Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 75a
תלמוד בבלי סנהדרין ע"ה.
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.
"It happened that a certain man set eyes on a certain woman [and became so enamored of her] that his heart was consumed by his ardent desire [and his life was endangered]. When inquiry was made of physicians, they said, “There is no remedy other than she submit to him.” The sages said, “Let him die, rather than she submit.” “Can she stand in front of him nude?” “Let him die, rather than she stand in front of him nude.” “Can he speak to her from behind a screen?” “Let him die and not speak to her from behind a screen.”" [Translation by Rabbi Steve Greenberg]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

Why won't the sages consent to this treatment?

Is the man under duress?

What are the implications of their stringent ruling?

Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)