Indulgence or Abstention?

In this week’s Torah portion we read about the Nazarite. This is an individual who has taken a vow of abstention. He is prohibited from cutting his hair, drinking wine and coming in contact with the dead.

 

Once his period of abstention comes to an end or if he mistakenly comes in contact with the dead, he must bring a “sin” offering.

 

Our Sages tell us that the reason for the sin offering is on account of his self imposed abstention from wine.

 

It would seem like the abstaining from wine is a good thing, why the does the Torah require a sin offering?

 

Maimonides in his law of Dayos, recommends the middle path for most things in life; “one should only desire the things that the body needs… one should only work to provide a living… don’t be too stingy, nor too generous, rather give Tzedakah according to your ability and lend money to one who is worthy. Don’t be too jolly or happy, nor depressed, rather joyous with a pleasant demeanor. This is the path of the wise”.

 

The Torah, Judaism, is practical, compassionate and very relevant. One who delves into Torah study and analyzes these nuances will be guided most practically in our lives.

 

The Torah (Maimonides) is telling us that indulgence is not good. Extremes are not good. The world was given to us to enjoy and bring holiness and Godliness into all of our interactions. There is a place and time for total abstention (or else even the middle path would be an extreme) and that is Yom Kippur or one who doesn’t have the ability to control themselves (eg. addicts, i.e. engaging in the particular behavior is harmful). Other than that, the middle path is ideal.

 

It is in the middle path that we uncover Godliness. In the middle path we engage in the world because G-d wants us to not because we want to. (Eg. We exercise to be healthy so we exercise just enough. We don’t exercise to be extreme.)

 

Indulgence in wine is not good, but neither is abstention, because in abstaining we miss out on the opportunity to bring G-d into another dimension of creation.

 

Finding balance, the middle path is key to everything.

 

L’Chaim, Happy Journeys!