What demons? The Rambam paskened that they do not exist!

HH

Last night at the Rambam's shrine, in honor of his hilula, we had a little snack as is customary, and in our little get together we talked of a certain Nanach who had done some major segufim (self flagellation) until he began to see some of the demons that accompany people, and he began to refuse to have any dealings therefore with many people. In the middle of this one of the Nanach pointed out that the Rambam wrote that there are no such thing as demons! So I told them what is said in the name of the Vilna Gaon that obviously the Rambam did not deny the existence of demons, what he wrote was a halachic edict, a halacha of the revealed Torah to establish that no demon could have any appearance or status in the revealed world. So in the merit of the Rambam may our friend be spared the visions of the demons....

Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman!

Between Man and Himself

HH

Before I merited to know about the holy Petek, and the Song of Redemption: Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman, I was a big fan of the Vilna Goan, and I still have great appreciation for some of his teachings. Here's a great one.

The Gra said that there are three types - categories - of mitzvos and avayros (sins): Between Man and G-d, Between Man and Man, and Between Man and Himself. Ultimately all are between Man and G-d, but on the working level of the sin there are those that involve other people and those that only involve oneself.

The Gra classified se*ual sin as being primarily a sin of the third category: Between Man and Himself (the reason why I write primarily is because obviously if the sin was conducted with someone else there is direct damage to the other person which is of the category: Between Man and Man, but the essence of the se*ual sin is a lacking and infringement in the person himself).

True, we know from our holy Sages that the eyes see and that causes the heart to desire, but ultimately the shortcomings and sin of se*ual nature is a deficiency in the person himself, not of someone or something else harming him, just himself.

Something to think about.... Overcoming se*ual temptations is completely dependent on the person himself to build the strength of his character, with the help of Hashem Yisburach and

Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman!