תלמוד בבלי, סנהדרין עה.
אמר רב יהודה אמר רב: מעשה באדם אחד שנתן עיניו באשה אחת, והעלה לבו טינא. ובאו ושאלו לרופאים, ואמרו: אין לו תקנה עד שתבעל. אמרו חכמים: ימות, ואל תבעל לו. - תעמוד לפניו ערומה? - ימות ואל תעמוד לפניו ערומה. - תספר עמו מאחורי הגדר? - ימות ולא תספר עמו מאחורי הגדר.
Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav: It happened once that a man cast his eye upon a woman and was overcome with great desire, so much so that he became gravely ill. They came and asked the doctors, who advised, “He cannot be healed unless he has sex with her.” The sages said, “Let him die and not have sex with her.” [The doctors suggested] “Let her stand before him naked.” The sages said, “Let him die and let her not stand before him naked.” [The doctors suggested] “Let her speak with him from behind a fence.” The sages said, “Let him die and not speak with her from behind a fence.”
[AJWS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why was the man gravely ill? Why did he think that having sex with the woman would cure him?
2. Are we allowed to indulge our desires when they come at the expense of others? Why?
3. What values were the sages prioritizing? What is the rule that might come from this?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)