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Daily Daf Dose
A petzua daka (one whose testicles are wounded or crushed) cannot marry into the Congregation of Hashem.
What is the reasoning behind this prohibition?
The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim writes that it is because his cohabitation is meaningless since he cannot father a child. Furthermore, his wife will be seduced by other men; she will be a stumbling block for others.
The Raavad in Issurei Bi’ah (15:2) writes that it is because she will commit adultery, and thus produce mamzeirim.
The Chasam Sofer (E”H I, 17,19) asks: If so, why is a petzua daka on account of Heaven (thunder, hail or from birth) eligible to marry into the congregation, he also cannot father a child?
Shoel U’meishiv proves from this question that a petzua daka on account of Heaven can indeed father a child.
The Chinuch (559) offers a different reason: He says that it is to prevent people from destroying their organs of reproduction. It was common practice for the kings to cause their male servants to become sterile, and they would then be appointed as the guards for the women. Some people would do this to themselves in order to become a servant of the king. The Torah prohibited a petzua daka from marrying into the congregation; this served as a deterrent for these people. It is now understandable why there is a distinction between a petzua daka by human intervention, or one that came about because of Heaven.
What is the reasoning behind this prohibition?
The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim writes that it is because his cohabitation is meaningless since he cannot father a child. Furthermore, his wife will be seduced by other men; she will be a stumbling block for others.
The Raavad in Issurei Bi’ah (15:2) writes that it is because she will commit adultery, and thus produce mamzeirim.
The Chasam Sofer (E”H I, 17,19) asks: If so, why is a petzua daka on account of Heaven (thunder, hail or from birth) eligible to marry into the congregation, he also cannot father a child?
Shoel U’meishiv proves from this question that a petzua daka on account of Heaven can indeed father a child.
The Chinuch (559) offers a different reason: He says that it is to prevent people from destroying their organs of reproduction. It was common practice for the kings to cause their male servants to become sterile, and they would then be appointed as the guards for the women. Some people would do this to themselves in order to become a servant of the king. The Torah prohibited a petzua daka from marrying into the congregation; this served as a deterrent for these people. It is now understandable why there is a distinction between a petzua daka by human intervention, or one that came about because of Heaven.
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