Is it a sin to enjoy cheesecake? asceticism in Judaism SKAJ Erev Shavuot Mishmar

Categories of attitudes towards ascetism and pleasure (Adapted from Moshe Sokol)

1. Moderate Asceticism- Sensual pleasure is an evil. All pleasureable actions ought to be avoided to the extent possible

- Pirkei Avot VI:4 This is the way of the Torah: to eat bread with salt, to drink water by measure, to sleep upon the ground, and live a life of hardship

2. Neutralism Pleasure in and of itself is neither good nor bad. Pleasureable activities are also in and of themselves are neither good nor evil.

a. pleasurable activities derive their value by considering the consequences of the pleasurable activity

b. their value is derived by the intentions of the person engaging in the activity

Ascetic neutralism- pleasurable activities generally have undesireable consequences and therefore should be minimized. it is a temptation. biological impulses distract from Torah and mitzvoth and may lead to sin- Rabad(R, Abraham Ben David of Posquieres- Ba'alei ha-Nefesh)- "abstinence serves as a fence against sin if after satisfying his desire with that which is permissible, he can no longer find permissible things, his desire will seek the forbidden"

Liberal neurtralism- not as concerned about leading to sin. The key is intention

Rambam Hilchot Deot III:1-3

3. Liberal Position- why would God create a world so full of pleasurable things and why did he create humans with the capacity to experience pleasure?

therefore, experiencing pleasure is a good in and of itself, similar to justice or kindness. It may not be on the same level in the hierarchy of values but it is a good. But that good ultimately derives from God- the ultimate good.

Pleasure has to be within the context of God's plan

Therefore pleasurable actions are good only if they are performed also as a means to the higher end of serving or knowing God.

Different from Hedonist who believe that only pleasure is the criteria for good and bad. therefore all pleasures and only pleasures are intrinsically good.

Do not spend the entirety of your days in His service, Rather make time for God, and periods of time for yourselves, give Him half the day and the other half for your own acivites, and during your nights, give no respite to wine drinking.

R Shmuel ha-Nagid 11th century Spain

Why limit pleasure?

penitence/repentence

Yom Kippur- innui nefesh

The intent is to keep oneself from that which is forbidden, the understanding being that a person should withdraw and separate himself from anything which might give rise to something that could bring about evil, even though it does not bring it about at the moment and even though it is not evil in itself.

If you look into the matter you will perceive three distinct levels - the forbidden things themselves, their fences (the edicts and safeguards that our Sages of blessed memory made binding on all of Israel), and the "withdrawals" that those committed to Separation must create for themselves by circumscribing themselves and building fences for themselves; that is, by abstaining from things which were permitted, which were not proscribed to all of Israel, and separating themselves from them so as to be far removed from evil.

Ramchal Rav Moshe Chaim Luzatto Mesilat Yesharim Ch. 13

The holy person sees himself as being forced to descend into this-worldy matters, in order to use them to serve God...to rais up the holy sparks immanent in this world, and to complete the world, as is the will of God. Certainly, this is self-denial on his part, a great sacrifice; for he hates descending into this impure place, a world of eating and drinking and other such this-worldly matters which he finds disgusting and abominable.

Rav Eliyahu Dessler, Mikhtav me'Eliyahu III 152-53