Body and Soul
This week’s portion, Naso, from the Book of Numbers, offers the iconic Birkat Kohanim—the threefold blessing for peace and well-being. But it also details the strange rite of the Nazirite, one who voluntarily takes on a vow of abstinence from wine and its components, hair care (the Nazirite must grow out their hair), and proximity to a corpse for a set period. This kind of monastic denial seems to fit into the mold of other religious traditions. But, as is often the case, Judaism offers a distinct take on the practice.
At the end of the Nazirite’s term of discipline, they must provide a sin offering for having “sinned against their soul.” The rabbis offer a number of interpretations, but the explanation that seems most compelling castigates the Nazirite for excessive asceticism. This reflects two larger ideals in Jewish life.
The first is that the body is not only not an impediment to holiness, but rather a vehicle for holiness when used properly. Thus, celebrating the pleasures of life as created by God is intended, and denial is seen as an affront.
Secondly, as we learn in Pirkei Avot, we are encouraged not to separate ourselves from the community. To do so is both an act of arrogance and a neglect of our obligations to others.