The Nazirite is an individual who took a vow not to drink wine, to cut his or her hair, nor to become ritually defiled by contact with the dead.
- Why would a person take such a vow?
- Why would an individual seek to remove themselves from wine, haircuts and impurity?
- Is the Nazirite considered as a holy person? Is this behaviour lauded and recommended or is it a fringe allowance for a person who needs religious intensity?
This Nazirite is disputed in the Talmud, but the discussion takes a wider view, discussing ascetism in general. Is self-denial a recommended religious course of action?
Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel in this week’s Parsha Discussion on Naso: Nazir – Sacred or Sinner?
Please note that if you are printing The Parsha Discussion on US paper, please select the option “fit to print”.
