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Torah Sources on the Challenges Facing Jewish Men with regard to Matters of Purity

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    The Prohibition Against Impure Thoughts: “Scripture ( Ecclesiastes 12,14) teaches us that God judges every action according to the person's hidden feelings. If a man inadvertently happens to see a beautiful woman and allows himself even a momentary impure thought while looking at her , he should not think that he did not commit a transgression because he had not gone out on purpose to be attracted by her charm. The statement that God judges man according to his hidden feelings applies in such cases also. Even pleasure at the sight of an unexpected sensual stimulus is a transgression. We should regard as a punishment the mere fact that we were given occasion for impurity without our having gone out to look for it. On the other hand, one who gets an unexpected opportunity to perform a mitzvah should rejoice and give thanks to God Who has given him this unsought opportunity to do good.” Sefer Chasidim , 177, (12th century) as translated in the monthly journal Jeshuru...
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a 29 year old

When Machon Shlomo was started in 1982, the only hashkafa class was given by a 29 year old baal teshuvah who was 6 years out of a Christian college. Yet,  The age of 40 contains unique significance in both Halachic literature and Chazal, as we will list below. 1.    Ben Arbaim Lebina-Age of Binah-Understanding : At the age of 40 one reaches the age of understanding. [1] This means that he is now able to understand the depth of teachings of Torah, and to novelize many new laws and interpretations of verses. [2] This is because at this age a person reaches mental and intellectual maturity. [3] 2.    Morei Horah according to all opinions : [4] The Talmud [5] states that at age 40 one reaches the age of Horah, in which he can Pasken. Now, it is debated amongst the Rishonim and Poskim as to the intent of this Talmudic statement. Some Poskim [6] understand it to mean that one may not Pasken until age 40. Other Poskim [7] understand it as discussing one who i...
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What's your rabbi like?

But didn’t Rabba bar bar Ḥana say that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek Torah from his mouth; for he is an angel of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7)?  “If the rabbi is similar to an angel of the Lord of hosts, (perfect in his ways) they should seek Torah from his mouth; but if not, they should not seek Torah from his mouth.”  (Chagigah 15b)
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