His "chashkah ba'Torah" represents complete creative fulfillment where Torah study satisfies all human drives.
This shiur provides a profound analysis of the Gemara (גמרא) in Niddah 63b concerning Ben Azzai's famous statement that he remains unmarried because "nafshi chashkah ba'Torah (תורה)" (my soul clings to Torah). The Gemara presents a challenge to Ben Azzai: he teaches that not getting married is like committing murder, yet he himself never married. His response that his soul clings to Torah and others can fulfill the mitzvah (מצוה) seems inadequate. The Rambam (רמב"ם)'s ruling in Hilchot Ishut provides crucial insight. He distinguishes between two situations: one who delays marriage to learn (permitted under osek b'mitzvah patur min ha'mitzvah) and Ben Azzai's case of "mi she'chashkah nafsho ba'Torah" - provided his yetzer hara doesn't overpower him. The key difference is that Ben Azzai isn't merely delaying the mitzvah but actually fulfilling pru u'rvu through Torah.
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How long must Hashem tolerate the Jewish people's rebellious behavior? A Midrash compares this to the halachic question of carrying a child holding muktze on Shabbos. The analysis reveals that rejecting Eretz Yisrael represents a deeper spiritual corruption than individual acts of avoda zara.
Niddah 63b, Hilchot Ishut 15:2-3
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What did Dovid mean when he reduced the 613 mitzvos to twelve principles? The Gemara reveals that mitzvos have two dimensions: fulfilling the obligation and achieving personal completion (hashlomah). Dovid identified twelve core principles that encapsulate the essential character development aspect of all mitzvos.
