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Capital punishment for masturbation

Spiderman

Veteran Member
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture,
'And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.' (Genesis 38:10)"

— Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia

If everyone that masturbated or contracepted was put to death, how many people would we have left?
 

Spiderman

Veteran Member
The Talmud forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow(see the story in Genesis 38:8-10). Others consider the death sentenceexcessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage — the Biblical option offered to those refusing a Levirate marriage was that the woman who was refused, would spit over the males shoe, after removing it from his foot. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense. Onan was not masturbating, but practising birth control by withdrawal.

According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah".[1] However, Beis Shmuelexpounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.[2]

There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.[3]

Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia
 

LionLooking

Member
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture,
'And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.' (Genesis 38:10)"
One of many reasons not to base current laws on ancient ones.

If everyone that masturbated or contracepted was put to death, how many people would we have left?
Very few - just children under the age of 12 (or thereabouts), those who have been paralysed from an early age, and the (very rare) highly religious folk who've stuck faithfully to their faith.

There may be more, but I can't think of any off hand (if you'll pardon the pun!)
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Have you ever stopped to consider just how sick and bizarre our species of super-sized chimpanzee must be to have ever invented the notion that there is a god who hates masturbation? Just how far off the rails must a brain be running to have come up with that one?

I tell you, we are the least sane of the great apes.
 

Spiderman

Veteran Member
Have you ever stopped to consider just how sick and bizarre our species of super-sized chimpanzee must be to have ever invented the notion that there is a god who hates masturbation? Just how far off the rails must a brain be running to have come up with that one?
Thanks... that makes me feel a little better! :)
 

Ingledsva

HEATHEN ALASKAN
The Talmud forbids male masturbation, as it leads to unnecessary spilling of semen, or the impure thoughts of women other than the man's lawful wife. This prohibition is derived from the Biblical narrative of Onan (Talmud Niddah 13a). The Talmud (ibid) likens the act to murder and idolatry. The wrath displayed by God toward Onan was invoked not through the act of spilling semen, but through disobedience to God's command for Onan to impregnate his brother's widow(see the story in Genesis 38:8-10). Others consider the death sentenceexcessive for failure to properly follow the laws of Levirate marriage — the Biblical option offered to those refusing a Levirate marriage was that the woman who was refused, would spit over the males shoe, after removing it from his foot. Because Onan's punishment was so much more severe, they argue that the spilling of semen was the relevant offense. Onan was not masturbating, but practising birth control by withdrawal.

According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, "It is forbidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver sin than any other in the Torah".[1] However, Beis Shmuelexpounds that this is not literal, but rather serves to frighten man into avoiding the sin.[2]

There is disagreement among the poskim, decisors of Jewish law, whether masturbation is an acceptable way of procuring semen for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation.[3]

Judaism in general neither prohibits nor discourages female masturbation
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia

Personally, I think these later writers misunderstood what was being said in that story.

Masturbation isn't the sin.

Going in and having sex with your dead brother's wife, under the guise of conceiving an heir for that brother, then at the last minute spilling the seed so your brother won't have an heir, is the sin.

Also - as he didn't finish the "raising seed for his brother law" - what he did would be rape.

Thus he got zapped.

*
 

Srivijaya

Active Member
Nothing more than cells with a limited shelf life that need clearing out from time to time so they can be replaced with fresh stock. It's a biological process and far less hassle than a period.
 

Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture,
'And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.' (Genesis 38:10)"

— Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia

If everyone that masturbated or contracepted was put to death, how many people would we have left?
Capital punishment as in getting capital, money - is OK. ;)

The Bible nowhere speaks of masturbation, except perhaps alluding to it when the nation of Israel was told that those who had an emission of semen had to wash and be unclean until evening.

All the other serious condemnations of masturbation is just folly.
 
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Liu

Well-Known Member
There is the common notion in also some other religions that orgasm and/or ejaculation are somehow detrimental to one's (bodily and/or spiritual) health (the opposite notion also exists, but seems to be much more modern in my impression).
Some people do feel better and more energetic when they refrain from things of that kind (be it by complete chastity or by Karezza etc.).
Perhaps that idea also got mixed into that story. Although when reading it in full it's clear that it likely doesn't refer to masturbation at all.

Still it would work better if it was explained why instead of just saying "it's wrong". Especially in regards to something like sexuality in which suppression based on feelings of guilt can easily lead to all kinds of psychological hang-ups.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture,
'And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.' (Genesis 38:10)"

— Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia

If everyone that masturbated or contracepted was put to death, how many people would we have left?

I'd like to think such a society would be torn apart by it's citizens.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Have you ever stopped to consider just how sick and bizarre our species of super-sized chimpanzee must be to have ever invented the notion that there is a god who hates masturbation? Just how far off the rails must a brain be running to have come up with that one?

I tell you, we are the least sane of the great apes.

This is why you shouldn't have stopped coming to 'Control 101' classes, Phil.

You missed the one where it was explained that establishing feelings of guilt in a population can actually help in establishing control.

Mother in law's throughout history have proven the general effectiveness of this strategy.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
"But why all these precautions? — Because otherwise one might emit semen in vain, and R. Johanan stated: Whosoever emits semen in vain deserves death, for it is said in Scripture,
'And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.' (Genesis 38:10)"

— Babylon Talmud, Tractate Niddah, p. 13a
Judaism and masturbation - Wikipedia

If everyone that masturbated or contracepted was put to death, how many people would we have left?
Read the whole passage, not just that verse. Onan's sin wasn't masturbation; it was refusing to impregnate his dead brother's wife.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Trust religion to make something like this an actual issue of debate, eh?

A Catholic priest once told me the reason (or one of them) ivf is frowned upon is because it requires masturbation... the procreation aspect notwithstanding. :rolleyes:
 
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